Tampa, FL to Midway, FL is 109.6 miles and takes about 2h 11m via I 4, with a fuel budget near $17 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, beginning in the Tampa Bay area and heading north. Given its relatively short duration and highway-focused profile, this route is well-suited for a single-day journey. You'll spend the vast majority of your time on major roadways, making for a straightforward drive. Plan for this to be a practical, no-frills transit between these two points.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
54.8 miles from Tampa, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 4
99.7 mi
1h 53m
Hugh Ellis Thomas Junior Parkway
4.6 mi
8m
West 25th Street
2.5 mi
4m
I 275
0.7 mi
1m
North Ashley Drive
0.3 mi
<1m
Sipes Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
H.E. Thomas Jr. Parkway
0.1 mi
<1m
East Kennedy Boulevard
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 4
— 99.7 mi, about 1h 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tampa, FL and Midway, 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
25 mi·30 min·I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·56 sec
Exit 101AToward CR 46A: Sanford, HeathrowUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
210 ft·5 sec
Toward CR 46A East: Rinehart Road North, Sanford, Hugh Ellis Thomas Junior Parkway, Lake MaryUse the right lane.
12
Continue on CR 46A
2.8 mi·5 min·Hugh Ellis Thomas Junior Parkway
13
Continue on CR 46A
0.1 mi·12 sec·H.E. Thomas Jr. Parkway
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on CR 46A
1.8 mi·3 min·Hugh Ellis Thomas Junior Parkway
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on FL 46
2.5 mi·4 min·West 25th Street
16
Turn left onto Sipes Avenue
0.3 mi·36 sec·Sipes Avenue
Use the left lane.
17
Arrive at destination
Sipes Avenue
Trip Plan
With a drive time of just over two hours and a fuel cost estimated at $17, this is a very manageable same-day trip. You have the flexibility to depart at your convenience, but leaving mid-morning should allow you to arrive with ample daylight. Since the longest stretch is nearly 100 miles on I 4, ensure you have sufficient fuel before embarking on that segment. While there are no designated stops mentioned, keep an eye out for service areas along I 4 as needed. The final approach via West 25th Street might involve more local traffic, so stay alert.
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 54.8 miles from Tampa, FL, or about 1h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.7 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 24 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 54.8 miles or 1h 1m 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 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Midway, 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 109.6 miles and 2h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 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 99.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 54.8 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 I 4 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 102.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|North Ashley Drive
Turn right onto North Ashley Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
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
101.6 mi into trip|~1h 57m in
Take the exit toward CR 46A: Sanford, Heathrow
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 101A
Toward CR 46A: Sanford, Heathrow
8
102.1 mi into trip|~1h 58m in
Keep slight right at fork toward CR 46A East: Rinehart Road North, Sanford, Hugh Ellis Thomas Junior Parkway, Lake Mary
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward CR 46A East: Rinehart Road North, Sanfor...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.45 one way
$34.89 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg38 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$18.98
$37.95
premium
$4.72
$20.38
$40.76
diesel
$5.61
$24.20
$48.40
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
32.9
0
$11.51
$5.26
Efficient EV
27.4
0
$9.59
$4.38
EV Truck/SUV
43.8
0
$15.34
$7.01
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (66% 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
Morning
in Tampa on Sunday
Local time
6:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
91°F
Sunny
SSW 6 mph0% chanceLive 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
Midway, FL
Morning
in Midway on Sunday
Local time
6:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
83°F
Lake Butler, FL
55 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
31 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
2h 11m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Canaveral National Seashore
National Seashore
Discover a dynamic barrier island shaped by dunes, coastal hammocks, and Mosquito Lagoon. Walk among ancient Timucua shell mounds and connect with thousands of years of human history. Immerse yourself...
29 mi from route
~72 min detour
$25
near mile 109.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is heavily highway-focused, with 96% of the route utilizing major roadways like I 4. You'll encounter a long, uninterrupted stretch of 99.7 miles on I 4, indicating a consistent pace for most of your journey. The inclusion of Hugh Ellis Thomas Junior Parkway and West 25th Street suggests a transition onto more local roads closer to your destination, but the primary character remains that of a fast-paced highway transit. Expect minimal slowdowns and a focus on efficient travel.
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: 99.7 mi on I 4.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 4 and Hugh Ellis Thomas Junior Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near North Ashley Drive.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 109.6 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 0.1 miles (North Ashley Drive): Lane positioning matters here; 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.
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 Midway, FL, road signs point toward Cr 46A: Sanford, Heathrow, Cr 46A East: Rinehart Road North, Sanford and Lake Mary.
Cr 46A: Sanford
101.6 mi in|~1h 57m
Heathrow
101.6 mi in|~1h 57m
Cr 46A East: Rinehart Road North
102.1 mi in|~1h 58m
Sanford
102.1 mi in|~1h 58m
Lake Mary
102.1 mi in|~1h 58m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 11m. Total distance: 109.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 11m 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 99.7 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 Midway, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (North Ashley Drive): Lane positioning matters here; 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.
Yes — Canaveral National Seashore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Midway, FL before heading back.
