Origin
Tampa, FL
Evening in Tampa on Thursday
Local time
6:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tampa, FL to Laurel, FL
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 17m
Distance
68.8 mi
111 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 12m
★
6 AM
1h 18m
8 AM
1h 30m
10 AM
1h 22m
12 PM
1h 21m
3 PM
1h 23m
5 PM
1h 29m
8 PM
1h 14m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tampa, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Laurel, FL
Wyxina Tresse
Trip Overview
The drive from Tampa, FL to Laurel, FL covers 68.8 miles and takes about 1h 17m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 75, Lee Roy Selmon Expressway, FL 681 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 55.8 miles on I 75. At current regular gas prices, budget about $10.95 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 17m. Total distance: 68.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 17m highway drive covering 68.8 miles, with most of the trip on I 75 and Lee Roy Selmon Expressway. The longest continuous stretch is about 55.8 miles on I 75.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 11 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 55.8 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
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 68.8 miles you will encounter 9 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: 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 9 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 straight / slight right 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
64.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 12m in
|
FL 681
Keep slight right at fork onto FL 681 toward FL 681: Venice, Osprey
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward FL 681: Venice, Osprey
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Tampa, FL to Laurel, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Osprey along the way.
Osprey
64.9 mi in
|
~1h 12m
|
via FL 681
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 55.8 mi | 59m |
| Lee Roy Selmon Expressway | 7.8 mi | 9m |
| FL 681 | 3.9 mi | 5m |
| East Jackson Street | 0.5 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
— 55.8 mi, about 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tampa, FL and Laurel, 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 right at fork onto FL 681
3.9 mi
·
5 min
·
FL 681
Toward FL 681: Venice, Osprey
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Arrive at destination
FL 681
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 34.4 mi from Tampa, FL · 39m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
34 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 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 34.4 miles from Tampa, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Laurel, FL
The final approach into Laurel, 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
$10.95 one way
$21.90 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
24 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $11.91 | $23.83 |
| premium | $4.72 | $12.79 | $25.59 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.19 | $30.38 |
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.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$11
Tolls
$1
Total
$12
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 20.6 | 0 | $7.22 | $3.30 |
| Efficient EV | 17.2 | 0 | $6.02 | $2.75 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 27.5 | 0 | $9.63 | $4.40 |
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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
Laurel, FL
Evening in Laurel on Thursday
Local time
6:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
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
1h 17m 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 Laurel, FL covers 68.8 miles and takes about 1h 17m 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, FL 681. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 34.4 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 $10.95 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 68.8 miles you will encounter 9 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: 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.
On the drive from Tampa, FL to Laurel, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Osprey along the way.
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