Traveling from Tampa to Azalea Park is a straightforward 89.2-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 44 minutes. Because this is a quick trip across Central Florida, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily utilize I-4 for the majority of the distance, transitioning onto the East-West Expressway and Lake Underhill Road as you approach your destination. With an estimated fuel cost of just $15, it is a very budget-friendly transit between these two Florida locations. This drive is best viewed as a practical connection rather than a scenic excursion, making it ideal for those looking to reach the Orlando area efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
44.6 miles from Tampa, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 4
81.4 mi
1h 31m
East-West Expressway
3.1 mi
3m
Lake Underhill Road
1.2 mi
2m
I 275
0.7 mi
1m
North Ashley Drive
0.3 mi
<1m
Oxalis Drive
0.1 mi
<1m
East Kennedy Boulevard
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 4
— 81.4 mi, about 1h 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tampa, FL and Azalea Park, FL.
1
Start on FL 60
400 ft·17 sec·East Kennedy Boulevard
2
Turn right onto North Ashley Drive
0.3 mi·49 sec·North Ashley Drive
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 275
4
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·20 sec
Toward I 275 NorthUse the slight right lane.
5
Merge onto I 275
0.7 mi·1 min·I 275
6
Take the exit
0.5 mi·42 sec
Exit 45BToward I 4 East: OrlandoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 4
61 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 4
13 mi·16 min·I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 4
7.1 mi·8 min·I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 82Toward FL 408: Ocoee, TitusvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·41 sec·this road
Exit 82AToward FL 408
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward FL 408 Toll East: TitusvilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto FL 408 Toll
3.1 mi·3 min·East-West Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Exit 14Toward Andes Avenue, Semoran BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on CR 526
1.2 mi·2 min·Lake Underhill Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
16
Turn left onto Oxalis Drive
0.1 mi·20 sec·Oxalis Drive
Use the left lane.
17
Arrive at destination
Oxalis Drive
Trip Plan
Since this route is a short, sub-two-hour drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. However, given that you are relying on I-4 for over 81 miles, try to avoid peak rush hours to ensure you keep your travel time close to the 1 hour and 44-minute estimate. You likely won't need to plan for formal stops, as the duration is manageable for most drivers without a break. Keep your $15 fuel budget in mind, but remember that traffic density on the interstate can vary significantly throughout the day. A smart tip for this specific route is to keep a close eye on GPS updates once you hit the East-West Expressway, as the final transition into Azalea Park involves navigating local arterial roads that can be sensitive to minor traffic delays.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 44.6 miles from Tampa, FL, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 81.4 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 20 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.6 miles or 50m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Azalea Park, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Tampa, FL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Tampa, FL
This is one driving day of about 89.2 miles and 1h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Tampa, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 4 for about 81.4 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 87.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
0.6 mi into trip|~1m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 275 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 275 North
7
1.5 mi into trip|~2m in
Take the exit toward I 4 East: Orlando
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 45B
Toward I 4 East: Orlando
8
83.3 mi into trip|~1h 35m in
Take the exit toward FL 408: Ocoee, Titusville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 82
Toward FL 408: Ocoee, Titusville
7
83.8 mi into trip|~1h 36m in
Keep slight right at fork toward FL 408 Toll East: Titusville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward FL 408 Toll East: Titusville
8
87.4 mi into trip|~1h 41m in
Take the exit toward Andes Avenue, Semoran Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 14
Toward Andes Avenue, Semoran Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.20 one way
$28.40 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$15.44
$30.89
premium
$4.72
$16.59
$33.17
diesel
$5.61
$19.69
$39.39
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.8
0
$9.37
$4.28
Efficient EV
22.3
0
$7.81
$3.57
EV Truck/SUV
35.7
0
$12.49
$5.71
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Tampa, FL
Evening
in Tampa on Sunday
Local time
5:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Azalea Park, FL
Evening
in Azalea Park on Sunday
Local time
5:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
81°F
Polk City, FL
45 mi in
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
1h 44m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a high-speed, highway-focused experience, as 96% of this route consists of major thoroughfares. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-4, which accounts for a significant 81.4-mile stretch of the trip. The drive maintains a consistent, fast-paced rhythm that is typical of Florida's primary interstate arteries. While the character of the road is heavily utilitarian, the transition from the interstate to the East-West Expressway and finally onto local roads like Lake Underhill Road provides a clear shift from regional transit to suburban arrival. Prepare for a steady, focused drive where the primary goal is covering ground quickly.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 81.4 mi on I 4.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 4 and East-West Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 89.2 miles you will encounter 12 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 0.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 1.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 83.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Tampa, FL to Azalea Park, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Titusville along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 44m. Total distance: 89.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 81.4 miles on I 4. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Azalea Park, FL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 1.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 83.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Azalea Park, FL before heading back.
