Origin
Williston, FL
Evening in Williston on Wednesday
Local time
7:34 PM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Williston, FL to Tampa, FL
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
2h 14m
Distance
117 mi
188 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 5m
★
6 AM
2h 14m
8 AM
2h 33m
10 AM
2h 21m
12 PM
2h 19m
3 PM
2h 22m
5 PM
2h 32m
8 PM
2h 9m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Williston, FL
Matt Fitz Gibaud
Tampa, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Williston to Tampa covers 117 miles of central Florida, a journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 14 minutes. Because of the manageable distance, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach the Gulf Coast with plenty of time to spare. You will primarily navigate via I-75 South and I-275 South before transitioning onto the Downtown East-West corridors. Budgeting approximately $20 for fuel should cover your needs for this direct trek. Whether you are heading south for business or a change of scenery, the simplicity of this drive makes it a straightforward transition between the regions.
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
58.5 miles from Williston, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 7m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that requires your full attention, particularly as you navigate the transition from rural roads into the denser traffic patterns near Tampa. Unlike a flat, monotonous interstate grind, this route demands active steering and frequent adjustments as you move through the various interchanges. While the trip is relatively short, the lack of long, uninterrupted stretches means you will be constantly shifting your focus between local road segments and the highway flow. The personality of this drive is defined by its transition from the quiet interior of the state into the bustling urban environment of the city.
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 78 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
168 ft
15 ft
Total Climb
160 ft
Total Descent
218 ft
Highest Point
168 ft
~16.7 mi in
Elevation Range
153 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and East Noble Avenue. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 21.3 miles in.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 117 miles you will encounter 8 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: at 21.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 21.6 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 99.6 miles (I 275): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
21.3 mi into trip
|
~27m in
Take the exit toward I 75 South: Tampa
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 75 South: Tampa
5
21.6 mi into trip
|
~28m in
|
I 75
Merge onto I 75
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
99.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 51m in
|
I 275
Keep slight right at fork onto I 275 toward I 275 South: Tampa, Saint Petersburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 274
Toward I 275 South: Tampa, Saint Petersburg
7
115.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 10m in
Take the exit toward Downtown East-West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 45A
Toward Downtown East-West
9
116.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 11m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Downtown East, Jefferson Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Downtown East, Jefferson Street
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 Williston, FL to Tampa, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Petersburg along the way.
Saint Petersburg
99.6 mi in
|
~1h 51m
|
via I 275
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 78 mi | 1h 23m |
| East Noble Avenue | 21.3 mi | 27m |
| I 275 | 15.9 mi | 19m |
| North Orange Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Pierce Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| East Kennedy Boulevard | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 78 mi, about 1h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Williston, FL and Tampa, FL.
1
Start on US 27
21 mi
·
27 min
·
East Noble Avenue
2
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Toward I 75 South: Tampa
3
Merge onto I 75
78 mi
·
1 hr 23 min
·
I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Keep slight right at fork onto I 275
16 mi
·
19 min
·
I 275
Exit 274
Toward I 275 South: Tampa, Saint Petersburg
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 45A
Toward Downtown East-West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork
251 ft
·
6 sec
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward Downtown East, Jefferson Street
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on North Orange Avenue
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
North Orange Avenue
Use the straight lane.
9
Turn straight onto Pierce Street
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Pierce Street
10
Turn right onto US 41 Business; FL 60
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
East Kennedy Boulevard
11
Arrive at destination
FL 60
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 2-hour and 14-minute run, you have the flexibility to depart whenever it suits your schedule, though avoiding peak rush hours in the Tampa metro area will save you significant frustration. You will not need to plan for any extended stops given the short duration, but having your $20 fuel budget ready ahead of time keeps the journey moving efficiently. Pay close attention to the signage as you merge onto I-275 South, as the navigation through the downtown corridor requires quick reactions. Take advantage of the trip’s short length by leaving early in the morning to maximize your time once you arrive at 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 58.5 miles from Williston, FL, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78 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 80 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.5 miles or 1h 7m 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tampa, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Williston, 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 Williston, FL
This is one driving day of about 117 miles and 2h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Williston, 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 I 75 for about 78 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 58.5 mi from Williston, FL · 1h 7m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
59 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 58.5 miles from Williston, 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 78 miles.
Arriving in Tampa, FL
The final approach into Tampa, 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 Tampa, 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
$18.62 one way
$37.25 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
41 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $20.26 | $40.52 |
| premium | $4.72 | $21.76 | $43.51 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $25.83 | $51.66 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.1 | 0 | $12.29 | $5.62 |
| Efficient EV | 29.3 | 0 | $10.24 | $4.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 46.8 | 0 | $16.38 | $7.49 |
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (66% 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
Tampa, FL
Evening in Tampa on Wednesday
Local time
7:34 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°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
16 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
2h 14m 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 Williston, FL to Tampa, FL covers 117 miles and takes about 2h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, East Noble Avenue, 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 58.5 miles from Williston, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.62 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 117 miles you will encounter 8 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: at 21.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 21.6 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 99.6 miles (I 275): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Williston, FL to Tampa, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Petersburg along the way.
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