Origin
Lake Wales, FL
Late night in Lake Wales on Saturday
Local time
1:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lake Wales, FL to Tampa, FL
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 18m
Distance
55.9 mi
90 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Fair
2 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 13m
★
6 AM
1h 19m
8 AM
1h 31m
10 AM
1h 23m
12 PM
1h 22m
3 PM
1h 24m
5 PM
1h 31m
8 PM
1h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lake Wales, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Tampa, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 55.9-mile drive from Lake Wales to Tampa is easily manageable as a single-day trip, typically taking about 1 hour and 18 minutes. You'll primarily be on FL 60 before transitioning to the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway and East Adamo Drive into Tampa. With an estimated fuel cost of $9, this route is budget-friendly for solo travelers or couples. It's a highway-focused journey, designed for efficient travel between these two Florida locations. Given its relatively short distance, you won't need to worry about overnight stays, allowing for maximum flexibility in your schedule.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 18m. Total distance: 55.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
Expect a heavily highway-oriented experience on this route, with 88% of the drive taking place on faster roads. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 43.7 miles along FL 60, offering a consistent pace. As you approach Tampa, the landscape will shift from the more open stretches of FL 60 to the urban infrastructure of the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway and East Adamo Drive. This transition means you'll move from a more open road feel to a more built-up, potentially busier environment as you reach your destination.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
FL 60 is the longest continuous segment at about 43.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on FL 60 and Lee Roy Selmon Expressway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Central Avenue.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 18m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Central Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.5 miles (FL 60): Lane positioning matters here; at 14.9 miles (Flamingo Drive): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East Central Avenue
Turn right onto East Central Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
1.5 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
FL 60
Turn right onto FL 60
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
14.9 mi into trip
|
~20m in
|
Flamingo Drive
Take the exit onto Flamingo Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
50.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 10m in
|
FL 618 Toll / Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
Merge onto FL 618 Toll / Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
55.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 17m 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...
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| FL 60 | 43.7 mi | 58m |
| Lee Roy Selmon Expressway | 5.2 mi | 6m |
| East Adamo Drive | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Main Street | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| East Central Avenue | 1.4 mi | 3m |
| Flamingo Drive | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| East Kennedy Boulevard | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Adamo Drive | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
FL 60
— 43.7 mi, about 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Wales, FL and Tampa, FL.
1
Start on this road
58 ft
·
6 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto East Central Avenue
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
East Central Avenue
3
Turn right onto FL 60
13 mi
·
16 min
·
FL 60
Use the straight lane.
4
Take the exit onto Flamingo Drive
0.5 mi
·
53 sec
·
Flamingo Drive
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on Main Street
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Main Street
6
Turn left onto FL 60
26 mi
·
34 min
·
FL 60
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
Continue on FL 60
4.5 mi
·
7 min
·
FL 60
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8
Turn straight onto FL 60
0.4 mi
·
35 sec
·
Adamo Drive
9
Continue on FL 60
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
East Adamo Drive
Use the left / straight lanes.
10
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward FL 618 Toll West
11
Merge onto FL 618 Toll
5.2 mi
·
6 min
·
Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 8
Toward FL 60: Kennedy Boulevard, Downtown - East
Use the slight right lane.
13
Turn straight onto US 41 Business; FL 60
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
East Kennedy Boulevard
14
Arrive at destination
FL 60
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 28 mi from Lake Wales, FL · 38m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
28 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 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 28 miles from Lake Wales, 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.90 one way
$17.80 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
20 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $9.68 | $19.36 |
| premium | $4.72 | $10.39 | $20.79 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $12.34 | $24.68 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.52
Selmon Expressway
(5.2 mi)
$0.52
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Tolls
$1
Total
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 19.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.8 | 0 | $5.87 | $2.68 |
| Efficient EV | 14 | 0 | $4.89 | $2.24 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 22.4 | 0 | $7.83 | $3.58 |
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (65% 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
Late night in Tampa on Saturday
Local time
1:37 AM
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
5 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
1h 18m 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 Lake Wales, FL to Tampa, FL covers 55.9 miles and takes about 1h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are FL 60, Lee Roy Selmon Expressway, East Adamo Drive. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 28 miles from Lake Wales, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.90 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 straightforward 1h 18m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Central Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.5 miles (FL 60): Lane positioning matters here; at 14.9 miles (Flamingo Drive): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Lake Wales, FL to Tampa, FL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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