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Trip from Tampa, FL to Harlem, FL

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 31m

Distance

166.1 mi

267 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

Good

6 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 19m ★
6 AM
3h 31m
8 AM
3h 56m
10 AM
3h 40m
12 PM
3h 37m
3 PM
3h 41m
5 PM
3h 54m
8 PM
3h 24m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Florida, United States

Tampa, FL

Wikimedia Commons

neighborhood in Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States

Harlem, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 166.1-mile drive from Tampa to Harlem, Florida, is a straightforward, highway-focused trip that can easily be completed in a single day. Expect to spend about 3 hours and 31 minutes on the road, navigating primarily via US 27 and I-4, with a brief section on FL 60. With a fuel cost estimated at $26, this route offers a budget-friendly excursion. Given its relatively short duration and highway-centric profile, it's well-suited for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure time and pace. You'll be staying within the state of Florida for this entire journey.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

83 miles from Tampa, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 43m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 27 103.2 mi 2h 10m
I 4 25.8 mi 28m
FL 60 14.8 mi 18m
Polk Parkway 9.4 mi 10m
Bartow Road 6.9 mi 9m
Lewis Boulevard 1.1 mi 2m
I 275 0.7 mi 1m
Broadway Avenue 0.6 mi 1m
Longest stretch: US 27 — 103.2 mi, about 2h 10m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Tampa, FL and Harlem, 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 North Use 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 45B Toward I 4 East: Orlando Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
7

Continue on I 4

26 mi · 28 min · I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 55 sec
Exit 27 Toward FL 570 Toll East: Lakeland, Winter Haven Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Continue on FL 570 Toll

9.4 mi · 10 min · Polk Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 56 sec
Exit 10 Toward US 98: Lakeland, Bartow Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Turn right onto US 98

6.9 mi · 9 min · Bartow Road
Use the right lane.
12

Continue on US 98

0.6 mi · 1 min · Broadway Avenue
13

Turn left onto US 98; FL 60

0.5 mi · 1 min · Van Fleet Drive
Use the left lane.
14

Continue on FL 60

0.3 mi · 26 sec · FL 60
15

Continue on FL 60

11 mi · 13 min · FL 60
Use the straight lane.
16

Continue on FL 60

3.7 mi · 4 min · FL 60
17

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Toward US 27: Haines City, Avon Park Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Keep slight right at fork

272 ft · 7 sec
19

Merge onto US 27

23 mi · 28 min · US 27
Use the left lane.
20

Continue on US 27; US 98

10 mi · 14 min · US 27; US 98
Use the left lane.
21

Continue on US 27; US 98

55 mi · 1 hr 7 min · US 27; US 98
Use the left lane.
22

Merge onto US 27; FL 78

0.2 mi · 18 sec · US 27; FL 78
23

Turn slight right

338 ft · 4 sec
24

Continue on US 27

15 mi · 19 min · US 27
25

Turn right onto Lewis Boulevard

1.1 mi · 2 min · Lewis Boulevard
Use the right lane.
26

Turn right onto 13th Street

0.1 mi · 22 sec · 13th Street
27

Turn left onto Harlem Academy Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · Harlem Academy Avenue
28

Turn left onto 10th Street

89 ft · 3 sec · 10th Street
29

Arrive at destination

10th Street

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 166.1-mile drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize your daylight hours and avoid potential traffic, especially on I-4. With a total duration of just over 3.5 hours, you can comfortably complete this trip in one day without needing an overnight stop. Plan for one primary stop to refuel or stretch your legs, perhaps around the halfway point of your longest stretch on US 27. The fuel cost is estimated at a reasonable $26, so keep an eye on your gauge, especially before heading into longer stretches. Remember that 93% of this drive is on highways, so be prepared for consistent speeds.

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 83 miles from Tampa, FL, or about 1h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 103.2 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 37 miles or 43m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 83 miles or 1h 43m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 51m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Harlem, 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.

