Origin
Palmona Park, FL
Night in Palmona Park on Thursday
Local time
11:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
2h 19m
Distance
122.4 mi
197 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Palmona Park, FL
DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ
Tampa, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Traveling from Palmona Park to Tampa covers 122.4 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 19 minutes. Because the trip is straightforward, it works perfectly as a quick day trip rather than an overnight excursion. You can expect to spend roughly $20 on fuel for the journey, making it a budget-friendly option for your Florida travels. The route primarily utilizes I-75, the North Tamiami Trail, and the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway to navigate between these two locations. Since both the origin and destination are situated within Florida, you will remain in the same region for the duration of the drive. It is a practical, efficient connection that gets you from point A to point B without any necessary stops.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
61.2 miles from Palmona Park, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 9m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 19m. Total distance: 122.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
This highway-focused drive is dominated by high-speed transit, with 85% of the route consisting of major roads. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, as the longest uninterrupted stretch spans 96.6 miles while cruising along I-75. Expect a consistent, fast-paced experience rather than a winding or technical backroad journey. As you transition from the interstate onto the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway, the character of the drive shifts toward urban connectivity. Staying alert is key during the long, consistent interstate portions, as the road conditions remain fairly uniform until you reach the final approach into Tampa.
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.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Palmona Park, FL to Tampa, FL is easy. At 2h 19m 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 Palmona Park, FL to Tampa, FL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Woodward Avenue | — | — |
| Stockton Street | — | — |
| North Cleveland Avenue | — | — |
| North Tamiami Trail | — | — |
| Tuckers Grade | — | — |
| I 75 North | — | — |
| FL 618 | — | — |
| Lee Roy Selmon Expressway | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Step-by-step road directions between Palmona Park, FL and Tampa, FL.
Start on Sacramento Street
Turn right onto Woodward Avenue
Turn left onto Stockton Street
Turn right onto North Cleveland Avenue
Turn straight onto North Tamiami Trail
Turn right onto Tuckers Grade
Take the ramp slight left toward I 75 North: Tampa
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward FL 618 Toll West, Selmon Expressway West: Tampa, Port of Tampa
Continue on Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
Take the exit slight right toward FL 60: Kennedy Boulevard, Downtown - East
Turn straight onto East Kennedy Boulevard
Arrive at your destination
For the smoothest experience, plan your departure to avoid peak commuting hours, as the highway-heavy nature of this 122.4-mile trek can be impacted by heavy traffic. Since there are no required stops on this route, you have the flexibility to power through the 2-hour and 19-minute drive in one go if you prefer. Keep your $20 fuel budget in mind when planning your departure, and ensure your tank is topped off before hitting I-75 to avoid premium pricing on the road. Because the majority of your time is spent on major thoroughfares, prioritize checking local traffic reports for the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway before you leave. Taking advantage of the lack of mandatory stops allows you to reach Tampa with plenty of time to spare for your planned activities.
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.
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 27 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61.2 miles or 1h 9m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tampa, FL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Palmona Park, 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 Palmona Park, FL
This is one driving day of about 122.4 miles and 2h 19m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 61.2 mi from Palmona Park, FL · 1h 9m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
61 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.
A short stop after about 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 61.2 miles from Palmona Park, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$19.48 one way
$38.97 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $21.19 | $42.39 |
| premium | $4.72 | $22.76 | $45.52 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $27.02 | $54.05 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 36.7 | 0 | $12.85 | $5.88 |
| Efficient EV | 30.6 | 0 | $10.71 | $4.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 49 | 0 | $17.14 | $7.83 |
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (67% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Palmona Park on Thursday
Local time
11:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Destination
Night in Tampa on Thursday
Local time
11:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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