Origin
Belleair Beach, FL
Afternoon in Belleair Beach on Sunday
Local time
4:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
Trip from Belleair Beach, FL to Tampa, FL
Drive Time
45m
Distance
27.1 mi
44 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 41m
★
6 AM
0h 45m
8 AM
0h 53m
10 AM
0h 48m
12 PM
0h 47m
3 PM
0h 48m
5 PM
0h 52m
8 PM
0h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Belleair Beach, FL
Brent Singleton
Tampa, FL
Arian Fernandez
Trip Overview
Driving from Belleair Beach to Tampa is a quick 27.1-mile trip that typically takes about 45 minutes to complete. Because of the short distance, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations. You can expect to spend roughly $5 on fuel for the entire journey, making it a very affordable connection within Florida. The route utilizes a combination of West Bay Drive, Ulmerton Road, and I-275 to navigate from the coast into the city. It is a straightforward trip that offers a practical way to transition from the beach environment to the urban atmosphere of Tampa.
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
13.6 miles from Belleair Beach, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 25m into the drive .
Drive Character
This 27.1-mile journey offers a mixed driving profile, balancing local roads with an interstate stretch. About 43% of your time behind the wheel will be spent on highways, providing a nice contrast to the slower-paced local streets. You will encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch while merging onto I-275, which spans 11.7 miles of the total distance. The transition from the coastal roads of West Bay Drive and Ulmerton Road onto the interstate creates a varied experience as you move inland. Expect a functional drive that shifts from local navigation to a faster-paced highway rhythm as you approach your destination.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 275 is the longest continuous segment at about 11.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 0.4 miles in near CR 416 / Causeway Boulevard.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 27.1 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 0.4 miles (CR 416 / Causeway Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 14.5 miles (I 275): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 26.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.4 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
CR 416 / Causeway Boulevard
Turn left onto CR 416 / Causeway Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
14.5 mi into trip
|
~27m in
|
I 275
Merge onto I 275
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
26.2 mi into trip
|
~42m in
Take the exit toward Downtown East, Downtown West
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 44
Toward Downtown East, Downtown West
9
26.3 mi into trip
|
~42m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Downtown West, Ashley Drive, Tampa Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Downtown West, Ashley Drive, Tampa Stree...
9
26.5 mi into trip
|
~43m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Tampa Street, Seaport Aquarium, Amalie Arena, Harbour Island, Convention Center
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward Tampa Street, Seaport Aquarium, Amalie A...
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 275 | 11.7 mi | 15m |
| Ulmerton Road | 9.2 mi | 15m |
| West Bay Drive | 2.2 mi | 5m |
| Seminole Boulevard | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| South Belleair Causeway | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Causeway Boulevard | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Gulf Boulevard | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| North Tampa Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 275
— 11.7 mi, about 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Belleair Beach, FL and Tampa, FL.
1
Start on Gulf Boulevard
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
Gulf Boulevard
2
Turn left onto CR 416
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Causeway Boulevard
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on CR 416
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Belleair Causeway
4
Continue on CR 416
2.2 mi
·
5 min
·
West Bay Drive
5
Turn right onto 1st Street Southwest
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
1st Street Southwest
6
Turn straight onto US-19 ALT
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Seminole Boulevard
Use the none lane.
7
Turn left onto FL 688
8.3 mi
·
13 min
·
Ulmerton Road
Use the left lane.
8
Take the ramp onto FL 688
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Ulmerton Road
Toward I 275 North: Tampa
9
Merge onto I 275
12 mi
·
15 min
·
I 275
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
386 ft
·
9 sec
Exit 44
Toward Downtown East, Downtown West
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward Downtown West, Ashley Drive, Tampa Street
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Toward Tampa Street, Seaport Aquarium, Amalie Arena, Harbour Island, Convention Center
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
13
Turn slight right onto US 41 Business
0.2 mi
·
54 sec
·
North Tampa Street
14
Turn left onto East Twiggs Street
282 ft
·
12 sec
·
East Twiggs Street
15
Turn right onto North Franklin Street
0.1 mi
·
31 sec
·
North Franklin Street
16
Turn right onto FL 60
174 ft
·
4 sec
·
East Kennedy Boulevard
17
Arrive at destination
FL 60
Trip Plan
Since this is a short, 45-minute drive, you have a great deal of flexibility when planning your departure time. You won't need to schedule any formal stops along the way, allowing you to head straight to Tampa without the need for mid-trip breaks. Keep in mind that your fuel budget is quite low at just $5, so you can easily manage the trip on a single tank. To make the most of your travel, try to avoid peak traffic hours on I-275, as the 11.7-mile highway segment can get congested. Since there are no mandatory stops, use your extra time to enjoy the coastal start of your trip before hitting the highway.
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 13.6 miles from Belleair Beach, FL, or about 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 11.7 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 27.1 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 13.6 miles or 25m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 38m
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 Belleair 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 Belleair Beach, FL
This is one driving day of about 27.1 miles and 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Belleair 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 I 275 for about 11.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 13.6 mi from Belleair Beach, FL · 25m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
14 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 27.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 13.6 miles from Belleair 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
$4.53 one way
$9.05 round trip
$4.24/gal
25.4 MPG avg
10 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $4.90 | $9.81 |
| premium | $4.90 | $5.22 | $10.45 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $6.02 | $12.04 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 9.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 8.1 | 0 | $2.85 | $1.30 |
| Efficient EV | 6.8 | 0 | $2.37 | $1.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 10.8 | 0 | $3.79 | $1.73 |
Gas CO2
9 kg
EV CO2
3 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
4:49 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.
Road read
45m 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 Belleair Beach, FL to Tampa, FL covers 27.1 miles and takes about 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 275, Ulmerton Road, West Bay Drive. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 13.6 miles from Belleair Beach, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.53 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 is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 27.1 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (CR 416 / Causeway Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 14.5 miles (I 275): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 26.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Belleair Beach, FL to Tampa, FL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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