Origin
Fort Pierce, FL
Evening in Fort Pierce on Sunday
Local time
6:02 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fort Pierce, FL to Tampa, FL
Drive Time
2h 42m
Distance
152.9 mi
246 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 32m
★
6 AM
2h 42m
8 AM
3h 4m
10 AM
2h 50m
12 PM
2h 48m
3 PM
2h 51m
5 PM
3h 3m
8 PM
2h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fort Pierce, FL
Arian Fernandez
Tampa, FL
Arian Fernandez
Trip Overview
Connecting the Atlantic Coast to the Gulf Coast, this 152.9-mile journey across Florida takes roughly 2 hours and 42 minutes. Because of the manageable distance, this route works perfectly as a straightforward day trip, eliminating the need for an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via Highway 1, Orange Avenue, and I-95 North to make the crossing. Budgeting about $25 for fuel covers the trip comfortably, allowing you to focus on the transition between the state's two distinct coastal regions. Whether you are traveling for business or a quick change of scenery, the simplicity of this drive makes it a practical choice for your travel itinerary.
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
76.5 miles from Fort Pierce, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 21m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. Since the highway share is 0%, you won't find yourself locked into long, high-speed interstate stretches; instead, the route demands more focus as you navigate local roads. With the longest stretch on Highway 1 measuring 0 miles, the path is defined by frequent turns and transitions. This profile creates a more engaging, hands-on driving experience compared to typical highway travel. Be prepared for a varied pace as you weave through the local infrastructure connecting Fort Pierce to Tampa.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Highway 1 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. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Fort Pierce, FL to Tampa, FL is easy. At 2h 42m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Fort Pierce, FL to Tampa, FL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Highway 1 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Orange Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 95 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| FL 60 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| FL 60 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Flamingo Drive | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Main Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Adamo Drive | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Highway 1
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Pierce, FL and Tampa, FL.
1
Start on the route
85 ft
·
8 sec
·
the route
2
Turn uturn onto US Highway 1
256 ft
·
19 sec
·
US Highway 1
3
Turn left onto Orange Avenue
3.9 mi
·
8 min
·
Orange Avenue
4
Take the ramp slight right toward I 95 North: Daytona Beach
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 95 North: Daytona Beach
5
Merge slight left
15 mi
·
16 min
6
Take the exit slight right toward FL 60: Vero Beach, Lake Wales
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
FL 60: Vero Beach, Lake Wales
7
Keep slight left to continue on FL 60 West: Lake Wales
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
FL 60 West: Lake Wales
8
Turn left
21 mi
·
25 min
9
Continue straight
64 mi
·
1 hr 21 min
10
Take the exit left toward Flamingo Drive
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
·
Flamingo Drive
11
Continue on Main Street
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Main Street
12
Turn left
26 mi
·
34 min
13
Continue straight
4.5 mi
·
7 min
14
Turn straight onto Adamo Drive
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
·
Adamo Drive
15
Continue on East Adamo Drive
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
East Adamo Drive
16
Take the ramp left toward FL 618 Toll West
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
FL 618 Toll West
17
Merge slight left onto Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
5.2 mi
·
6 min
·
Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
18
Take the exit slight right toward FL 60: Kennedy Boulevard, Downtown - East
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
FL 60: Kennedy Boulevard, Downtown - East
19
Turn straight onto East Kennedy Boulevard
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
East Kennedy Boulevard
20
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour and 42-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around local traffic patterns. Scheduling at least one stop is recommended to break up the technical nature of the local roads and keep your energy levels steady. Since fuel costs for the trip hover around $25, topping off before you leave Fort Pierce ensures a stress-free transit. Because this is a turn-heavy route, keep your navigation tools handy and stay alert for frequent direction changes. Utilizing the midday hours can help you avoid the heaviest commuter congestion often found on these local thoroughfares.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 76.5 miles from Fort Pierce, FL, or about 1h 21m 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 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.5 miles or 1h 21m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 13m
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 Pierce, 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 Pierce, FL
This is one driving day of about 152.9 miles and 2h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Fort Pierce, 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 76.5 mi from Fort Pierce, FL · 1h 21m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
76 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 76.5 miles from Fort Pierce, 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
$25.54 one way
$51.08 round trip
$4.24/gal
25.4 MPG avg
54 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $27.67 | $55.33 |
| premium | $4.90 | $29.47 | $58.94 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $33.97 | $67.94 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.9 | 0 | $16.05 | $7.34 |
| Efficient EV | 38.2 | 0 | $13.38 | $6.12 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 61.2 | 0 | $21.41 | $9.79 |
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (66% 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 Sunday
Local time
6:02 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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 42m 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 Pierce, FL to Tampa, FL covers 152.9 miles and takes about 2h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Highway 1, Orange Avenue, I 95 North. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 76.5 miles from Fort Pierce, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.54 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Fort Pierce, FL to Tampa, FL is easy. At 2h 42m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Fort Pierce, FL to Tampa, FL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Fort Pierce, FL to Tampa, FL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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