Trip from Sunrise, FL to Tampa, FL

Drive Time

4h 57m

Distance

266.7 mi

429 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$45

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 44m ★
6 AM
4h 58m
8 AM
5h 25m
10 AM
5h 7m
12 PM
5h 4m
3 PM
5h 9m
5 PM
5h 23m
8 PM
4h 50m

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

Downtown Sunrise, FL, FL

Sunrise, FL

Arian Fernandez

Downtown Tampa, FL, FL

Tampa, FL

Arian Fernandez

Trip Overview

Traveling from Sunrise to Tampa covers 268.1 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 58 minutes of active driving time. Because this route relies entirely on local roads rather than major interstates, it functions best as a single-day journey. You should set aside a budget of approximately $44 for fuel to complete the trip. Since you are staying within Florida, the landscape remains consistent, though moving from the Atlantic coast toward the Gulf coast offers a clear shift in regional geography. While the drive is manageable in one go, the turn-heavy nature of the route means you will need to stay focused throughout the entire duration.

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

133.3 miles from Sunrise, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 32m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a highly technical experience behind the wheel, as this 268.1-mile journey features zero highway driving. You will navigate primarily via Northeast 25th Way, Northeast 8th Street, and Northeast 26th Avenue, which creates a constant, turn-heavy rhythm. Because the longest stretch is 0 miles on Northeast 25th Way, you will be making frequent adjustments rather than settling into a long cruise. This is not a high-speed interstate haul, but rather a methodical navigation through local infrastructure. Prepare for an active driving style where the road surface and direction change frequently, demanding your full attention from start to finish.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 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 236 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

49 ft -2 ft

Total Climb

107 ft

Total Descent

95 ft

Highest Point

49 ft

~244.5 mi in

Elevation Range

51 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Port Everglades Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.6 miles in.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 266.7 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: at 5.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 16 key points

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

8
5.6 mi into trip | ~11m in

Take the exit toward SR 736, I 595: Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale - Hollywood International Airport, Davie Boulevard

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 26 Toward SR 736, I 595: Port Everglades, Fort Lau...
8
5.7 mi into trip | ~12m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 595: Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale - Hollywood International Airport

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

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Toward I 595: Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale...
7
7.4 mi into trip | ~14m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 595 West

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 595 West
8
255.9 mi into trip | ~4h 44m 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
266.1 mi into trip | ~4h 56m 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
I 75 236 mi 4h 13m
Port Everglades Expressway 11.5 mi 13m
Lee Roy Selmon Expressway 7.8 mi 9m
East Sunrise Boulevard 3.4 mi 7m
I 95 1.2 mi 1m
East Kennedy Boulevard 0.4 mi 1m
Northeast 9th Street 0.2 mi <1m
Northeast 24th Avenue 0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 75 — 236 mi, about 4h 13m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Northeast 7th Place

286 ft · 15 sec · Northeast 7th Place
2

Turn left onto Northeast 25th Way

358 ft · 13 sec · Northeast 25th Way
3

Turn right onto Northeast 8th Street

296 ft · 15 sec · Northeast 8th Street
4

Turn left onto Northeast 26th Avenue

311 ft · 15 sec · Northeast 26th Avenue
5

Turn left onto Northeast 9th Street

0.2 mi · 43 sec · Northeast 9th Street
6

Continue on Northeast 24th Avenue

0.1 mi · 25 sec · Northeast 24th Avenue
Use the left lane.
7

Turn left onto SR 838

3.4 mi · 7 min · East Sunrise Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
8

Turn left

0.3 mi · 38 sec
Toward I 95 South: Miami
9

Merge onto I 95

1.2 mi · 1 min · I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 20 sec
Exit 26 Toward SR 736, I 595: Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale - Hollywood International Airport, Davie Boulevard Use the slight right lane.
11

Keep slight right at fork

1.7 mi · 2 min
Toward I 595: Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale - Hollywood International Airport Use the straight / slight left lanes.
12

Keep slight right at fork

1.0 mi · 2 min
Toward I 595 West Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
13

Merge onto I 595

1.4 mi · 1 min · Port Everglades Expressway
14

Keep slight right at fork onto I 595

10 mi · 11 min · Port Everglades Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Merge onto I 75

236 mi · 4 hr 13 min · I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Take the exit

2.4 mi · 2 min
Exit 256 Toward FL 618 Toll West, Selmon Expressway West: Tampa, Port of Tampa Use the slight right lane.
17

Continue on FL 618 Toll

7.8 mi · 9 min · Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Exit 8 Toward FL 60: Kennedy Boulevard, Downtown - East Use the slight right lane.
19

Turn straight onto US 41 Business; FL 60

0.4 mi · 1 min · East Kennedy Boulevard
20

Arrive at destination

FL 60

Trip Plan

To keep your 3 hour and 58 minute trip manageable, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the frequent turns. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid the fatigue that comes with navigating local roads for nearly four hours. Since the route is entirely local, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as you will not have the convenience of frequent highway service plazas. Given the $44 fuel cost, try to fill up before you head out to avoid searching for stations in unfamiliar local corridors. Flexibility is your greatest asset here, so take advantage of the single-day timeframe to rest whenever you feel the need to reset.

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 133.3 miles from Sunrise, FL, or about 2h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 236 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 34m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 133.3 miles or 2h 32m 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 4m

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 Sunrise, 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 Sunrise, FL

This is one driving day of about 266.7 miles and 4h 57m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Sunrise, 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 236 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 133.3 mi from Sunrise, FL · 2h 32m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Punta Gorda, FL

133 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

Bonita Springs, FL

Fuel and coffee

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

Punta Gorda, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 133.3 miles from Sunrise, 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 236 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

$44.55 one way

$89.10 round trip

$4.24/gal 25.4 MPG avg 93 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.60 $48.26 $96.52
premium $4.90 $51.41 $102.82
diesel $5.64 $59.25 $118.50

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

$45

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$70–$95

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 93.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 80 0 $28.00 $12.80
Efficient EV 66.7 0 $23.34 $10.67
EV Truck/SUV 106.7 1 $37.34 $17.07

Gas CO2

93 kg

EV CO2

31 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 22 hours ago

Origin

Sunrise, FL

Evening in Sunrise on Sunday

Local time

5:39 PM

EDT

Current temp

71°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Tampa, FL

Evening in Tampa on Sunday

Local time

5:39 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

3 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 57m 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 Sunrise, FL to Tampa, FL covers 266.7 miles and takes about 4h 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, Port Everglades Expressway, 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 133.3 miles from Sunrise, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $44.55 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 16 significant decision points across 266.7 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: at 5.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Sunrise, FL to Tampa, FL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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