Traveling from Winter Springs to Tampa covers 100.4 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 43 minutes. This trip is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, as it is short enough to avoid the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $16 for fuel to complete the journey. The route primarily traverses the central Florida region, moving from the suburban landscape of Winter Springs into the bustling Tampa metropolitan area. Because the drive is relatively brief, you have the flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule rather than worrying about mid-trip fatigue.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
49.3 miles from Winter Springs, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 4
85.9 mi
1h 37m
US 17
4.4 mi
7m
US 17 Truck
2.2 mi
3m
Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
1.5 mi
2m
FL 434
1.2 mi
2m
East Kennedy Boulevard
0.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 4
— 85.9 mi, about 1h 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Winter Springs, FL and Tampa, FL.
1
Start on this road
150 ft·13 sec·this road
2
At end of road, turn right onto FL 434
1.2 mi·2 min·FL 434
3
Turn left onto US 17; US 92
0.3 mi·32 sec·US 17; US 92
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on US 17; US 92
2.3 mi·4 min·US 17; US 92
5
Continue on US 17; US 92
1.8 mi·3 min·US 17; US 92
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on US 17; US 92
217 ft·4 sec·US 17; US 92
7
Turn slight right onto US 17 Truck; US 92 Truck
2.2 mi·3 min·US 17 Truck; US 92 Truck
Use the right lane.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward I 4 West: Orlando, TampaUse the slight left lane.
9
Merge onto I 4
4.6 mi·6 min·I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 84BToward Ivanhoe BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
11
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·1 min·this road
Toward I 4 West: Tampa
12
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·34 sec·this road
Toward I 4 West: Tampa
13
Merge onto I 4
81 mi·1 hr 31 min·I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.7 mi·59 sec
Exit 2Toward FL 618 Toll: Port of Tampa, West Selmon Expressway TollUse the straight / slight left lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·33 sec
Toward Downtown, West Selmonm Expressway TollUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·43 sec
Toward Downtown, West Selmon Expressway Toll
17
Merge onto FL 618 Toll
1.5 mi·2 min·Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 8Toward FL 60: Kennedy Boulevard, Downtown - EastUse the slight right lane.
19
Turn straight onto US 41 Business; FL 60
0.4 mi·1 min·East Kennedy Boulevard
20
Arrive at destination
FL 60
Trip Plan
To ensure a smooth trip, keep in mind that this 100.4-mile trek is best handled in one go since there are no formal stops required. Because the drive relies on local roads rather than high-speed interstates, traffic patterns on Ivanhoe Boulevard and FL 618 can significantly impact your travel time, so check local conditions before pulling out of your driveway. While you only need $16 for gas, filling up before you leave Winter Springs can save you the hassle of finding a station once you hit the tighter, more congested sections of the route. Use the inherent flexibility of this short drive to depart during off-peak hours, which will make maneuvering through the turn-heavy segments much less stressful.
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 49.3 miles from Winter Springs, FL, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85.9 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 22 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.3 miles or 1h 3m 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tampa, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Winter Springs, 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 Winter Springs, FL
This is one driving day of about 98.6 miles and 2h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Winter Springs, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 4 for about 85.9 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 7.8 and 98 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
7.8 mi into trip|~14m in
Take the exit toward I 4 West: Orlando, Tampa
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 4 West: Orlando, Tampa
7
12.8 mi into trip|~21m in
Take the exit toward Ivanhoe Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 84B
Toward Ivanhoe Boulevard
8
95.2 mi into trip|~1h 55m in
Take the exit toward FL 618 Toll: Port of Tampa, West Selmon Expressway Toll
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 2
Toward FL 618 Toll: Port of Tampa, West Selmon...
8
95.9 mi into trip|~1h 56m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Downtown, West Selmonm Expressway Toll
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Downtown, West Selmonm Expressway Toll
8
98 mi into trip|~1h 59m in
Take the exit toward FL 60: Kennedy Boulevard, Downtown - East
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
Toward FL 60: Kennedy Boulevard, Downtown - Eas...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.69 one way
$31.39 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg35 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$17.07
$34.15
premium
$4.72
$18.33
$36.67
diesel
$5.61
$21.77
$43.54
Estimated Tolls: $0.15
Selmon Expressway
(1.5 mi)$0.15
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
$16
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
29.6
0
$10.35
$4.73
Efficient EV
24.7
0
$8.63
$3.94
EV Truck/SUV
39.4
0
$13.80
$6.31
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (65% 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 20, 2026
Origin
Winter Springs, FL
Late night
in Winter Springs on Tuesday
Local time
4:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tampa, FL
Late night
in Tampa on Tuesday
Local time
4:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
83°F
Lake Butler, FL
49 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
17 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
2h 1m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straightforward interstate haul. You will navigate via I-4 West, Ivanhoe Boulevard, and FL 618, which keeps the experience varied and requires more active attention than a monotonous highway cruise. Since the highway share is 0%, your time behind the wheel will be spent navigating local roads, meaning there are no long, uninterrupted stretches of interstate driving. This route demands constant engagement, making it feel less like a passive transit and more like a deliberate navigation through the local landscape.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 85.9 mi on I 4.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 4 and US 17. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.8 miles in.
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 12 significant decision points across 98.6 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 7.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 95.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 1m. Total distance: 98.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 85.9 miles on I 4. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.15 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.
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 Tampa, 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 7.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 95.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Tampa, FL before heading back.
