Road trip from Tampa to Miami

With its theme parks, beach views, winter sun, and a truly breathtaking national park, the Sunshine State offers ideal conditions for thrilling road experiences. The scenery from Miami to Tampa is ideal for a pleasant journey.

It takes 10 hours to cover the 425 miles from Tampa to Miami, passing Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Lovers Key State Park, Biscayne, and Everglades National Parks, instead via Orlando, Cape Canaveral, Palm Beach, and Walt Disney World Resort.

Stay tuned to learn how to get the most out of this dazzling journey from the Atlantic coast to the Gulf of Mexico. We’ll go over potential itineraries, the greatest stops along the way, our preferred sights and activities, and the best time of year to go on this interesting trip.

How long will the road trip from Tampa to Miami take?

Route	Distance	Driving Time
Gulf Route	425 miles	10 hours
Atlantic Route	590 miles	11 hours 30 min

This road trip from Tampa to Miami can be made in a number of ways. Among our two suggested routes, the Gulf Route is the shorter, taking slightly less than 10 hours to cover 425 miles without any stops.

The Atlantic Route is much longer at 590 miles. Without stopping, this route should take you about eleven and a half hours to drive.

We suggest extending the trip over at least three days as you want to make this rather simple A-to-B drive. You can push the journey into a long weekend, as you have enough time to take in all the sights along the way.

Best route for a road trip between Tampa and Miami

For your road trip from Tampa to Miami, you have a few wonderful choices, but no matter which route you take, Florida is home to many amazing beaches and vibrant cities.

The Gulf Route will take you over two of Florida’s national parks, down the western part of the state, and back up to Miami. Although you continue to go through several fantastic cities along the way, this is the least crowded of our plan options.

If you’re still uncertain about which way to choose, read on for more information about both routes to help you decide. Both routes are full of amazing attractions that will satisfy many of your needs.

Travel routes from Tampa to Miami

The map above shows our top routes for a road trip between Tampa and Miami. For complete descriptions of both routes, lodgings on each, and the finest things to do across routes, keep reading

Gulf Route

After departing Tampa, head west on Interstate 275 (I-275) to Clearwater, where you can enjoy some time at the beach before continuing on the drive.

Continue to St. Petersburg afterwards. After passing Terra Ceia State Preserve and entering Tampa Bay, take in the views of the ocean before continuing south on I-75.

After relaxing your legs at Myakka River State Park, continue driving in the direction of Fort Myers and Cape Coral. After that, head toward Lovers Key State Park on the beach before going home.

Before you reach Naples, you will soon have an opportunity to visit Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. At this point, the path is only a short distance from Lowdermilk Park.

Continue to Sweetwater from Naples. To get the most out of the Everglades from the water, consider taking a boat trip, as you will be crossing them at this point. You will soon reach your destination in Miami, completing your journey to the Everglades.

Atlantic Route

You can travel all the way to Orlando by leaving Tampa and traveling east on I-4. Consider making a stop in Lakeland along the trip. When it’s time to leave Orlando, make your way to Cape Canaveral. There are several options for a beach stop, while the road here goes straight to the coast.

You could also take a short trip into Saint Sebastian River Preserve State Park throughout this section of the route before going south. Keep going across South Beach until you reach the National Navy SEAL Museum.

After that, proceed west until you arrive at Okeechobee. From here, you’ll travel to the ocean and enter West Palm Beach by travelling south on the highway.

Before you complete your road journey, you can make stops in Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale as you travel south on the highway until you reach Miami.

Top places to stop between Tampa and Miami

Florida has many wonderful sights, and if you take a several-night road trip from Tampa to Miami, you’ll have plenty of time to relax and soak in the sunlight.

Each route should include at least one stop; read on for our best recommendations.

Relaxing in Fort Myers

Fort Myers is roughly the halfway point if you’re taking the Gulf Route. From here, you may take a 3.5-hour ferry trip to Key West, another Florida gold, well-known for its beaches, shopping, and fishing.

The water in the Florida Keys truly seems like it matches the Caribbean, which makes it a very popular tourist destination in Florida. You’ll forget you’re in the United States since you’re so far south. It is an essential thing on the US wish list.

