Origin
Tampa, FL
Afternoon in Tampa on Sunday
Local time
4:33 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tampa, FL to Belleair Beach, FL
Drive Time
43m
Distance
26.7 mi
43 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 40m
★
6 AM
0h 44m
8 AM
0h 51m
10 AM
0h 47m
12 PM
0h 46m
3 PM
0h 47m
5 PM
0h 51m
8 PM
0h 42m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tampa, FL
Arian Fernandez
Belleair Beach, FL
Brent Singleton
Trip Overview
If you are looking to escape the city for the coast, the 26.7-mile trek from Tampa to Belleair Beach is an efficient journey that typically takes about 43 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, allowing you to head out and return home without the need for an overnight stay. You will primarily utilize I-275, East Bay Drive, and Ulmerton Road to traverse the distance. With a fuel budget of approximately $4, it is a very cost-effective way to transition from the urban environment of Tampa to the beachside atmosphere of the Florida coast. Because the trip is short and straightforward, it offers maximum flexibility for your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
13.4 miles from Tampa, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 18m into the drive .
Drive Character
This drive features a mixed profile that transitions from high-speed interstate travel to local thoroughfares. You will spend about 48% of the journey on the highway, with your longest uninterrupted stretch covering 11.9 miles on I-275. After exiting the interstate, the character of the road shifts as you navigate East Bay Drive and Ulmerton Road toward the coast. Expect a balance between the steady flow of highway driving and the stop-and-go nature of local roads. It is a functional drive that efficiently connects the interior regions to the water, changing in tempo as you reach your destination.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 275 is the longest continuous segment at about 11.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 26.7 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 0.1 miles (North Ashley Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 13 miles (FL 688; CR 803): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 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.
7
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 275 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 275 South
8
13 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
FL 688; CR 803
Take the exit onto FL 688; CR 803 toward FL 688 West: St Pete–Clearwater International Airport, Indian Rocks Beach, Largo
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 31
Toward FL 688 West: St Pete–Clearwater Internat...
8
13.2 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
FL 688 / Ulmerton Road
Keep slight right at fork onto FL 688 / Ulmerton Road toward FL 688 West: St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport, Ulmerton Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward FL 688 West: St. Pete-Clearwater Interna...
6
26.4 mi into trip
|
~43m in
|
Gulf Boulevard
At end of road, turn right onto Gulf Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Towns Along This Route
Between Tampa, FL and Belleair Beach, FL, road signs point toward Indian Rocks Beach, Largo and St. Petersburg–Clearwater International Airport.
Indian Rocks Beach
13 mi in
|
~17m
|
via FL 688; CR 803
Largo
13 mi in
|
~17m
|
via FL 688; CR 803
St. Petersburg–Clearwater International Airport
16 mi in
|
~22m
|
via FL 686
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 275 | 11.9 mi | 14m |
| East Bay Drive | 3.6 mi | 6m |
| Ulmerton Road | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| Roosevelt Boulevard | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| West Bay Drive | 2.3 mi | 5m |
| South Belleair Causeway | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Gateway Expressway | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| Causeway Boulevard | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 275
— 11.9 mi, about 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tampa, FL and Belleair Beach, FL.
1
Start on FL 60
400 ft
·
17 sec
·
East Kennedy Boulevard
Use the none lane.
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
Use the none lane.
4
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
Toward I 275 South
Use the slight left lane.
5
Merge onto I 275
12 mi
·
14 min
·
I 275
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit onto FL 688; CR 803
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
FL 688; CR 803
Exit 31
Toward FL 688 West: St Pete–Clearwater International Airport, Indian Rocks Beach, Largo
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto FL 688
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Ulmerton Road
Toward FL 688 West: St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport, Ulmerton Road
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
Turn slight right onto FL 686
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Roosevelt Boulevard
Toward Roosevelt Boulevard, St. Petersburg–Clearwater International Airport
Use the right lane.
9
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
10
Merge onto FL 686A Toll
0.6 mi
·
48 sec
·
Gateway Expressway
11
Turn straight onto FL 686
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Roosevelt Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on FL 686
3.6 mi
·
6 min
·
East Bay Drive
Use the none lane.
13
Continue on CR 416
2.3 mi
·
5 min
·
West Bay Drive
Use the left / none lanes.
14
Continue on CR 416
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Belleair Causeway
15
Continue on CR 416
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Causeway Boulevard
16
At end of road, turn right onto Gulf Boulevard
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
Gulf Boulevard
Use the right lane.
17
Arrive at destination
Gulf Boulevard
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 43-minute trip, you have the advantage of planning your departure around your personal preferences rather than worrying about strict timing or overnight fatigue. You will not need to plan for any formal stops along the way, as the 26.7-mile distance is easily manageable in one go. Keep in mind that your fuel costs will hover around $4, so a quick check of your gas gauge before leaving Tampa is usually sufficient. To ensure the smoothest experience, keep an eye on traffic patterns when transitioning from I-275 onto the local roads like Ulmerton Road. Embracing the flexibility of this short drive is your best strategy for a stress-free day on the road.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 13.4 miles from Tampa, FL, or about 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 11.9 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 26.7 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 13.4 miles or 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Belleair Beach, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Tampa, 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 Tampa, FL
This is one driving day of about 26.7 miles and 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Tampa, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 275 for about 11.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 13.4 mi from Tampa, FL · 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
13 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 26.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 13.4 miles from Tampa, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Belleair Beach, FL
The final approach into Belleair Beach, 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 Belleair Beach, FL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$4.46 one way
$8.92 round trip
$4.24/gal
25.4 MPG avg
9 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $4.83 | $9.66 |
| premium | $4.90 | $5.15 | $10.29 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $5.93 | $11.86 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 9.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 8 | 0 | $2.80 | $1.28 |
| Efficient EV | 6.7 | 0 | $2.34 | $1.07 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 10.7 | 0 | $3.74 | $1.71 |
Gas CO2
9 kg
EV CO2
3 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Belleair Beach, FL
Afternoon in Belleair Beach on Sunday
Local time
4:33 PM
EDT
Current temp
--
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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Road read
43m 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 Belleair Beach, FL covers 26.7 miles and takes about 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 275, East Bay Drive, Ulmerton Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 13.4 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 $4.46 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 is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 26.7 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 0.1 miles (North Ashley Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 13 miles (FL 688; CR 803): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Tampa, FL and Belleair Beach, FL, road signs point toward Indian Rocks Beach, Largo and St. Petersburg–Clearwater International Airport.
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