Drive Time
1h 23m
Distance
57.6 mi
93 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
Photo: Arian Fernandez
If you are looking for a quick getaway from the coastal charm of Anna Maria to the urban energy of Tampa, this 57.6-mile trip is an easy one-day excursion. You can expect to spend about 1 hour and 23 minutes behind the wheel, making it a perfect choice for a spontaneous day trip. With fuel costs estimated at around $10, it is an economical route that doesn't require an overnight stay. Your journey will take you from the relaxed beaches of the Florida coast into the heart of the Tampa region. Navigating this path is straightforward, utilizing a combination of Manatee Avenue, I-75, and the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway to get you to your destination efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
28.8 miles from Anna Maria, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 50m into the drive .
This mixed-drive route offers a distinct transition between local roads and high-speed transit. You will spend about 58% of your time on highways, providing a balanced experience that moves you quickly away from the coast. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 25.5 miles on I-75, which allows you to settle into a steady rhythm after navigating the initial local segments. As you progress from the quieter roads of Manatee Avenue onto the more robust interstate system and the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway, the character of the drive shifts from leisurely to fast-paced. It is a functional commute that prioritizes speed and directness over scenic winding roads.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.2 miles in near FL 64 / Manatee Avenue.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 57.6 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 3.2 miles (FL 64 / Manatee Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 19.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 21.3 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto FL 64 / Manatee Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward I 75 North: Tampa
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Merge onto I 75
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward FL 618 Toll West, Selmon Expressway West: Tampa, Port of Tampa
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
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
Between Anna Maria, FL and Tampa, FL, road signs point toward Selmon Expressway West: Tampa and Port Of Tampa.
Selmon Expressway West: Tampa
Port Of Tampa
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 25.5 mi | 28m |
| Manatee Avenue | 8.3 mi | 15m |
| Lee Roy Selmon Expressway | 7.8 mi | 9m |
| Tamiami Trail | 5.9 mi | 8m |
| Gulf Drive | 1.5 mi | 4m |
| 6th Avenue West | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| Marina Drive | 0.7 mi | 2m |
| Palm Drive | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Anna Maria, FL and Tampa, FL.
Start on this road
Turn right onto Pine Avenue
Turn left onto Gulf Drive
Continue on Palm Drive
Continue on Marina Drive
Turn left onto Gulf Drive
Turn left onto FL 64
Turn right onto FL 64
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 64
Turn left onto US 41; US 301
Continue on US 41; US 301
Continue on US 41; US 301
Continue on US 41
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 275
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 75
Take the exit
Continue on FL 618 Toll
Take the exit
Turn straight onto US 41 Business; FL 60
Arrive at destination
Because this is a short 1 hour and 23-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. However, since the route relies on major arteries like I-75, try to avoid peak commuting hours to ensure the trip stays within that estimated timeframe. You won't need to plan for any formal stops along the way given the relatively short distance, but keeping your fuel tank topped off before leaving Anna Maria will keep your budget simple. Since you are moving between regions, keep an eye on the transition from regional roads to the expressway, as traffic patterns change quickly near Tampa. Enjoy the convenience of a trip that gets you from the coast to the city center in under 60 miles.
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.
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 57.6 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 28.8 miles or 50m 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 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tampa, FL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Anna Maria, 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 Anna Maria, FL
This is one driving day of about 57.6 miles and 1h 23m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 28.8 mi from Anna Maria, FL · 50m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
29 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.
A short stop after about 57.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 28.8 miles from Anna Maria, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Tampa, FL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Tampa, FL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$9.62 one way
$19.24 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $10.42 | $20.84 |
| premium | $4.90 | $11.10 | $22.21 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $12.80 | $25.59 |
Estimated Tolls: $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
$10
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$35–$60
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 20.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 17.3 | 0 | $6.05 | $2.76 |
| Efficient EV | 14.4 | 0 | $5.04 | $2.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 23 | 0 | $8.06 | $3.69 |
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Anna Maria on Sunday
Local time
8:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Tampa on Sunday
Local time
8:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
66°F
St. Petersburg, FL
29 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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