This is an amazing area to spend a day or two, whether you’re riding the boat or just want to spend some time enjoying the beach.

Stop by Manatee Park, which offers paved routes, kayak rentals, and close-up views of manatees, also referred to as “sea cows.” These sorts of giants are going to steal your heart.

Go to Edison & Ford Winter Estates for an alternate but no less peaceful experience. Located next to the Caloosahatchee River, this museum and stunning 21-acre botanical garden were once Thomas Edison’s and Henry Ford’s winter home.

If you’ve decided to take a road trip across Florida, let’s be honest and assume that you’re looking for some leisure. The Marriott Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa is an excellent place to stay in Fort Myers.

The beach is a short distance from this hotel, but if you don’t want to walk that far, there may be a spa with a sauna, massages, and a jacuzzi.

Watch the waves approaching Vero 

Vero Beach, renowned for its golf, water sports, and fishing, is located halfway to the Atlantic Route. There are several locations from here where you may enjoy the ocean, but South Beach Park is the main attraction.

Also, there are walking trails and stunning water views in this park.

You can visit the well-known McKee Botanical Gardens if you want to stay in the town for a while. Beautiful plants and animals can be seen in this subtropical botanical garden.

With its full-service spa, the Kimpton Vero Beach Hotel & Spa is not only an excellent place for relaxing, but it’s also environmentally friendly. Every accommodation has a bathtub and a waterfall shower head, a heated outdoor pool, a hot tub, and a sun terrace.

Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge is a 19-minute trip from the hotel, and the Vero Beach Museum of Art is only 3 minutes away if you’re ready to leave the hotel.

Places to stay when traveling from Tampa to Miami

The Betsy Hotel is a fantastic hotel choice in Miami’s luxurious entertainment center on Ocean Drive, which is also a great place to people-watch. It is situated in lovely South Beach.

The hotel offers a stunning courtyard, a rooftop pool with 360-degree views, and direct beach access. If you don’t want to sunbathe, you can do yoga at sunrise.

Overall, a fantastic combination for relaxing before visiting the city.

Attractions to see on a road trip from Tampa to Miami

There is still plenty to see while you are in Florida, even if we imagine you have planned on taking some time to rest and relax.

whatever the path you choose, look at our best options for stops along the way.

Gulf Route

1. Clearwater- This city, which is within the Tampa Bay area, is renowned for its beaches on the Gulf Coast and sunny weather. located on a barrier island, Clearwater Beach is a three-mile stretch of white sand

2. St. Petersburg: This city, located in the Tampa Bay area and on Florida’s Gulf Coast, is known as “Sunshine City” with good cause. The Dali Museum, Museum of Fine Arts, and Mahaffey Theater are located there, and it’s a well-liked spot for swimming, boating, and beachcombing.

3. Mayakka River State Park-This 37,000-acre park offers wildlife viewing, kayaking, and camping in its forests and swamps. It’s ideal to spend some time at the Myakka Canopy Walkway and Observation Tower!

4. Fort Mayers– At Edison & Ford, you can rent boats and contact closely with manatees.Winter Estates and Manatee Park. We strongly advise taking the ferry down to Key West if you have the time.

5. Cape Coral– southern Florida is well-known for its many canals. You may kayak to Matlacha Pass Wetland Preserve, where a range of birds await you among the mangroves, and see manatees at Sirenia Vista Park.

6. Lovers Key State Park– is more than two kilometres of sandy beaches in this 712-acre park divided among four barrier islands. Hiking, kayaking, swimming, and sunbathing are all peaceful in this untouched park.

7. Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary natural wetlands offer sightseeing possibilities, an observation tower, and a well-known 2.25-mile boardwalk pathway.

8. Lowdermilk There are volleyball courts and a beautiful beach at this Naples (not Italy) beach. Here, you may enjoy water sports or relax on the beach and enjoy a good book.

9. Everglades National Park– When someone hears the term “Florida,” what comes to mind first? Gators, that’s true. This is the right place to go if you’ve ever wanted a close-up look at them in their natural context.