+

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 Tampa, FL

This is one driving day of about 166.1 miles and 3h 31m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Tampa, 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 US 27 for about 103.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

human settlement in Polk County, Florida, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Frostproof, FL

83 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Lakeland, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Sebring, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 83 miles from Tampa, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 27 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 103.2 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop

Retro House Coffee Bar & Asian Bistro

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tampa, Florida

Near the start, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 7:30 am–9 pm

+18138125025

Visit website

Best coffee break

The Lab Coffee - West Tampa

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tampa, Florida

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

Visit website

Elevation Coffee Heights

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tampa, Florida

1 mi

DI Coffee Bar

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tampa, Florida

1.4 mi

Retro House Coffee Bar & Asian Bistro

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 7:30 am–9 pm

+18138125025

Visit website

The Lab Coffee - West Tampa

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

Visit website

Elevation Coffee Heights

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

Visit website

DI Coffee Bar

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+18139155998

Visit website

22nd Street Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+18133040373

Visit website

Lake Wales Latte Lounge Coffee and Bookshop

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Lake Wales, Florida

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+18632968827

Visit website

Concord Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10

Lakeland, Florida

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Visit website

The Lab Coffee - Heights

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+18138436588

Visit website

Black & Brew

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 3 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Lakeland, Florida

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+18635009500

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour

Avon Park, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Tesla Destination Charger

2.6 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Sebring, Florida

+18633861000

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Bartow, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Bartow, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

1.6 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Halfway reset 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Sebring, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

Tesla Destination Charger

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

Halfway reset 4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour

Sebring, Florida

+18636557200

Visit website

Magic Carpet Glide

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+18136379797

Visit website

Perry Harvey Sr. Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+18132748615

Visit website

The Florida Aquarium

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18132734000

Visit website

Iconic Tampa Bay

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+18132183498

Visit website

Bonnet Springs Park

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

Early stretch 3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour

Lakeland, Florida

Hours: 6 am–7:30 pm

+18637327000

Visit website

Cracker Country

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

First break 4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour

Tampa, Florida

+18136274225

Visit website

Epps Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+18132745161

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 17

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 60.8 — 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
27.7 mi into trip | ~32m in

Take the exit toward FL 570 Toll East: Lakeland, Winter Haven

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 27 Toward FL 570 Toll East: Lakeland, Winter Haven
8
37.6 mi into trip | ~44m in

Take the exit toward US 98: Lakeland, Bartow

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 10 Toward US 98: Lakeland, Bartow
7
60.8 mi into trip | ~1h 15m in

Take the exit toward US 27: Haines City, Avon Park

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. Toward US 27: Haines City, Avon Park

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$26.44 one way

$52.88 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 58 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.40 $28.76 $57.52
premium $4.72 $30.89 $61.77
diesel $5.61 $36.67 $73.35

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$26

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$51–$76

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 58.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 49.8 0 $17.44 $7.97
Efficient EV 41.5 0 $14.53 $6.64
EV Truck/SUV 66.4 0 $23.25 $10.63

Gas CO2

58 kg

EV CO2

19 kg (67% 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 17, 2026

Origin

Tampa, FL

Late night in Tampa on Tuesday

Local time

5:10 AM

EDT

Current temp

91°F

Sunny

SSW 6 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Fire Weather Watch

Fire Weather Watch issued April 17 at 2:19PM EDT until April 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL

Fire Weather Watch

Fire Weather Watch issued April 17 at 2:19PM EDT until April 20 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL

Destination

Harlem, FL

Late night in Harlem on Tuesday

Local time

5:10 AM

EDT

Current temp

88°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

3h 31m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

This route is predominantly a highway experience, with 93% of the drive taking place on high-speed roads. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 103.2 miles on US 27, which sets a consistent pace for a significant portion of your journey. While largely highway-focused, the inclusion of US 27 and FL 60 means you'll experience a mix of interstate speeds and potentially slightly slower, but still efficient, highway driving. The drive's character remains largely consistent, making it a predictable and efficient transit.

93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 103.2 mi on US 27.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 27 and I 4. 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 Effort 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 166.1 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

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 27.7 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.

Between Tampa, FL and Harlem, FL, road signs point toward Winter Haven, Bartow and Avon Park.

Winter Haven

27.7 mi in | ~32m

Bartow

37.6 mi in | ~44m

Avon Park

60.8 mi in | ~1h 15m

About the Cities

Starting in Tampa, FL

Full guide →

The city of Tampa is the county seat of Hillsborough County and the largest city on Florida's West Coast.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 31m. Total distance: 166.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 103.2 miles on US 27. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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 Harlem, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

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 27.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Harlem, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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