Origin
Dade City, FL
Evening in Dade City on Wednesday
Local time
7:16 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Dade City, FL to Tampa, FL
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
51m
Distance
38.5 mi
62 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 47m
★
6 AM
0h 51m
8 AM
1h 0m
10 AM
0h 54m
12 PM
0h 54m
3 PM
0h 55m
5 PM
0h 59m
8 PM
0h 49m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dade City, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Tampa, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are looking to travel from Dade City to Tampa, you are in for a quick 38.5-mile journey that typically takes about 51 minutes. This highway-focused route is perfect for a single-day trip, making it an easy commute or a simple afternoon outing. With a fuel budget of just $6, it is an incredibly cost-effective way to transition from the inland charm of Dade City to the urban environment of Tampa. You will spend the vast majority of your time on major thoroughfares, ensuring a straightforward and predictable travel experience. Because the entire drive is contained within Florida, you won't need to worry about changing time zones or navigating complex regional shifts. It is a no-fuss excursion that gets you from point A to point B without any need for an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
19.3 miles from Dade City, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 26m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a drive defined by efficiency, as roughly 70% of your time behind the wheel will be spent on the highway. You will navigate a combination of Old State Road 52, I-75, and I-275 to complete the trek. The stretch of I-275 serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of the trip, spanning 15.9 miles of your journey. While the route begins with local road travel, the experience quickly shifts into a fast-paced interstate drive once you merge onto the larger arteries. You should be prepared for a utilitarian, high-speed transit experience rather than a winding backroads tour, as the road is designed for connectivity between these two Florida hubs.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 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 15.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 275 and I 75. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near CR 52 / 21st Street.
Route Complexity
9/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
This is a short but busy drive. With 13 decision points packed into just 38.5 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 51m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (CR 52 / 21st Street): Navigation decision point; at 9.5 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.1 miles (I 275): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
CR 52 / 21st Street
At end of road, turn left onto CR 52 / 21st Street
Navigation decision point
6
9.5 mi into trip
|
~15m in
Take the ramp toward FL 52: Dade City, New Port Richey
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward FL 52: Dade City, New Port Richey
9
21.1 mi into trip
|
~28m in
|
I 275
Keep slight right at fork onto I 275 toward I 275 South: Tampa, Saint Petersburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 274
Toward I 275 South: Tampa, Saint Petersburg
7
37 mi into trip
|
~47m in
Take the exit toward Downtown East-West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 45A
Toward Downtown East-West
9
37.5 mi into trip
|
~48m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Downtown East, Jefferson Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Downtown East, Jefferson Street
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Dade City, FL and Tampa, FL, road signs point toward New Port Richey and Saint Petersburg.
New Port Richey
9.5 mi in
|
~15m
Saint Petersburg
9.6 mi in
|
~15m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 275 | 15.9 mi | 19m |
| I 75 | 10.9 mi | 11m |
| Old State Road 52 | 6.8 mi | 10m |
| State Road 52 | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| 21st Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Meridian Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| North Orange Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Pierce Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 275
— 15.9 mi, about 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dade City, FL and Tampa, FL.
1
Start on 14th Street
52 ft
·
5 sec
·
14th Street
2
Turn right onto CR 52
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Meridian Avenue
3
At end of road, turn left onto CR 52
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
21st Street
4
Continue on CR 52
4.4 mi
·
6 min
·
Old State Road 52
Use the straight lane.
5
Enter roundabout onto CR 52
183 ft
·
5 sec
·
Old State Road 52
6
Continue on CR 52
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Old State Road 52
7
Turn right onto FL 52
471 ft
·
9 sec
·
McCabe Road
8
Continue on FL 52
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
State Road 52
9
Take the ramp
108 ft
·
2 sec
Toward FL 52: Dade City, New Port Richey
10
Turn slight left onto FL 52
311 ft
·
5 sec
·
State Road 52
11
Take the ramp
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 75 South: Tampa, Saint Petersburg
12
Merge onto I 75
11 mi
·
11 min
·
I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 275
16 mi
·
19 min
·
I 275
Exit 274
Toward I 275 South: Tampa, Saint Petersburg
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 45A
Toward Downtown East-West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork
251 ft
·
6 sec
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward Downtown East, Jefferson Street
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on North Orange Avenue
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
North Orange Avenue
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn straight onto Pierce Street
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Pierce Street
19
Turn right onto US 41 Business; FL 60
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
East Kennedy Boulevard
20
Arrive at destination
FL 60
Trip Plan
Since this is a short, sub-one-hour trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. However, keeping an eye on traffic patterns along the I-75 and I-275 corridors is wise, as these major highways can experience congestion during peak hours. You likely won't need to plan for any formal stops given the short duration, allowing you to drive straight through to your destination. Because your total fuel cost is estimated at only $6, you can easily top off your tank in Dade City before you head out to avoid mid-trip errands. Use the initial segment on Old State Road 52 to get comfortable before merging into the faster-moving traffic on the interstate.
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 19.3 miles from Dade City, FL, or about 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 15.9 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 38.5 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 19.3 miles or 26m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tampa, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving Dade City, FL.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Dade City, FL
This is one driving day of about 38.5 miles and 51m.
At 38.5 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
The longest stretch is on I 275 for about 15.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 19.3 mi from Dade City, FL · 26m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
19 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 38.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 19.3 miles from Dade City, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Tampa, FL
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Tampa, FL if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.13 one way
$12.26 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
14 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $6.67 | $13.33 |
| premium | $4.72 | $7.16 | $14.32 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $8.50 | $17.00 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 13.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 62% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11.5 | 0 | $4.04 | $1.85 |
| Efficient EV | 9.6 | 0 | $3.37 | $1.54 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 15.4 | 0 | $5.39 | $2.46 |
Gas CO2
13 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (62% 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
Evening in Tampa on Wednesday
Local time
7:16 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
7 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
51m 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 Dade City, FL to Tampa, FL covers 38.5 miles and takes about 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 275, I 75, Old State Road 52. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 19.3 miles from Dade City, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.13 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 short but busy drive. With 13 decision points packed into just 38.5 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 51m.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (CR 52 / 21st Street): Navigation decision point; at 9.5 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.1 miles (I 275): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Dade City, FL and Tampa, FL, road signs point toward New Port Richey and Saint Petersburg.
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