This park is a huge swamp, so you won’t be able to see anything by car. You will need to reserve an airboat tour and park at the visitor center.

10. Biscayne National Park– This park is a vast wetland, more than Everglades National Park, so you’ll also need to park at the visitor center and take a boat to explore. It has islands and coral reefs in the northern Florida Keys that is accessible by boat.

Atlantic Route

1. Lakeland-East of Tampa, this community is home to one of the most famous lakes, Lake Mirror, which offers a boardwalk and the Hollis Garden for exploration. The downtown Munn Park Historic District is well-known for its historic stores and buildings from the 1900s.

2.Orlando—There are almost a dozen theme parks in this central Florida city, including Disney World and Universal Studios, one of the numerous well-known theme parks in this area.

3.Cape Canaveral-This is a site for space geeks like you! The Kennedy Space Center is located there, and the US government regularly launches rockets from its launch facility. If you happen to be in town during one of the takeoffs, it’s a pretty awesome sight.

4. St.Sabastian River State Park– Activities like boating and hiking are available in this park by the river. It has wetlands and grassy forests, but don’t try swimming there. You may become a gator mate.

5. The National Navy Seal Museum– The US Navy SEALs are honored at this museum, which is filled with displays, gear, and historical artifacts. You may find out more about the history of the SEALs and their ancestors here.

6. Jetty Park– Beautiful beaches, beach activities, and a long jetty for safe coastal walks can all be found at this seaside park next to the National Navy SEAL Museum.

7.Lake Okeechobee– Fishermen love this huge freshwater lake. It’s excellent for capturing crappies and fish. For those of you who do not like fishing, there is a beautiful 110-mile walking track that surrounds the lake.

8. West Palm Beach– The Lake Worth Lagoon separates Palm Beach from this South Florida city. There are plenty of restaurants, and shops here. 

9.Boca Raton– This city is well-known for its parks, golf courses, and beaches. Red Reef Park, which features the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, is a fantastic beachside destination. The center features a sea turtle sanctuary, a butterfly garden, and walking routes.

10. Forte Lauderdale– This popular location is well-known for its canals and beaches. You can visit one of the many outdoor eateries, and shops, or you may walk into The Strip, which is a walkway along the water.

Best time to drive on a road trip from Tampa to Miami?

Because of its tropical environment, Miami is a wonderful place to go on vacation at any time of year, but certain seasonal variations may help you choose the best time to go.

When you consider that it is January, Miami’s temperatures can be anywhere from the mid-60s to the low 80s Fahrenheit. For the simple reason that Miami’s major attraction is the ocean—is a touch too cool for swimming, this will be the most affordable time to come.

The Miami International Boat Show is a major attraction if you’re visiting in the winter. Everyone is welcome at one of the biggest boat fairs in the world, which takes place every February.

From boats hoping to buy their next superyacht to casual beachgoers hoping to have a pleasant day in the sun.

Miami, on the other hand, may get extremely hot and humid throughout the summer. Rainfall is common, and temperatures can rise into the high 90s. The water is at its ideal temperature, and the waves are pleasant, making this the ideal time of year to enjoy it.

Because Miami is such a popular summer destination, this will also be the most expensive season to visit.

Another well-liked location for spring breakers is Miami. Avoid Miami at all costs in March if you’re not a Spring Breaker yourself! There will be a lot of parties in the city, which naturally implies there will be a lot of noise, and the cost will be significantly higher.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Miami from Tampa by road?

The driving distance from Tampa to Miami is about 280 to 300 miles, and the trip usually takes 4 to 5 hours by road.

Is Tampa close to California?

No, Tampa is not close to California. The distance from Tampa to California is approximately 2,200 to 2,500 miles depending on the destination in California.

Is it cheaper to live in Tampa or Miami?

Tampa is generally cheaper to live in than Miami. Housing, utilities, and overall cost of living are typically lower in Tampa.

What is the best time to visit Miami from Tampa?

The best time to visit Miami from Tampa is during the winter months (December to April), when the weather is warm and pleasant. Avoiding summer and hurricane season is recommended due to high humidity and storms.

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