Trip from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Tampa, FL

Drive Time

3h 43m

Distance

263.7 mi

424 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$44

one way

EV Charging

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station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min

4 AM

3h 31m ★

6 AM

3h 44m

8 AM

4h 9m

10 AM

3h 52m

12 PM

3h 50m

3 PM

3h 54m

5 PM

4h 8m

8 PM

3h 36m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Trip Overview

Traveling from Fort Lauderdale to Tampa covers approximately 263.7 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 43 minutes of driving time. This route is well-suited for a single-day trip, meaning you can easily complete the journey without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget roughly $43 for fuel to cover the distance. You will primarily navigate via I-595 West and segments of I-95 South as you transition between these two Florida cities. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straight interstate shot, you should plan for a more active driving experience compared to a standard highway haul.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

131.8 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 51m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a very different feel behind the wheel than a typical high-speed interstate sprint. This route is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive, requiring you to stay alert through various transitions rather than settling into a long, monotonous highway cruise. With a highway share of 0%, you won't find many stretches of wide-open, uninterrupted interstate driving; in fact, the longest stretch on I-95 South is 0 miles. The road demands your full attention as you navigate through local intersections and turns. Prepare for a dynamic, hands-on driving experience that keeps you engaged from start to finish.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 95 South is one of the defining roads on this drive.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.

Route Complexity 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

This is a straightforward 3h 43m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Tampa, FL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 95 South	Unavailable	Refreshing
I 595	Unavailable	Refreshing
I 595 West	Unavailable	Refreshing
Port Everglades Expressway	Unavailable	Refreshing
FL 618	Unavailable	Refreshing
Lee Roy Selmon Expressway	Unavailable	Refreshing
FL 60	Unavailable	Refreshing
East Kennedy Boulevard	Unavailable	Refreshing

Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.

Longest stretch: I 95 South — detailed segment metrics are refreshing.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fort Lauderdale, FL and Tampa, FL.

1

Start on East Broward Boulevard

1.6 mi · 3 min · East Broward Boulevard

2

Take the ramp slight left toward I 95 South: Miami

0.2 mi · 24 sec · I 95 South: Miami

3

Keep slight right to continue on I 595: Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale - Hollywood International Airport

2.2 mi · 3 min · I 595: Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale - Hollywood International Airport

4

Keep slight right to continue on I 595 West

1.0 mi · 2 min · I 595 West

5

Merge slight left onto Port Everglades Expressway

1.4 mi · 1 min · Port Everglades Expressway

6

Keep slight right to continue on Port Everglades Expressway

10 mi · 11 min · Port Everglades Expressway

7

Merge slight left

236 mi · 4 hr 13 min

8

Take the exit slight right toward FL 618 Toll West, Selmon Expressway West: Tampa, Port of Tampa

2.4 mi · 2 min · FL 618 Toll West, Selmon Expressway West: Tampa, Port of Tampa

9

Continue on Lee Roy Selmon Expressway

7.8 mi · 9 min · Lee Roy Selmon Expressway

10

Take the exit slight right toward FL 60: Kennedy Boulevard, Downtown - East

0.2 mi · 31 sec · FL 60: Kennedy Boulevard, Downtown - East

11

Turn straight onto East Kennedy Boulevard

0.4 mi · 1 min · East Kennedy Boulevard

12

Arrive at your destination

Trip Plan

Since this is a turn-heavy route that requires frequent navigation, try to avoid departing during peak local traffic hours to keep your stress levels low. You should plan for at least one stop during the 263.7-mile journey to stretch your legs and reset. Given the $43 fuel estimate, it is wise to fill up before you leave Fort Lauderdale to avoid unpredictable local pump prices. Because the drive is under four hours, you have the flexibility to leave in the morning and arrive in Tampa by the afternoon with plenty of time to spare. Keep a close eye on your GPS, as the lack of long highway stretches means you will be making frequent turns throughout the day.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 131.8 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL, or about 1h 51m into the drive.

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 80 miles or 1h 7m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 131.8 miles or 1h 51m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 3m

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 Fort Lauderdale, 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 Fort Lauderdale, FL

This is one driving day of about 263.7 miles and 3h 43m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 131.8 mi from Fort Lauderdale, FL · 1h 51m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Punta Gorda, FL

132 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

Bonita Springs, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Punta Gorda, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 131.8 miles from Fort Lauderdale, 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

$44.05 one way

$88.10 round trip

$4.24/gal 25.4 MPG avg 92 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.60	$47.72	$95.43
premium	$4.90	$50.83	$101.66
diesel	$5.64	$58.59	$117.17

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$44

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$69–$94

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 92.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	79.1	0	$27.69	$12.66
Efficient EV	65.9	0	$23.07	$10.55
EV Truck/SUV	105.5	1	$36.92	$16.88

Gas CO2

92 kg

EV CO2

31 kg (66% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Afternoon in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday

Local time

4:40 PM

EDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Tampa, FL

Afternoon in Tampa on Sunday

Local time

4:40 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

2 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

3h 43m 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 Fort Lauderdale, FL to Tampa, FL covers 263.7 miles and takes about 3h 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 95 South, I 595, I 595 West. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 131.8 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $44.05 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

This is a straightforward 3h 43m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Tampa, FL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

The route from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Tampa, FL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Tampa, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL

Plan the drive back the other way.

262.9 mi 4h 51m

Explore more options from Fort Lauderdale, FL or browse trips ending in Tampa, FL.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse FL road trips.

Explore maps for Fort Lauderdale, FL or Tampa, FL on MapSof.net.