Origin
Tampa, FL
Late night in Tampa on Wednesday
Local time
5:05 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tampa, FL to Odessa, FL
Data updated 2 hours ago
Drive Time
37m
Distance
27.6 mi
44 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 35m
★
6 AM
0h 38m
8 AM
0h 44m
10 AM
0h 40m
12 PM
0h 39m
3 PM
0h 40m
5 PM
0h 44m
8 PM
0h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tampa, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Odessa, FL
Larry Milligan
Trip Overview
Planning a quick trip from Tampa to Odessa, Florida? This straightforward 27.6-mile drive typically takes about 37 minutes, making it an easy day trip. You'll primarily be on Veterans Expressway, Suncoast Parkway, and I-275, with 80% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost is around $4, so you won't need to budget much for gas. This route is a great option if you're looking for a simple, efficient way to get between these two points within Florida. It’s a short enough distance that you can easily fit it into your schedule without needing an overnight stay.
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
13.8 miles from Tampa, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 19m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, meaning you’ll experience a consistent pace for most of the 27.6 miles. With 80% of the route on main roads like Veterans Expressway and Suncoast Parkway, expect smooth sailing and relatively high speeds. The longest uninterrupted stretch you’ll encounter is 10.1 miles on Veterans Expressway. While not a scenic tour, this highway-centric profile ensures an efficient journey, allowing you to cover the distance quickly without many interruptions. The character remains largely consistent, prioritizing direct travel.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Veterans Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 10.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Veterans Expressway and Suncoast Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 27.6 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 0.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.7 miles (FL 589 Toll / Veterans Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
5 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Take the exit toward FL 60 West: Tampa International Airport, Clearwater
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 39
Toward FL 60 West: Tampa International Airport,...
7
5.7 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
FL 589 Toll / Veterans Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 589 Toll / Veterans Expressway toward FL 589 Toll
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward FL 589 Toll
7
19.1 mi into trip
|
~26m in
|
FL 589 Toll / Suncoast Parkway
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 589 Toll / Suncoast Parkway toward Crystal River
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward Crystal River
8
23.8 mi into trip
|
~32m in
Take the exit toward FL 54: New Port Richey, Zephyrhills
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 19
Toward FL 54: New Port Richey, Zephyrhills
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 Odessa, FL, road signs point toward Clearwater, Crystal River and Zephyrhills.
Clearwater
5 mi in
|
~8m
Crystal River
19.1 mi in
|
~26m
|
via FL 589 Toll
Zephyrhills
23.8 mi in
|
~32m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Veterans Expressway | 10.1 mi | 13m |
| Suncoast Parkway | 4.7 mi | 5m |
| I 275 | 3.9 mi | 5m |
| State Road 54 | 3.3 mi | 4m |
| FL 589 Toll Express Lane | 3.2 mi | 4m |
| Memorial Highway | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| North Ashley Drive | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| East Kennedy Boulevard | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Veterans Expressway
— 10.1 mi, about 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tampa, FL and Odessa, 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 left at fork
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
Toward I 275 South
Use the slight left lane.
5
Merge onto I 275
3.9 mi
·
5 min
·
I 275
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 39
Toward FL 60 West: Tampa International Airport, Clearwater
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto FL 60
0.4 mi
·
35 sec
·
Memorial Highway
Toward FL 60, FL 589 Toll: Tampa International Airport, Clearwater
8
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 589 Toll
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Veterans Expressway
Toward FL 589 Toll
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 589 Toll
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
FL 589 Toll Express Lane
10
Merge onto FL 589 Toll
0.6 mi
·
48 sec
·
Veterans Expressway
11
Keep slight right at fork onto FL 589 Toll
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Veterans Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 589 Toll
4.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Suncoast Parkway
Toward Crystal River
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 19
Toward FL 54: New Port Richey, Zephyrhills
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn straight onto FL 54
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
State Road 54
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on FL 54
246 ft
·
9 sec
·
State Road 54
16
Arrive at destination
FL 54
Trip Plan
Given the short 37-minute duration, this route from Tampa to Odessa offers a lot of flexibility. You can leave whenever it suits you best, and there's no real need to plan for extensive stops. With a fuel cost estimate of just $4, refueling shouldn't be a major concern. Since the longest stretch on Veterans Expressway is just over 10 miles, you can easily find services if needed. The main roads are well-maintained, so keep an eye on your speed and enjoy the direct path to your destination.
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 13.8 miles from Tampa, FL, or about 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 10.1 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 27.6 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 13.8 miles or 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Odessa, 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 27.6 miles and 37m.
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 Veterans Expressway for about 10.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 13.8 mi from Tampa, FL · 19m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
14 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 27.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 13.8 miles from Tampa, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Odessa, FL
The final approach into Odessa, 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 Odessa, 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
$4.39 one way
$8.79 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
10 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $4.78 | $9.56 |
| premium | $4.72 | $5.13 | $10.26 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $6.09 | $12.19 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.08
Veterans Expressway
(10.1 mi)
$0.80
Suncoast Parkway
(4.7 mi)
$0.28
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
$4
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 9.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 8.3 | 0 | $2.90 | $1.32 |
| Efficient EV | 6.9 | 0 | $2.42 | $1.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 11 | 0 | $3.86 | $1.77 |
Gas CO2
10 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (70% 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
Odessa, FL
Late night in Odessa on Wednesday
Local time
5:05 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°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
1 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
37m 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 Odessa, FL covers 27.6 miles and takes about 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Veterans Expressway, Suncoast Parkway, I 275. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 13.8 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 $4.39 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 13 significant decision points across 27.6 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 0.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.7 miles (FL 589 Toll / Veterans Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Tampa, FL and Odessa, FL, road signs point toward Clearwater, Crystal River and Zephyrhills.
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