Trip from Quincy, FL to Tampa, FL

Drive Time

5h 26m

Distance

295.3 mi

475 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$49

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 13m ★
6 AM
5h 26m
8 AM
5h 53m
10 AM
5h 35m
12 PM
5h 33m
3 PM
5h 37m
5 PM
5h 51m
8 PM
5h 18m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Tampa, FL, FL

Tampa, FL

Arian Fernandez

Trip Overview

Traveling from Quincy to Tampa covers 295.3 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 26 minutes behind the wheel. Because this journey is manageable in a single day, you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations unless you prefer a slower pace. Plan for approximately $49 in fuel costs to complete the trip. Utilizing a primary corridor of I-10, I-75, and I-275, the route is designed for efficiency rather than sightseeing. It is an ideal path for those looking to transit quickly between the Florida Panhandle and the Gulf Coast region. Expect a straightforward drive that prioritizes highway connectivity over secondary roads.

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

147.6 miles from Quincy, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 43m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 95% of your travel occurring on major interstates. You will spend a significant portion of your time on I-75, which features a long, uninterrupted stretch of 160.5 miles. The road maintains a consistent, high-speed character that favors steady progress over technical maneuvering. While the scenery remains largely consistent with Florida's interior landscape, the transition from the quiet surroundings of Quincy to the bustling interstate system is noticeable. Prepare for a focused, interstate-heavy experience that requires alertness during the lengthy primary segments.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 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 160.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and I 10. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South Ward Street.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 295.3 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (South Ward Street): Navigation decision point; at 12.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 277.8 miles (I 275): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

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

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | South Ward Street

Turn left onto South Ward Street

Navigation decision point

5
12.5 mi into trip | ~18m in

Take the ramp toward I 10 East: Lake City

Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 10 East: Lake City
9
277.8 mi into trip | ~5h 3m in | I 275

Keep slight right at fork onto I 275 toward I 275 South: Tampa, Saint Petersburg

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 274 Toward I 275 South: Tampa, Saint Petersburg
7
293.7 mi into trip | ~5h 22m in

Take the exit toward Downtown East-West

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 45A Toward Downtown East-West
9
294.3 mi into trip | ~5h 23m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Downtown East, Jefferson Street

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

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward Downtown East, Jefferson Street

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Quincy, FL to Tampa, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Petersburg along the way.

Saint Petersburg

277.8 mi in | ~5h 3m | via I 275

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 75 160.5 mi 2h 52m
I 10 104.1 mi 1h 51m
I 275 15.9 mi 19m
Blue Star Highway 7.5 mi 9m
West Jefferson Street 4.9 mi 7m
North Orange Avenue 0.3 mi <1m
Pierce Street 0.3 mi <1m
East Kennedy Boulevard 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 75 — 160.5 mi, about 2h 52m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on West Crawford Street

212 ft · 14 sec · West Crawford Street
2

Turn left onto South Ward Street

368 ft · 18 sec · South Ward Street
3

Turn right onto US 90; FL 12; FL 267

4.9 mi · 7 min · West Jefferson Street
4

Continue on US 90

7.5 mi · 9 min · Blue Star Highway
Use the none lane.
5

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 58 sec
Toward I 10 East: Lake City Use the slight right lane.
6

Merge onto I 10

104 mi · 1 hr 51 min · I 10
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 37 sec
Exit 296A Toward I-75 South: Tampa
8

Merge onto I 75

161 mi · 2 hr 52 min · I 75
Use the straight lane.
9

Keep slight right at fork onto I 275

16 mi · 19 min · I 275
Exit 274 Toward I 275 South: Tampa, Saint Petersburg Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 49 sec
Exit 45A Toward Downtown East-West Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight right at fork

251 ft · 6 sec
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Toward Downtown East, Jefferson Street Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
13

Continue on North Orange Avenue

0.3 mi · 46 sec · North Orange Avenue
Use the straight lane.
14

Turn straight onto Pierce Street

0.3 mi · 41 sec · Pierce Street
15

Turn right onto US 41 Business; FL 60

0.3 mi · 45 sec · East Kennedy Boulevard
16

Arrive at destination

FL 60

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 5-hour and 26-minute journey, try to time your departure to avoid peak traffic on the busier interstate sections. Since the route includes only one recommended stop, plan your break strategically to maximize your efficiency on the road. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the 160.5-mile stretch on I-75, as this is your longest period without a detour. Because you have the flexibility to complete this in one day, consider leaving early in the morning to reach Tampa by the afternoon. Staying well-rested is essential, as the high percentage of highway driving can lead to a monotonous experience behind the wheel.

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 147.6 miles from Quincy, FL, or about 2h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 160.5 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 80 miles or 1h 31m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 147.6 miles or 2h 43m 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 25m

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 Quincy, 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 Quincy, FL

This is one driving day of about 295.3 miles and 5h 26m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Quincy, 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 160.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 147.6 mi from Quincy, FL · 2h 43m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Gainesville, FL

148 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

Gainesville, FL to Tampa, FL

130.1 mi · 2h 1m

Pacing Suggestions

Lake City, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Gainesville, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 147.6 miles from Quincy, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 160.5 miles.

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.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$49.33 one way

$98.66 round trip

$4.24/gal 25.4 MPG avg 103 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.60 $53.43 $106.87
premium $4.90 $56.92 $113.84
diesel $5.64 $65.61 $131.21

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$49

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$74–$99

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 103.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 88.6 1 $31.01 $14.17
Efficient EV 73.8 0 $25.84 $11.81
EV Truck/SUV 118.1 1 $41.34 $18.90

Gas CO2

103 kg

EV CO2

35 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 data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Quincy, FL

Afternoon in Quincy on Sunday

Local time

3:55 PM

EDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Tampa, FL

Afternoon in Tampa on Sunday

Local time

3:55 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

8 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

5h 26m 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 Quincy, FL to Tampa, FL covers 295.3 miles and takes about 5h 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, I 10, I 275. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 147.6 miles from Quincy, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $49.33 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 demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 295.3 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (South Ward Street): Navigation decision point; at 12.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 277.8 miles (I 275): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Quincy, FL to Tampa, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Petersburg along the way.

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