Trip from Kathleen, FL to Tampa, FL

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

44m

Distance

36.1 mi

58 km

Drive Score

5/10

Practical drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$6

one way

EV Charging

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station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 11 min

4 AM

0h 41m ★

6 AM

0h 45m

8 AM

0h 52m

10 AM

0h 47m

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.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Trip Overview

This 36.1-mile drive from Kathleen, FL to Tampa, FL is a quick, single-day trip that should take around 44 minutes to complete. The route is heavily focused on highway travel, with 82% of the journey on major roadways, making it an efficient option for getting between these two Florida locations. You can expect a fuel cost of about $6 for this journey. Given its short duration and straightforward path, this drive is ideal for a single day without needing an overnight stop. It's a practical way to connect points within the same state, offering a direct and no-fuss experience.

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

18.1 miles from Kathleen, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 22m into the drive .

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Drive Character

The character of this drive is predominantly highway-focused, with an 82% highway share. You'll spend a significant amount of time on fast-paced roads, including stretches of I-4 and the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 28.1 miles on I-4, offering a consistent cruising experience. While primarily interstate, the initial and final portions may involve local roads like Kathleen Road, providing a slight variation before merging onto the main arteries. Expect a steady pace with minimal slowdowns on the primary highway segments.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 4 is the longest continuous segment at about 28.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 4 and Kathleen Road. You will hit about 7 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 4.1 miles in.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 36.1 miles you will encounter 7 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 4.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 32.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 33.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 7 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5

4.1 mi into trip | ~7m in

Take the ramp toward I 4 West

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward I 4 West

8

32.7 mi into trip | ~38m in

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

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Exit 2 Toward FL 618 Toll: Port of Tampa, West Selmon...

8

33.3 mi into trip | ~39m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Downtown, West Selmonm Expressway Toll

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Downtown, West Selmonm Expressway Toll

6

33.6 mi into trip | ~40m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Downtown, West Selmon Expressway Toll

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward Downtown, West Selmon Expressway Toll

8

35.5 mi into trip | ~43m 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...

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Kathleen, FL and Tampa, FL, road signs point toward Selmon Expressway Toll, Downtown and Selmonm Expressway Toll.

Selmon Expressway Toll

32.7 mi in | ~38m

Downtown

33.3 mi in | ~39m

Selmonm Expressway Toll

33.3 mi in | ~39m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 4	28.1 mi	30m
Kathleen Road	4.1 mi	7m
Lee Roy Selmon Expressway	1.5 mi	2m
East Kennedy Boulevard	0.4 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 4 — 28.1 mi, about 30m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on CR 35A

74 ft · 6 sec · Kathleen Road

2

Continue on CR 35A

4.1 mi · 7 min · Kathleen Road

3

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward I 4 West Use the right lane.

4

Merge onto I 4

28 mi · 30 min · I 4

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

5

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 59 sec

Exit 2 Toward FL 618 Toll: Port of Tampa, West Selmon Expressway Toll Use the straight / slight left lanes.

6

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 33 sec

Toward Downtown, West Selmonm Expressway Toll Use the straight / slight right lanes.

7

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 43 sec

Toward Downtown, West Selmon Expressway Toll

8

Merge onto FL 618 Toll

1.5 mi · 2 min · Lee Roy Selmon Expressway

9

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec

Exit 8 Toward FL 60: Kennedy Boulevard, Downtown - East Use the slight right lane.

10

Turn straight onto US 41 Business; FL 60

0.4 mi · 1 min · East Kennedy Boulevard

11

Arrive at destination

FL 60

Trip Plan

For this short 44-minute drive covering 36.1 miles, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving outside of peak commuter hours will ensure the quickest journey. Since the longest stretch is on I-4, keep an eye on traffic conditions for that specific highway, especially as you approach Tampa. With a low estimated fuel cost of $6, refueling isn't a major concern, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. There are no designated stops in the data, so plan any needed breaks before you depart or once you arrive in Tampa.

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 18.1 miles from Kathleen, FL, or about 22m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 28.1 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 36.1 miles or 44m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 18.1 miles or 22m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 36m

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 Kathleen, 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 Kathleen, FL

This is one driving day of about 36.1 miles and 44m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Kathleen, 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 4 for about 28.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 18.1 mi from Kathleen, FL · 22m into the drive

city in Polk County, Florida, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lakeland, FL

18 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.

Popular next leg

Lakeland, FL to Tampa, FL

35.5 mi · 45m

Pacing Suggestions

St. Petersburg, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 36.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lakeland, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 18.1 miles from Kathleen, 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

$5.75 one way

$11.49 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 13 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.40	$6.25	$12.50
premium	$4.72	$6.71	$13.43
diesel	$5.61	$7.97	$15.94

Estimated Tolls: $0.15

Selmon Expressway (1.5 mi) $0.15

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

$6

Tolls

$0

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$31–$56

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 12.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	10.8	$3.79	$1.73
Efficient EV	9	$3.16	$1.44
EV Truck/SUV	14.4	$5.05	$2.31

Gas CO2

13 kg

EV CO2

4 kg (69% 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.

Forecast data refreshed 5 days ago

Origin

Kathleen, FL

Morning in Kathleen on Wednesday

Local time

7:04 AM

EDT

Current temp

90°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Tampa, FL

Morning in Tampa on Wednesday

Local time

7:04 AM

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

22 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

44m 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 Kathleen, FL to Tampa, FL covers 36.1 miles and takes about 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 4, Kathleen Road, Lee Roy Selmon Expressway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 18.1 miles from Kathleen, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.75 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.