Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
1h 13m
Distance
61.2 mi
98 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tampa, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Southgate, FL
Arian Fernandez
This straightforward 61.2-mile drive from Tampa to Southgate, Florida, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 1 hour and 13 minutes. The majority of your journey, 87% of it, will be on major highways, primarily I-75 and the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway, before transitioning to Fruitville Road. With a fuel cost estimated at $10, this route is budget-friendly for a quick trip. Given the short duration and focused highway profile, it’s an easy one-day commitment, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. You'll be traveling within the same state, Florida, making for a consistent regional experience.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 13m. Total distance: 61.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Expect a highway-focused drive for most of this 61.2-mile trip, with 87% of the route utilizing major expressways. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 45.4 miles on I-75, offering consistent speed and minimal distractions. The Lee Roy Selmon Expressway also contributes to the high-speed nature of the journey. As you approach your destination, the route shifts to Fruitville Road, providing a change of pace from the interstate environment. This blend offers efficiency with a touch of local road experience towards the end.
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.
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 61.2 miles you will encounter 14 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 8.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto US 41 Business / North Tampa Street
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto US 41 Business; FL 60 / East Jackson Street
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward I 75 South: Naples
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Take the exit toward FL 780: Sarasota, St Armads
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward FL 780 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Tampa, FL to Southgate, FL, road signs begin pointing toward St Armads along the way.
St Armads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 45.4 mi | 48m |
| Lee Roy Selmon Expressway | 7.8 mi | 9m |
| Fruitville Road | 4 mi | 6m |
| North Tuttle Avenue | 2 mi | 4m |
| East Jackson Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Webber Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North Nebraska Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| North Tampa Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Tampa, FL and Southgate, FL.
Start on FL 60
Turn left onto US 41 Business
Turn left onto US 41 Business; FL 60
Keep slight left at fork onto East Jackson Street
Turn left onto North Nebraska Avenue
Take the ramp
Merge onto FL 618 Toll
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 75
Take the exit
Continue on this road
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto FL 780
Turn left onto North Tuttle Avenue
Turn left onto Webber Street
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 30.6 mi from Tampa, FL · 35m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
31 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.
A short stop after about 13 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 30.6 miles from Tampa, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Southgate, 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.
Regular Gas
$9.74 one way
$19.48 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $10.60 | $21.19 |
| premium | $4.72 | $11.38 | $22.76 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $13.51 | $27.02 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.78
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$10
Tolls
$1
Total
$11
Estimated CO2 emission: 21.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 18.4 | 0 | $6.43 | $2.94 |
| Efficient EV | 15.3 | 0 | $5.35 | $2.45 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 24.5 | 0 | $8.57 | $3.92 |
Gas CO2
21 kg
EV CO2
7 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Tampa on Thursday
Local time
11:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Mostly Clear
Destination
Night in Southgate on Thursday
Local time
11:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
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.
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