Origin
Tampa, FL
Afternoon in Tampa on Sunday
Local time
3:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tampa, FL to Brandon, FL
Drive Time
18m
Distance
11.9 mi
19 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 17m
★
6 AM
0h 19m
8 AM
0h 22m
10 AM
0h 20m
12 PM
0h 20m
3 PM
0h 20m
5 PM
0h 22m
8 PM
0h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tampa, FL
Arian Fernandez
Brandon, FL
DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Tampa to Brandon, you are looking at a quick and straightforward 11.9-mile journey. Typically, this drive takes about 18 minutes to complete, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. You will primarily navigate via the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway, Adamo Drive, and West Brandon Boulevard. Budgeting for this short excursion is easy, as you should expect to spend only about $2 on fuel. Because the route stays entirely within Florida, you won't need to worry about major regional shifts or overnight stays. It is a highly practical connection for those moving between these two Florida hubs.
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
5.9 miles from Tampa, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 8m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mixed driving experience as you transition from city streets to the more fluid pace of the expressway. The route is composed of 44% highway driving, which allows for a brief period of steady cruising before you reach your destination. You will spend your longest uninterrupted stretch covering 5.2 miles on the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway. The character of the road shifts noticeably as you move off the expressway and merge onto West Brandon Boulevard to finish your trip. Overall, it is a functional, efficient drive that balances fast-paced highway segments with local road connectivity.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Lee Roy Selmon Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 5.2 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 early in the drive near US 41 Business / North Tampa Street.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 11.9 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 (US 41 Business / North Tampa Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.1 miles (US 41 Business; FL 60 / East Jackson Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.9 miles (FL 618 Toll / Lee Roy Selmon Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 41 Business / North Tampa Street
Turn left onto US 41 Business / North Tampa Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 41 Business; FL 60 / East Jackson Street
Turn left onto US 41 Business; FL 60 / East Jackson Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
0.9 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
FL 618 Toll / Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
Merge onto FL 618 Toll / Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
6.1 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Take the exit toward 78th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 12
Toward 78th Street
6
10.2 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
FL 60 / West Brandon Boulevard
Keep slight right at fork onto FL 60 / West Brandon Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / none lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Lee Roy Selmon Expressway | 5.2 mi | 6m |
| West Brandon Boulevard | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| Adamo Drive | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| East Jackson Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| South 78th Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North Nebraska Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| North Tampa Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| East Kennedy Boulevard | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
— 5.2 mi, about 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tampa, FL and Brandon, FL.
1
Start on FL 60
118 ft
·
10 sec
·
East Kennedy Boulevard
2
Turn left onto US 41 Business
296 ft
·
12 sec
·
North Tampa Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
3
Turn left onto US 41 Business; FL 60
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East Jackson Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
Keep slight left at fork onto East Jackson Street
69 ft
·
3 sec
·
East Jackson Street
5
Turn left onto North Nebraska Avenue
404 ft
·
9 sec
·
North Nebraska Avenue
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Toward FL 618 Toll East: Brandon
7
Merge onto FL 618 Toll
5.2 mi
·
6 min
·
Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
Use the none lane.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 12
Toward 78th Street
Use the slight right lane.
9
Turn right onto South 78th Street
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
South 78th Street
10
Turn slight right
274 ft
·
15 sec
11
Turn straight onto FL 60
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Adamo Drive
Use the none lane.
12
Continue on FL 60
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
West Brandon Boulevard
Use the left / none lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto FL 60
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
West Brandon Boulevard
Use the left / none lanes.
14
Continue on FL 60
98 ft
·
9 sec
·
West Brandon Boulevard
Use the left lane.
15
Arrive at destination
FL 60
Trip Plan
Since this is a short 18-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though it is always wise to account for potential traffic flow on the main arteries. You will not need to plan for any scheduled stops given the brief duration of the drive. Keep in mind that while the fuel cost is low at $2, maintaining your vehicle’s efficiency is always a good practice on these urban routes. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to monitor the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway traffic reports before you leave, as this 5.2-mile stretch is the primary artery for your journey. By staying aware of the flow on the expressway, you can ensure a smooth and predictable transit from Tampa to Brandon.
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 5.9 miles from Tampa, FL, or about 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 5.2 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 11.9 miles or 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 5.9 miles or 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brandon, 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 11.9 miles and 18m.
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 Lee Roy Selmon Expressway for about 5.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 5.9 mi from Tampa, FL · 8m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
6 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 11.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 5.9 miles from Tampa, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Brandon, FL
The final approach into Brandon, 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 Brandon, 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
$1.99 one way
$3.98 round trip
$4.24/gal
25.4 MPG avg
4 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $2.15 | $4.31 |
| premium | $4.90 | $2.29 | $4.59 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $2.64 | $5.29 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.52
Selmon Expressway
(5.2 mi)
$0.52
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
$2
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 4.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.6 | 0 | $1.25 | $0.57 |
| Efficient EV | 3 | 0 | $1.04 | $0.48 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 4.8 | 0 | $1.67 | $0.76 |
Gas CO2
4 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (75% 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
Brandon, FL
Afternoon in Brandon on Sunday
Local time
3:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°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
5 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
18m 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 Brandon, FL covers 11.9 miles and takes about 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Lee Roy Selmon Expressway, West Brandon Boulevard, Adamo Drive. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 5.9 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 $1.99 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 11.9 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 (US 41 Business / North Tampa Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.1 miles (US 41 Business; FL 60 / East Jackson Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.9 miles (FL 618 Toll / Lee Roy Selmon Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Tampa, FL to Brandon, FL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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