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Trip from Tampa, FL to Washington Park, FL

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 48m

Distance

262.3 mi

422 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$42

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 35m ★
6 AM
4h 49m
8 AM
5h 16m
10 AM
4h 58m
12 PM
4h 56m
3 PM
5h 0m
5 PM
5h 14m
8 PM
4h 41m

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

Downtown Washington Park, FL, FL

Washington Park, FL

DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ

Trip Overview

This 262.3-mile drive from Tampa to Washington Park, Florida, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 48 minutes. You'll primarily be on major highways, with 98% of the route utilizing them, making it a focused, highway-centric journey. The estimated fuel cost is around $42, which is quite reasonable for this distance. While there's one recommended stop, the longest uninterrupted stretch is a substantial 237 miles on I-75, so plan your breaks accordingly. This straightforward trip through Florida offers a practical way to cover ground efficiently.

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

131.1 miles from Tampa, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 23m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 75 237 mi 4h 14m
Port Everglades Expressway 9 mi 10m
Lee Roy Selmon Expressway 7.8 mi 9m
Florida's Turnpike 2.9 mi 3m
West Sunrise Boulevard 1.8 mi 3m
East Jackson Street 0.5 mi 1m
SR 84 0.4 mi <1m
Northwest 8th Road 0.3 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 75 — 237 mi, about 4h 14m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Tampa, FL and Washington Park, 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 right at fork onto I 595

9.0 mi · 10 min · Port Everglades Expressway
Exit 19 Toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 18 sec
Exit 8; 9A-B Toward US 441: Orlando, Miami, Florida's Turnpike Use the slight right lane.
13

Turn straight onto SR 84

0.4 mi · 37 sec · SR 84
Toward SR 84 East, I 595 East, US 441: Florida's Turnpike, North Orlando, South Miami
14

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 46 sec
Exit 8 Toward Florida's Turnpike, Miami South, Orlando North Use the straight / right lanes.
15

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Merge onto Florida's Turnpike

2.9 mi · 3 min · Florida's Turnpike
17

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 58 sec
Exit 58A Toward SR 838 East: Sunrise Boulevard Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Turn straight onto SR 838

1.8 mi · 3 min · West Sunrise Boulevard
19

Turn right onto Northwest 31st Avenue

0.2 mi · 31 sec · Northwest 31st Avenue
20

Turn left onto Northwest 8th Road

0.3 mi · 1 min · Northwest 8th Road
21

Turn left

52 ft · 3 sec
22

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the 4-hour and 48-minute duration, this drive is easily manageable as a single-day trip. Aim to depart early to maximize daylight and allow for flexibility with your single recommended stop. The longest stretch is 237 miles on I-75, so be sure to have ample fuel before embarking on that segment. With a fuel cost estimated at $42, budgeting is straightforward. This route is all about efficiency, so focus on staying comfortable and well-rested for the highway miles.

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 131.1 miles from Tampa, FL, or about 2h 23m 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 58 miles or 1h 4m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 131.1 miles or 2h 23m 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 53m

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

+

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 262.3 miles and 4h 48m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 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.

Downtown Punta Gorda, FL, FL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Punta Gorda, FL

131 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

Lake Sarasota, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 58 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lehigh Acres, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 131.1 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 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 237 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 19

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 256.2 — 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.
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...
8
255.2 mi into trip | ~4h 36m in

Take the exit toward US 441: Orlando, Miami, Florida's Turnpike

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 8; 9A-B Toward US 441: Orlando, Miami, Florida's Turnpi...
7
255.8 mi into trip | ~4h 37m in

Take the ramp toward Florida's Turnpike, Miami South, Orlando North

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / right lanes. Exit 8 Toward Florida's Turnpike, Miami South, Orlando...
8
256.2 mi into trip | ~4h 38m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$41.75 one way

$83.50 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 92 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.40 $45.42 $90.83
premium $4.72 $48.77 $97.55
diesel $5.61 $57.91 $115.83

Estimated Tolls: $0.99

Selmon Expressway (7.8 mi) $0.78
Florida's Turnpike (2.9 mi) $0.21

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

$42

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: 91.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 78.7 0 $27.54 $12.59
Efficient EV 65.6 0 $22.95 $10.49
EV Truck/SUV 104.9 1 $36.72 $16.79

Gas CO2

92 kg

EV CO2

31 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.

Forecast as of Apr 14, 2026

Origin

Tampa, FL

Afternoon in Tampa on Sunday

Local time

4:21 PM

EDT

Current temp

63°F

Mostly Clear

E 7 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Rip Current Statement

Rip Current Statement issued April 14 at 4:28PM EDT until April 16 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL

Rip Current Statement

Rip Current Statement issued April 14 at 12:29PM EDT until April 15 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL

Destination

Washington Park, FL

Afternoon in Washington Park on Sunday

Local time

4:21 PM

EDT

Current temp

68°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

5 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 48m 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

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...

9 mi from route ~23 min detour Free near mile 36.2
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 98% of your travel occurring on high-speed roads like I-75, the Port Everglades Expressway, and the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway. This means consistent speeds and minimal time spent navigating local streets. The drive is characterized by a long, uninterrupted segment of 237 miles on I-75, suggesting a steady pace for a significant portion of your journey. While not a scenic tour, it's efficient for covering distance quickly within the state of Florida.

98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 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?

8/10

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 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 19 significant decision points across 262.3 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 246.2 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 255.2 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 Washington Park, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Lauderdale along the way.

Fort Lauderdale

246.2 mi in | ~4h 26m | via I 595

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 48m. Total distance: 262.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 48m 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 237 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $0.99 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 Washington Park, 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 246.2 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 255.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — De Soto National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Washington Park, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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