The drive from Tampa, FL to Surfside, FL covers 275.8 miles and takes about 5h 11m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 75, Port Everglades Expressway, Lee Roy Selmon Expressway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mostly highway.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 237 miles on I 75.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $42.65 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
137.9 miles from Tampa, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
237 mi
4h 14m
Port Everglades Expressway
12.4 mi
14m
Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
7.8 mi
9m
I 95
7 mi
8m
Collins Avenue
4.4 mi
10m
William Lehman Causeway
1.6 mi
2m
Ives Dairy Road
1.2 mi
2m
Biscayne Boulevard
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 237 mi, about 4h 14m
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
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Surfside, 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 15AToward 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 right at fork onto I 595
12 mi·14 min·Port Everglades Expressway
Exit 19Toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Springs, Fort LauderdaleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 10BToward I 95 South: MiamiUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward I 95 South: Miami
14
Merge onto I 95
7.0 mi·8 min·I 95
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·57 sec
Exit 16Toward Northeast 203rd Street, Ives Dairy RoadUse the slight right lane.
16
Turn left onto Ives Dairy Road
1.2 mi·2 min·Ives Dairy Road
Use the left lane.
17
Turn right onto US 1
0.6 mi·1 min·Biscayne Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
18
Turn left onto SR 856
1.6 mi·2 min·William Lehman Causeway
Use the left lane.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward SR A1A SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn straight onto SR A1A
4.4 mi·10 min·Collins Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Continue on SR A1A
0.6 mi·1 min·Harding Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
22
Turn right onto 92nd Street
0.2 mi·41 sec·92nd Street
23
Turn left onto Carlyle Avenue
459 ft·20 sec·Carlyle Avenue
24
Arrive at destination
Carlyle Avenue
Trip Plan
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 137.9 miles from Tampa, FL, or about 2h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 237 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 61 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137.9 miles or 2h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Surfside, 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 275.8 miles and 5h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 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 237 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 266.5 — 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.
9
246.2 mi into trip|~4h 26m in|I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 19
Toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Spr...
7
258.6 mi into trip|~4h 40m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South: Miami
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 10B
Toward I 95 South: Miami
8
266.5 mi into trip|~4h 50m in
Take the exit toward Northeast 203rd Street, Ives Dairy Road
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 16
Toward Northeast 203rd Street, Ives Dairy Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.65 one way
$85.30 round trip
$3.93/gal25.4 MPG avg97 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.30
$46.71
$93.42
premium
$4.63
$50.23
$100.46
diesel
$5.60
$60.80
$121.59
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
$43
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82.7
1
$28.96
$13.24
Efficient EV
69
0
$24.13
$11.03
EV Truck/SUV
110.3
1
$38.61
$17.65
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Sep 1, 2026
Origin
Tampa, FL
Late night
in Tampa on Saturday
Local time
5:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
92°F
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
N 6 mph65% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Surfside, FL
Late night
in Surfside on Saturday
Local time
5:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
E 7 mph47% chanceLive forecast
75°F
Harlem Heights, FL
138 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
2 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
5h 11m 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...
Within sight of Miami, yet worlds away, Biscayne protects a rare combination of aquamarine waters, emerald islands, and fish-bejeweled coral reefs. Evidence of 10,000 years of human history is here to...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 275.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
275.8 mi in 5h 11m, mostly highway — 237 mi of that is on I 75.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 237 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Port Everglades 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 Effort9/10
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 21 significant decision points across 275.8 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 246.2 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
39 ft2 ft
Total Climb
41 ft
Total Descent
53 ft
Highest Point
39 ft
~19.7 mi in
Elevation Range
36 ft
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 Surfside, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Lauderdale along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 11m. Total distance: 275.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 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 237 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.
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 Surfside, 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: 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 246.2 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — De Soto National Memorial and Biscayne National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Surfside, FL before the return drive.
