Origin
Tampa, FL
Morning in Tampa on Friday
Local time
8:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tampa, FL to Alturas, FL
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 15m
Distance
56 mi
90 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Fair
2 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 9m
★
6 AM
1h 15m
8 AM
1h 27m
10 AM
1h 20m
12 PM
1h 18m
3 PM
1h 20m
5 PM
1h 27m
8 PM
1h 12m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tampa, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Alturas, FL
DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ
Trip Overview
The drive from Tampa, FL to Alturas, FL covers 56 miles and takes about 1h 15m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 4, Polk Parkway, Bartow Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 25.8 miles on I 4. At current regular gas prices, budget about $8.91 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 15m. Total distance: 56 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 15m highway drive covering 56 miles, with most of the trip on I 4 and Polk Parkway. The longest continuous stretch is about 25.8 miles on I 4.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 4 is the longest continuous segment at about 25.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 4 and Polk Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near North Ashley Drive.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 56 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (North Ashley Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 1.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North Ashley Drive
Turn right onto North Ashley Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 275 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 275 North
7
1.5 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the exit toward I 4 East: Orlando
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 45B
Toward I 4 East: Orlando
8
27.7 mi into trip
|
~32m in
Take the exit toward FL 570 Toll East: Lakeland, Winter Haven
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 27
Toward FL 570 Toll East: Lakeland, Winter Haven
8
37.6 mi into trip
|
~44m in
Take the exit toward US 98: Lakeland, Bartow
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 10
Toward US 98: Lakeland, Bartow
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Tampa, FL and Alturas, FL, road signs point toward Winter Haven and Bartow.
Winter Haven
27.7 mi in
|
~32m
Bartow
37.6 mi in
|
~44m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 4 | 25.8 mi | 28m |
| Polk Parkway | 9.4 mi | 10m |
| Bartow Road | 6.9 mi | 9m |
| FL 60 | 4.7 mi | 6m |
| Cox Road | 2.4 mi | 5m |
| 80 Foot Road | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| East Central Avenue | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| I 275 | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 4
— 25.8 mi, about 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tampa, FL and Alturas, FL.
1
Start on FL 60
400 ft
·
17 sec
·
East Kennedy Boulevard
2
Turn right onto North Ashley Drive
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
North Ashley Drive
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward I 275
4
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Toward I 275 North
Use the slight right lane.
5
Merge onto I 275
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
I 275
6
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 45B
Toward I 4 East: Orlando
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 4
26 mi
·
28 min
·
I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Exit 27
Toward FL 570 Toll East: Lakeland, Winter Haven
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on FL 570 Toll
9.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Polk Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Exit 10
Toward US 98: Lakeland, Bartow
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn right onto US 98
6.9 mi
·
9 min
·
Bartow Road
Use the right lane.
12
Continue on US 98
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Broadway Avenue
13
Turn left onto US 98; FL 60
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Van Fleet Drive
Use the left lane.
14
Continue on FL 60
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
FL 60
15
Continue on FL 60
4.4 mi
·
6 min
·
FL 60
Use the straight lane.
16
Turn right onto CR 655A
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
80 Foot Road
17
Turn left onto CR 655A
2.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Cox Road
18
Turn right onto East Central Avenue
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
East Central Avenue
19
Arrive at destination
Central Avenue
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 28 mi from Tampa, FL · 32m 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 Tampa, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Alturas, FL
The final approach into Alturas, 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
$8.91 one way
$17.83 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
20 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $9.70 | $19.39 |
| premium | $4.72 | $10.41 | $20.83 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $12.36 | $24.73 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$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 | $5.88 | $2.69 |
| Efficient EV | 14 | 0 | $4.90 | $2.24 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 22.4 | 0 | $7.84 | $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
Alturas, FL
Morning in Alturas on Friday
Local time
8:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°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
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
1h 15m 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 Tampa, FL to Alturas, FL covers 56 miles and takes about 1h 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 4, Polk Parkway, Bartow Road. 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 Tampa, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.91 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 56 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (North Ashley Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 1.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Tampa, FL and Alturas, FL, road signs point toward Winter Haven and Bartow.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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