Tamarac to Tampa is 257.9 miles and takes about 4h 45m via I 75 and Lee Roy Selmon Expressway, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, taking you from one major metropolitan area to another. Expect a predominantly highway experience, making it a straightforward drive. With a single recommended day, this route is well-suited for a quick hop across the state, minimizing travel time and maximizing time at your destination. It's a practical choice for getting from South Florida to the Gulf Coast efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
129 miles from Tamarac, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
236 mi
4h 13m
Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
7.8 mi
9m
Sawgrass Expressway
5.3 mi
6m
West Commercial Boulevard
2.7 mi
4m
North University Drive
1.3 mi
2m
East Kennedy Boulevard
0.4 mi
1m
Brookwood Boulevard
0.2 mi
<1m
I 595
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 236 mi, about 4h 13m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 110 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,230 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,836
Quietest
2 AM
~227 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tamarac, FL and Tampa, FL.
1
Start on Brookwood Boulevard
0.2 mi·35 sec·Brookwood Boulevard
2
Turn left onto SR 817
1.3 mi·2 min·North University Drive
Use the left lane.
3
Turn right onto West Commercial Boulevard
2.7 mi·4 min·West Commercial Boulevard
Use the right lane.
4
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward SR 869 Toll South: Miami, Sawgrass Expressway
5
Merge onto SR 869 Toll
5.3 mi·6 min·Sawgrass Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
1.0 mi·2 min
Toward I 75 North: Alligator Alley, NaplesUse the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto I 595
0.1 mi·7 sec·I 595
8
Merge onto I 75
236 mi·4 hr 13 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
2.4 mi·2 min
Exit 256Toward FL 618 Toll West, Selmon Expressway West: Tampa, Port of TampaUse the slight right lane.
10
Continue on FL 618 Toll
7.8 mi·9 min·Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 8Toward FL 60: Kennedy Boulevard, Downtown - EastUse the slight right lane.
12
Turn straight onto US 41 Business; FL 60
0.4 mi·1 min·East Kennedy Boulevard
13
Arrive at destination
FL 60
Trip Plan
Leaving Tamarac in the morning, ideally before peak traffic, will set you up for a smooth 4h 45m drive. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to depart later if needed. Plan for one stop to stretch your legs and refuel, especially given the 236-mile stretch on I 75. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach Tampa; gas prices can vary, and the $41 budget is an estimate. The high highway share means you can maintain a steady speed, but be prepared for the numerous exits as you get closer to your destination.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 129 miles from Tamarac, FL, or about 2h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 236 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 57 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 129 miles or 2h 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tampa, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Tamarac, FL so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Tamarac, FL
This is one driving day of about 257.9 miles and 4h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Tamarac, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 236 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.5 and 257.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.5 mi into trip|~3m in|West Commercial Boulevard
Turn right onto West Commercial Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
4.1 mi into trip|~7m in
Take the exit toward SR 869 Toll South: Miami, Sawgrass Expressway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward SR 869 Toll South: Miami, Sawgrass Expre...
7
10 mi into trip|~15m in
Take the exit toward I 75 North: Alligator Alley, Naples
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 75 North: Alligator Alley, Naples
8
247.1 mi into trip|~4h 31m in
Take the exit toward FL 618 Toll West, Selmon Expressway West: Tampa, Port of Tampa
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 256
Toward FL 618 Toll West, Selmon Expressway West...
8
257.3 mi into trip|~4h 43m in
Take the exit toward FL 60: Kennedy Boulevard, Downtown - East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 8
Toward FL 60: Kennedy Boulevard, Downtown - Eas...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.04 one way
$78.08 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg90 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$42.84
$85.68
premium
$4.55
$46.20
$92.40
diesel
$4.80
$48.70
$97.39
Estimated Tolls: $1.21
Selmon Expressway
(7.8 mi)$0.78
Sawgrass Expressway
(5.3 mi)$0.43
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
77.4
0
$27.08
$12.38
Efficient EV
64.5
0
$22.57
$10.32
EV Truck/SUV
103.2
1
$36.11
$16.51
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Tamarac, FL
Late night
in Tamarac on Monday
Local time
2:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Partly Cloudy
S 5 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 17 at 3:45AM EDT until July 18 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Destination
Tampa, FL
Late night
in Tampa on Monday
Local time
2:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Partly Cloudy
SE 1 to 5 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 17 at 3:45AM EDT until July 18 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
3 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 45m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
De Soto National Memorial
National Memorial
In May 1539, Conquistador Hernando de Soto’s army of soldiers, hired mercenaries, craftsmen, and clergy made landfall in Tampa Bay. They were met with fierce resistance of indigenous people protecting...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 222.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is 97% highway, meaning you'll spend almost all of your time on the interstate. The longest stretch without needing to exit is a substantial 236 miles on I 75. Once you get off the main interstate, you'll transition to roads like the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway. The prevalence of highways means you can expect a consistent pace, but also a high number of exits and potential for merging traffic as you approach urban areas.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 236 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Lee Roy Selmon Expressway. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.5 miles in near West Commercial Boulevard.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 257.9 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles (West Commercial Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Tamarac is a city of 67,000 people (2019) in Broward County, Florida. It is a mostly residential suburb of Fort Lauderdale.
Development began in the early 1960s. The city was named after the Tamarac Country Club in nearby Oakland Park.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 45m. Total distance: 257.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 236 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.21 in tolls one way, starting with Selmon Expressway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 15 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Tampa, FL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 15 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles (West Commercial Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — De Soto National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Tampa, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
