Origin
Tampa, FL
Afternoon in Tampa on Friday
Local time
12:07 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tampa, FL to Buckingham, FL
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 27m
Distance
128.8 mi
207 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 17m
★
6 AM
2h 27m
8 AM
2h 47m
10 AM
2h 34m
12 PM
2h 32m
3 PM
2h 35m
5 PM
2h 46m
8 PM
2h 21m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tampa, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Buckingham, FL
Matt Fitz Gibaud
Trip Overview
Tampa to Buckingham is 128.8 miles and takes about 2h 27m via I 75, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Florida, making it a straightforward journey primarily on highways. Expect a drive that is 95% on major roadways, designed for efficiency rather than scenic detours. Given its relatively short duration and highway focus, this trip is well-suited for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
64.4 miles from Tampa, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 11m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 27m. Total distance: 128.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This drive is overwhelmingly a highway-focused experience, with 95% of the journey utilizing major roads like I 75 and the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway. You'll encounter long stretches of consistent speed, including one uninterrupted segment of 114.6 miles on I 75. While the primary roads are designed for speed, you will briefly transition to Orange River Boulevard as you approach your destination. The character of the drive is largely about covering distance efficiently, with minimal slowdowns or complex navigation once you're on the interstate.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 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 114.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Lee Roy Selmon Expressway. 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.
Driving Effort
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 128.8 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 8.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 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.
6
8.7 mi into trip
|
~11m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 75 South: Naples
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 15A
Toward I 75 South: Naples
8
123.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 15m in
Take the exit toward FL 80: Fort Myers, La Belle
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 141
Toward FL 80: Fort Myers, La Belle
7
124.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 16m in
Keep slight left at fork toward FL 80 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward FL 80 East
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 114.6 mi | 2h 2m |
| Lee Roy Selmon Expressway | 7.8 mi | 9m |
| Orange River Boulevard | 4.2 mi | 10m |
| East Jackson Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Palm Beach Boulevard | 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:
I 75
— 114.6 mi, about 2h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tampa, FL and Buckingham, 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
7.8 mi
·
9 min
·
Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 15A
Toward I 75 South: Naples
9
Merge onto I 75
56 mi
·
59 min
·
I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
59 mi
·
1 hr 3 min
·
I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 141
Toward FL 80: Fort Myers, La Belle
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
208 ft
·
7 sec
Toward FL 80 East
Use the left lane.
13
Turn left onto FL 80
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
Palm Beach Boulevard
14
Turn right onto Orange River Boulevard
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
·
Orange River Boulevard
15
Continue on Orange River Boulevard
4.0 mi
·
9 min
·
Orange River Boulevard
16
Turn left onto Buckingham Road
64 ft
·
1 sec
·
Buckingham Road
17
Arrive at destination
Buckingham Road
Trip Plan
Given this is a 2h 27m drive, you have considerable flexibility with departure times. Leaving Tampa in the morning allows you to arrive in Buckingham with plenty of daylight. The majority of this route is on highways, so plan your fuel stops accordingly, as services can be more spaced out on interstates. While there are no mandatory stops suggested, consider a quick break around the halfway point if needed. Keep an eye out for the transition from I 75 to local roads as you get closer to Buckingham, as this is where navigation becomes more critical.
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 64.4 miles from Tampa, FL, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 114.6 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 28 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 64.4 miles or 1h 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Buckingham, 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 128.8 miles and 2h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Tampa, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 114.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 64.4 mi from Tampa, FL · 1h 11m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
64 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 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 64.4 miles from Tampa, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 114.6 miles.
Arriving in Buckingham, FL
The final approach into Buckingham, 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 Buckingham, 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
$20.50 one way
$41.00 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
45 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $22.30 | $44.60 |
| premium | $4.72 | $23.95 | $47.90 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $28.44 | $56.87 |
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
$21
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 45.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 38.6 | 0 | $13.52 | $6.18 |
| Efficient EV | 32.2 | 0 | $11.27 | $5.15 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 51.5 | 0 | $18.03 | $8.24 |
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 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
Buckingham, FL
Afternoon in Buckingham on Friday
Local time
12:07 PM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Sunny
ENE 6 mph
0% chance
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
21 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
2h 27m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 Buckingham, FL covers 128.8 miles and takes about 2h 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, Lee Roy Selmon Expressway, Orange River Boulevard. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 64.4 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 $20.50 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 14 significant decision points across 128.8 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 8.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
The route from Tampa, FL to Buckingham, FL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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