Origin
Winter Springs, FL
Late night in Winter Springs on Thursday
Local time
1:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Winter Springs, FL to Tampa, FL
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 1m
Distance
98.6 mi
159 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 53m
★
6 AM
2h 2m
8 AM
2h 19m
10 AM
2h 8m
12 PM
2h 6m
3 PM
2h 9m
5 PM
2h 18m
8 PM
1h 56m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Winter Springs, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Tampa, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Winter Springs to Tampa covers 100.4 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 43 minutes. This trip is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, as it is short enough to avoid the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $16 for fuel to complete the journey. The route primarily traverses the central Florida region, moving from the suburban landscape of Winter Springs into the bustling Tampa metropolitan area. Because the drive is relatively brief, you have the flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule rather than worrying about mid-trip fatigue.
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
49.3 miles from Winter Springs, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 3m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straightforward interstate haul. You will navigate via I-4 West, Ivanhoe Boulevard, and FL 618, which keeps the experience varied and requires more active attention than a monotonous highway cruise. Since the highway share is 0%, your time behind the wheel will be spent navigating local roads, meaning there are no long, uninterrupted stretches of interstate driving. This route demands constant engagement, making it feel less like a passive transit and more like a deliberate navigation through the local landscape.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 4 is the longest continuous segment at about 85.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 4 and US 17. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.8 miles in.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 98.6 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 7.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 95.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
7.8 mi into trip
|
~14m in
Take the exit toward I 4 West: Orlando, Tampa
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 4 West: Orlando, Tampa
7
12.8 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Take the exit toward Ivanhoe Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 84B
Toward Ivanhoe Boulevard
8
95.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 55m in
Take the exit toward FL 618 Toll: Port of Tampa, West Selmon Expressway Toll
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 2
Toward FL 618 Toll: Port of Tampa, West Selmon...
8
95.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 56m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Downtown, West Selmonm Expressway Toll
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Downtown, West Selmonm Expressway Toll
8
98 mi into trip
|
~1h 59m 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 |
|---|---|---|
| I 4 | 85.9 mi | 1h 37m |
| US 17 | 4.4 mi | 7m |
| US 17 Truck | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| Lee Roy Selmon Expressway | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| FL 434 | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| East Kennedy Boulevard | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 4
— 85.9 mi, about 1h 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Winter Springs, FL and Tampa, FL.
1
Start on this road
150 ft
·
13 sec
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn right onto FL 434
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
FL 434
3
Turn left onto US 17; US 92
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
US 17; US 92
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on US 17; US 92
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
US 17; US 92
5
Continue on US 17; US 92
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
US 17; US 92
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on US 17; US 92
217 ft
·
4 sec
·
US 17; US 92
7
Turn slight right onto US 17 Truck; US 92 Truck
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
US 17 Truck; US 92 Truck
Use the right lane.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Toward I 4 West: Orlando, Tampa
Use the slight left lane.
9
Merge onto I 4
4.6 mi
·
6 min
·
I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 84B
Toward Ivanhoe Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
11
Continue on this road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
this road
Toward I 4 West: Tampa
12
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
this road
Toward I 4 West: Tampa
13
Merge onto I 4
81 mi
·
1 hr 31 min
·
I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
59 sec
Exit 2
Toward FL 618 Toll: Port of Tampa, West Selmon Expressway Toll
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Toward Downtown, West Selmonm Expressway Toll
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
Toward Downtown, West Selmon Expressway Toll
17
Merge onto FL 618 Toll
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 8
Toward FL 60: Kennedy Boulevard, Downtown - East
Use the slight right lane.
19
Turn straight onto US 41 Business; FL 60
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
East Kennedy Boulevard
20
Arrive at destination
FL 60
Trip Plan
To ensure a smooth trip, keep in mind that this 100.4-mile trek is best handled in one go since there are no formal stops required. Because the drive relies on local roads rather than high-speed interstates, traffic patterns on Ivanhoe Boulevard and FL 618 can significantly impact your travel time, so check local conditions before pulling out of your driveway. While you only need $16 for gas, filling up before you leave Winter Springs can save you the hassle of finding a station once you hit the tighter, more congested sections of the route. Use the inherent flexibility of this short drive to depart during off-peak hours, which will make maneuvering through the turn-heavy segments much less stressful.
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 49.3 miles from Winter Springs, FL, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85.9 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 22 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.3 miles or 1h 3m 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 39m
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 Springs, 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 Springs, FL
This is one driving day of about 98.6 miles and 2h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Winter Springs, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 4 for about 85.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 49.3 mi from Winter Springs, FL · 1h 3m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
49 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 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 49.3 miles from Winter Springs, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 4 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 85.9 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
$15.69 one way
$31.39 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
35 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $17.07 | $34.15 |
| premium | $4.72 | $18.33 | $36.67 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.77 | $43.54 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.15
Selmon Expressway
(1.5 mi)
$0.15
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
$16
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29.6 | 0 | $10.35 | $4.73 |
| Efficient EV | 24.7 | 0 | $8.63 | $3.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 39.4 | 0 | $13.80 | $6.31 |
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (65% 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
Late night in Tampa on Thursday
Local time
1:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
61°F
Lake Butler, FL
49 mi in
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
4 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
2h 1m 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 Springs, FL to Tampa, FL covers 98.6 miles and takes about 2h 1m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 4, US 17, US 17 Truck. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 49.3 miles from Winter Springs, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $15.69 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 12 significant decision points across 98.6 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 7.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 95.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Winter Springs, FL to Tampa, FL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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