10270
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Tampa, FL to Sunshine Ranches, FL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 40m
Distance
254.8 mi
410 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 27m
★
6 AM
4h 40m
8 AM
5h 7m
10 AM
4h 50m
12 PM
4h 47m
3 PM
4h 51m
5 PM
5h 6m
8 PM
4h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tampa, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Sunshine Ranches, FL
Gerzon Piñata
Trip Overview
Tampa to Sunshine Ranches is 254.8 miles and takes about 4h 40m via I 75, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within Florida, primarily utilizing I 75 for the bulk of the journey. Given its high percentage of highway driving, expect a straightforward and efficient trip. It's a feasible one-day drive, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.
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
127.4 miles from Tampa, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 19m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 242.3 mi | 4h 19m |
| Lee Roy Selmon Expressway | 7.8 mi | 9m |
| Southwest 148th Avenue | 1.3 mi | 3m |
| Stirling Road | 1 mi | 2m |
| East Jackson Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Griffin Road | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Southwest 136th Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| North Nebraska Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 242.3 mi, about 4h 19m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 110 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~3,227 veh/hr typical · worst 3,952
Quietest
2 AM
~229 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 104 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 Tampa, FL and Sunshine Ranches, FL.
1
Start on FL 60
118 ft
·
10 sec
·
East Kennedy Boulevard
2
Turn left onto US 41 Business
296 ft
·
12 sec
·
North Tampa Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
3
Turn left onto US 41 Business; FL 60
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East Jackson Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
Keep slight left at fork onto East Jackson Street
69 ft
·
3 sec
·
East Jackson Street
5
Turn left onto North Nebraska Avenue
404 ft
·
9 sec
·
North Nebraska Avenue
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Toward FL 618 Toll East: Brandon
7
Merge onto FL 618 Toll
7.8 mi
·
9 min
·
Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 15A
Toward I 75 South: Naples
9
Merge onto I 75
56 mi
·
59 min
·
I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
181 mi
·
3 hr 14 min
·
I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
3.3 mi
·
3 min
·
I 75
Toward Miami
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 75
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 13A
Toward Griffin Road East
Use the right lane.
14
Turn straight onto Griffin Road
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
Griffin Road
15
Turn right onto Southwest 148th Avenue
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Southwest 148th Avenue
16
Turn left onto Stirling Road
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Stirling Road
17
Turn left onto Southwest 136th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
Southwest 136th Avenue
18
Arrive at destination
Southwest 136th Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 4h 40m drive, starting your trip in the morning will give you ample time to reach Sunshine Ranches with daylight to spare. The longest stretch on I 75 is over 240 miles, so plan for at least one fuel and rest stop, perhaps around the halfway point. With a total distance of 254.8 miles and a fuel cost estimated at $40, it's a manageable drive for a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you get closer to your destination, as services can sometimes be spread out on longer highway segments.
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 127.4 miles from Tampa, FL, or about 2h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 242.3 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 56 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 127.4 miles or 2h 19m 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 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sunshine Ranches, 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 254.8 miles and 4h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 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 I 75 for about 242.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
127 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 56 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 127.4 miles from Tampa, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 242.3 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.
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Hillsborough County Rest Area Northbound
0.1 mi from route
Collier County Rest Area Southbound
0.1 mi from route
Charlotte County Truck Stop Northbound
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Collier County Rest Area Southbound
0.2 mi from route
Hillsborough County Rest Area Southbound
0.2 mi from route
Big Cypress National Preserve Access Area Northbound
0.2 mi from route
Big Cypress National Preserve Access Area Southbound
0.2 mi from route
10280
0.2 mi from route
ONE9 Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Broward County Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.5 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 251.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 41 Business / North Tampa Street
Turn left onto US 41 Business / North Tampa Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 41 Business; FL 60 / East Jackson Street
Turn left onto US 41 Business; FL 60 / East Jackson Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
8.7 mi into trip
|
~11m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 75 South: Naples
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 15A
Toward I 75 South: Naples
7
246.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 26m in
|
I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward Miami
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Miami
7
251.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 32m in
Take the exit toward Griffin Road East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 13A
Toward Griffin Road East
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.97 one way
$81.94 round trip
$4.08/gal
25.4 MPG avg
89 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.44 | $44.56 | $89.12 |
| premium | $4.78 | $47.93 | $95.86 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $61.98 | $123.97 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.78
Selmon Expressway
(7.8 mi)
$0.78
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
$41
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 76.4 | 0 | $26.75 | $12.23 |
| Efficient EV | 63.7 | 0 | $22.30 | $10.19 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 101.9 | 1 | $35.67 | $16.31 |
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% 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.
Origin
Tampa, FL
Morning in Tampa on Tuesday
Local time
7:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Sunny
NE 13 to 16 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 2:34AM EDT until October 22 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 2:26AM EDT until October 22 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Destination
Sunshine Ranches, FL
Morning in Sunshine Ranches on Tuesday
Local time
7:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Mostly Sunny
NE 14 to 20 mph
13% chance
Live forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 2:34AM EDT until October 22 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 2:26AM EDT until October 22 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Jacksonville 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
4 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 40m 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
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 35.1
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 98% of the route on major roads. You'll spend most of your time on I 75, including a continuous stretch of 242.3 miles. The transition to surface roads, specifically Southwest 148th Avenue, will occur near the end of your trip. Expect frequent exits and merges as you navigate this primarily highway environment.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 242.3 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Lee Roy Selmon Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 41 Business / North Tampa Street.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 254.8 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: near the start (US 41 Business / North Tampa Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.1 miles (US 41 Business; FL 60 / East Jackson Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
33 ft
5 ft
Total Climb
34 ft
Total Descent
44 ft
Highest Point
33 ft
~72.8 mi in
Elevation Range
29 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Tampa, FL
Full guide →Founded 1823
The city of Tampa is the county seat of Hillsborough County and the largest city on Florida's West Coast.
Top landmarks
- • Busch Gardens Tampa — African-themed animal theme park in Tampa, Florida
- • Union Station — main railway station in Tampa, Florida, United States
- • Falcon's Fury — drop tower attraction located at the Busch Gardens Tampa amusement park
Arriving in Sunshine Ranches, FL
Full guide →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 4h 40m. Total distance: 254.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 242.3 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.78 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 Sunshine Ranches, 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: near the start (US 41 Business / North Tampa Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.1 miles (US 41 Business; FL 60 / East Jackson Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — De Soto National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Sunshine Ranches, 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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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