Origin
Apollo Beach, FL
Afternoon in Apollo Beach on Sunday
Local time
4:32 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Apollo Beach, FL to Tampa, FL
Drive Time
27m
Distance
17.5 mi
28 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 25m
★
6 AM
0h 27m
8 AM
0h 32m
10 AM
0h 29m
12 PM
0h 29m
3 PM
0h 29m
5 PM
0h 32m
8 PM
0h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Apollo Beach, FL
Arian Fernandez
Tampa, FL
Arian Fernandez
Trip Overview
If you are traveling from Apollo Beach to Tampa, you are looking at a quick 17.5-mile journey that typically takes about 27 minutes. This local connection is perfect for a single-day trip, requiring no overnight stays or complex logistics. You will primarily navigate via Tamiami Trail, South 50th Street, and South 22nd Street to reach your destination. With a modest fuel cost of approximately $3, this is an incredibly budget-friendly commute within the Florida region. Because the entire route is quite short, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your day without worrying about fatigue. It is a straightforward, practical link between these two Florida locations.
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
8.7 miles from Apollo Beach, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 13m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate cruise on this route. Only about 4% of your journey is spent on highways, meaning you will spend most of your time navigating local surface streets. Your longest uninterrupted stretch is 9 miles along the Tamiami Trail, which provides the most consistent portion of the trip. As you move away from the coast and toward Tampa, the road character shifts from suburban thoroughfares to more urbanized local routes. Be prepared for frequent turns and standard traffic patterns as you transition through these neighborhoods.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Tamiami Trail is the longest continuous segment at about 9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 5 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Apollo Beach Boulevard.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 17.5 miles you will encounter 5 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Apollo Beach Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (US 41 / Tamiami Trail): Lane positioning matters here; at 15.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 5 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
3
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Apollo Beach Boulevard
Turn right onto Apollo Beach Boulevard
Navigation decision point
4
1.1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
US 41 / Tamiami Trail
Turn left onto US 41 / Tamiami Trail
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
15.8 mi into trip
|
~23m in
Take the ramp toward FL 618 Toll West: Saint Petersburg
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Toward FL 618 Toll West: Saint Petersburg
3
16.1 mi into trip
|
~24m in
|
FL 618 Toll / Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
Merge onto FL 618 Toll / Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining
8
16.9 mi into trip
|
~25m 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...
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Tamiami Trail | 9 mi | 13m |
| South 50th Street | 2 mi | 2m |
| South 22nd Street | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Apollo Beach Boulevard | 1 mi | 1m |
| South 20th Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| Causeway Boulevard | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Lee Roy Selmon Expressway | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| East Kennedy Boulevard | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Tamiami Trail
— 9 mi, about 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Apollo Beach, FL and Tampa, FL.
1
Start on Fairway Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
Fairway Boulevard
2
Turn right onto Apollo Beach Boulevard
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Apollo Beach Boulevard
3
Turn left onto US 41
9.0 mi
·
13 min
·
Tamiami Trail
Use the none lane.
4
Continue on US 41
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
South 50th Street
Use the none lane.
5
Turn left onto US 41 Business
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Causeway Boulevard
6
Continue on US 41 Business
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
South 22nd Street
Use the none lane.
7
Continue on US 41 Business
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South 20th Street
Use the none lane.
8
Continue on US 41 Business
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
North 22nd Street
Use the none lane.
9
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward FL 618 Toll West: Saint Petersburg
Use the none lane.
10
Merge onto FL 618 Toll
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 8
Toward FL 60: Kennedy Boulevard, Downtown - East
Use the slight right lane.
12
Turn straight onto US 41 Business; FL 60
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
East Kennedy Boulevard
13
Arrive at destination
FL 60
Trip Plan
Since this is a short 27-minute drive, you do not need to worry about planning formal rest stops along the way. Your best strategy is to monitor local traffic conditions on your primary roads before leaving, as urban congestion can fluctuate throughout the day. With a fuel budget of only $3, you can easily top off your tank before departure without impacting your travel expenses. The primary advantage of this route is its brevity, allowing you to easily adjust your schedule based on your personal priorities. Keep a close eye on your navigation system, as the turn-heavy nature of these local streets makes it easy to miss a junction if you are distracted.
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 8.7 miles from Apollo Beach, FL, or about 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 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 17.5 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 8.7 miles or 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 22m
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 Apollo Beach, 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 Apollo Beach, FL
This is one driving day of about 17.5 miles and 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Apollo Beach, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Tamiami Trail for about 9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 8.7 mi from Apollo Beach, FL · 13m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
9 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 17.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 8.7 miles from Apollo Beach, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Tampa, FL
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$2.92 one way
$5.85 round trip
$4.24/gal
25.4 MPG avg
6 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $3.17 | $6.33 |
| premium | $4.90 | $3.37 | $6.75 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $3.89 | $7.78 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.07
Selmon Expressway
(0.7 mi)
$0.07
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
$3
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 6.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 5.3 | 0 | $1.84 | $0.84 |
| Efficient EV | 4.4 | 0 | $1.53 | $0.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 7 | 0 | $2.45 | $1.12 |
Gas CO2
6 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Tampa, FL
Afternoon in Tampa on Sunday
Local time
4:32 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
27m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Apollo Beach, FL to Tampa, FL covers 17.5 miles and takes about 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Tamiami Trail, South 50th Street, South 22nd Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 8.7 miles from Apollo Beach, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.92 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 17.5 miles you will encounter 5 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Apollo Beach Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (US 41 / Tamiami Trail): Lane positioning matters here; at 15.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Apollo Beach, FL to Tampa, FL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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