Planning a trip from Winter Beach to Tampa, Florida? This 137.9-mile drive will take you about 3 hours and 4 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day adventure. The route primarily utilizes FL 60 and the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway, with a significant portion on highways. You can expect to spend around $22 on fuel for this journey. This drive is straightforward, focusing on efficient travel across Florida's diverse landscapes, and is best suited for those looking to get from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
68.9 miles from Winter Beach, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 30m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 4m. Total distance: 137.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 72% of the journey taking place on faster roads. You'll encounter a substantial uninterrupted stretch of 94.5 miles along FL 60, offering a consistent pace. While the main roads like FL 60 and the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway keep you moving, expect a mix of speeds and road types as you transition through different areas. The character of the drive shifts from more open highway to potentially more urbanized sections as you approach Tampa.
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.
FL 60 is the longest continuous segment at about 94.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on FL 60 and 20th Street. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in near CR 613 / 58th Avenue.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 4m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles (CR 613 / 58th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 8.1 miles (FL 60 / 20th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 96.8 miles (Flamingo Drive): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
1.6 mi into trip|~3m in|CR 613 / 58th Avenue
Turn left onto CR 613 / 58th Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
8.1 mi into trip|~13m in|FL 60 / 20th Street
Turn right onto FL 60 / 20th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
96.8 mi into trip|~2h 6m in|Flamingo Drive
Take the exit onto Flamingo Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
132 mi into trip|~2h 56m 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.
8
137.3 mi into trip|~3h 3m in
Take the exit toward FL 60: Kennedy Boulevard, Downtown - East
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 8
Toward FL 60: Kennedy Boulevard, Downtown - Eas...
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
FL 60
94.5 mi
2h 3m
20th Street
24.6 mi
30m
Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
5.2 mi
6m
66th Avenue
3 mi
4m
58th Avenue
2.5 mi
4m
East Adamo Drive
2.1 mi
3m
Main Street
1.7 mi
3m
69th Street
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
FL 60
— 94.5 mi, about 2h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Winter Beach, FL and Tampa, FL.
1
Start on 69th Street
1.6 mi·2 min·69th Street
2
Turn left onto CR 613
2.5 mi·4 min·58th Avenue
3
Turn right onto 49th Street
1.0 mi·1 min·49th Street
4
Turn left onto CR 615
3.0 mi·4 min·66th Avenue
Use the left lane.
5
Turn right onto FL 60
25 mi·30 min·20th Street
Use the right lane.
6
Continue on FL 60
64 mi·1 hr 21 min·FL 60
Use the left lane.
7
Take the exit onto Flamingo Drive
0.5 mi·53 sec·Flamingo Drive
Use the left lane.
8
Continue on Main Street
1.7 mi·3 min·Main Street
9
Turn left onto FL 60
26 mi·34 min·FL 60
Use the left / straight lanes.
10
Continue on FL 60
4.5 mi·7 min·FL 60
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
11
Turn straight onto FL 60
0.4 mi·35 sec·Adamo Drive
12
Continue on FL 60
2.1 mi·3 min·East Adamo Drive
Use the left / straight lanes.
13
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward FL 618 Toll West
14
Merge onto FL 618 Toll
5.2 mi·6 min·Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 8Toward FL 60: Kennedy Boulevard, Downtown - EastUse the slight right lane.
16
Turn straight onto US 41 Business; FL 60
0.4 mi·1 min·East Kennedy Boulevard
17
Arrive at destination
FL 60
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour drive, starting early can help you avoid potential traffic, especially as you get closer to Tampa. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in how you pace yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a significant change in road is quite long. Given the manageable distance and duration, this trip doesn't require an overnight stay, allowing for a spontaneous departure. A good tip is to be aware of the transition onto the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway, as it's a tolled route into Tampa.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 68.9 miles from Winter Beach, FL, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 94.5 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 30 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68.9 miles or 1h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 29m
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 Winter Beach, 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 Winter Beach, FL
This is one driving day of about 137.9 miles and 3h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Winter Beach, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on FL 60 for about 94.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 68.9 mi from Winter Beach, FL
· 1h 30m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.52 one way
$45.04 round trip
$4.15/gal25.4 MPG avg48 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$24.95
$49.90
premium
$4.90
$26.58
$53.16
diesel
$4.35
$23.62
$47.23
Estimated Tolls: $0.52
Selmon Expressway
(5.2 mi)$0.52
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
$23
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.2 kg one way.
EV Charging Along Route
3 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: good
Blink Charging Station
Bartow, Florida
Blink
1 DCFC
Pilot Flying J Charging Station
Okeechobee, Florida
Other
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Bartow, Florida
Tesla
1 DCFC
Blink: 1
Other: 1
Tesla: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
41.4
0
$14.48
$6.62
Efficient EV
34.5
0
$12.07
$5.52
EV Truck/SUV
55.2
0
$19.31
$8.83
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Winter Beach, FL
Morning
in Winter Beach on Saturday
Local time
10:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tampa, FL
Morning
in Tampa on Saturday
Local time
10:32 AM
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
1 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
3h 4m 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 Winter Beach, FL to Tampa, FL covers 137.9 miles and takes about 3h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are FL 60, 20th Street, Lee Roy Selmon Expressway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 68.9 miles from Winter Beach, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.52 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 3h 4m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles (CR 613 / 58th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 8.1 miles (FL 60 / 20th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 96.8 miles (Flamingo Drive): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Winter Beach, FL to Tampa, 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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
