This 270.7-mile drive from Opa-locka, Florida, to Tampa, Florida, is a straightforward journey that can comfortably be completed in about 4 hours and 56 minutes. Given its relatively short duration and focus on major highways, it's an ideal one-day trip. You'll primarily be on I-75, with brief sections of Gratigny Parkway and Lee Roy Selmon Expressway. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $43, making it an economical option for a quick getaway or business travel within the state. This route keeps you within Florida for its entirety, offering a consistent regional experience.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
135.3 miles from Opa-locka, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 28m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 56m. Total distance: 270.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Expect a highway-focused drive for this trip, with 98% of the journey taking place on major interstates and parkways. The majority of your travel, a significant 253.7 miles, will be on I-75, suggesting long stretches of consistent speed and minimal turns. This highway-centric profile means you'll likely experience a predictable driving rhythm, characteristic of long-distance interstate travel. While not necessarily scenic, the focus is on efficient transit, allowing you to cover ground quickly and with few interruptions.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 75 is the longest continuous segment at about 253.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Lee Roy Selmon Expressway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 56m 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: Navigation decision point; at 1.9 miles (SR 924 Toll / Gratigny Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.2 miles (I 75): 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.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in
Turn left
Navigation decision point
5
1.9 mi into trip|~4m in|SR 924 Toll / Gratigny Parkway
Merge onto SR 924 Toll / Gratigny Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
22.2 mi into trip|~26m in|I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward Alligator Alley, Naples
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward Alligator Alley, Naples
8
259.9 mi into trip|~4h 42m in
Take the exit toward FL 618 Toll West, Selmon Expressway West: Tampa, Port of Tampa
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 256
Toward FL 618 Toll West, Selmon Expressway West...
8
270.1 mi into trip|~4h 54m 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 Opa-locka, FL and Tampa, FL, road signs point toward Alligator Alley and Naples.
Alligator Alley
22.2 mi in|~26m|via I 75
Naples
22.2 mi in|~26m|via I 75
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
253.7 mi
4h 32m
Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
7.8 mi
9m
Gratigny Parkway
4.3 mi
5m
Northwest 42nd Avenue-37th Avenue Connector
1 mi
1m
Ali Baba Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
East Kennedy Boulevard
0.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 253.7 mi, about 4h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Opa-locka, FL and Tampa, FL.
1
Start on this road
197 ft·19 sec·this road
2
Turn left
56 ft·6 sec
3
Turn right onto Ali Baba Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·Ali Baba Avenue
4
Turn left onto Northwest 42nd Avenue-37th Avenue Connector
Toward Alligator Alley, NaplesUse the slight left / straight lanes.
9
Take the exit
2.4 mi·2 min
Exit 256Toward FL 618 Toll West, Selmon Expressway West: Tampa, Port of TampaUse the slight right lane.
10
Continue on FL 618 Toll
7.8 mi·9 min·Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 8Toward FL 60: Kennedy Boulevard, Downtown - EastUse the slight right lane.
12
Turn straight onto US 41 Business; FL 60
0.4 mi·1 min·East Kennedy Boulevard
13
Arrive at destination
FL 60
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour and 56-minute drive, leaving in the morning is recommended to maximize your daylight hours and avoid potential afternoon traffic, especially as you approach Tampa. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 253.7 miles on I-75, plan your fuel and rest breaks strategically. Consider stopping around the halfway point or slightly after the initial long stretch on I-75 to refresh. The $43 fuel cost is manageable, but it’s always wise to start with a full tank. Being a single-day trip, you have flexibility, but an early start ensures a relaxed arrival.
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 135.3 miles from Opa-locka, FL, or about 2h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 253.7 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 60 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 135.3 miles or 2h 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 1m
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 Opa-locka, 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 Opa-locka, FL
This is one driving day of about 270.7 miles and 4h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Opa-locka, 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.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 253.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 135.3 mi from Opa-locka, FL
· 2h 28m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
De Soto National Memorial
National Memorial
In May 1539, Conquistador Hernando de Soto’s army of soldiers, hired mercenaries, craftsmen, and clergy made landfall in Tampa Bay. They were met with fierce resistance of indigenous people protecting...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 233.4
Within sight of Miami, yet worlds away, Biscayne protects a rare combination of aquamarine waters, emerald islands, and fish-bejeweled coral reefs. Evidence of 10,000 years of human history is here to...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.09 one way
$86.18 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg95 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$46.87
$93.74
premium
$4.72
$50.34
$100.67
diesel
$5.61
$59.77
$119.53
Estimated Tolls: $0.78
Selmon Expressway
(7.8 mi)$0.78
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
$43
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
81.2
1
$28.42
$12.99
Efficient EV
67.7
0
$23.69
$10.83
EV Truck/SUV
108.3
1
$37.90
$17.32
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Opa-locka, FL
Evening
in Opa-locka on Friday
Local time
6:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tampa, FL
Evening
in Tampa on Friday
Local time
6:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Mostly Clear
NE 2 to 8 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 16 at 7:03PM EDT until April 17 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 16 at 3:00AM EDT until April 17 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
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
4 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
4h 56m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Opa-locka, FL to Tampa, FL covers 270.7 miles and takes about 4h 56m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, Lee Roy Selmon Expressway, Gratigny Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 135.3 miles from Opa-locka, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $43.09 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward 4h 56m 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: Navigation decision point; at 1.9 miles (SR 924 Toll / Gratigny Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.2 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Opa-locka, FL and Tampa, FL, road signs point toward Alligator Alley and Naples.
Yes. Nearby national parks include De Soto National Memorial and Biscayne National Park.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
