How far is Lake Forest, FL from Tampa, FL?
The driving distance from Lake Forest, FL to Tampa, FL is about 267.9 miles (431.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 01m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 195.4 miles (314.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 03m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EST.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 04h 01m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Census-designated place in Lee County, Florida
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Clear
Partly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lake Forest and Tampa.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Forest and Tampa.
-
1
Start on Southwest 40th Avenue
2486 ft · 1 min · Southwest 40th Avenue
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2
Turn right onto West Hallandale Beach Boulevard
1.1 mi · 3 min · West Hallandale Beach Boulevard
-
3
Turn left onto I 95 North: West Palm Beach
1510 ft · 39 sec
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4
Merge slight left
5.9 mi · 7 min
-
5
Take the exit slight right toward I 595: Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport
1221 ft · 30 sec
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6
Keep slight left to continue on I 595 West
1.4 km · 2 min
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7
Merge slight left onto Port Everglades Expressway
1.7 mi · 2 min · Port Everglades Expressway
-
8
Keep slight right to continue on Port Everglades Expressway
10.1 mi · 12 min · Port Everglades Expressway
-
9
Merge slight left
236 mi · 4 hr 14 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward FL 618 Toll West, Selmon Expressway West: Tampa, Port of Tampa
2.4 mi · 3 min
-
11
Continue on Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
7.8 mi · 9 min · Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward FL 60: Kennedy Boulevard, Downtown - East
1212 ft · 31 sec
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13
Turn straight onto East Kennedy Boulevard
1885 ft · 1 min · East Kennedy Boulevard
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Kennedy Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake Forest and Tampa.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Port Everglades Expressway
Merge slight left
236 mi · 04h 14m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Clear leaving Lake Forest and Partly Cloudy near Tampa.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lake Forest to Tampa?
The road trip is about 267.9 miles (431.2 km) and usually takes 04h 01m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Gateway is a useful midpoint, sitting about 133.8 miles from Lake Forest and 134.2 miles from Tampa.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 195.4 miles (314.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 72.5 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:56 AM EST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.23 one way or $72.46 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 84 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around Lake Forest and Partly Cloudy near Tampa.
Stop Ideas Near Gateway
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Gateway.
Fort Myers, Florida
Port Charlotte, Florida
Sebring
Sarasota, Florida
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lake Forest and Tampa. Straight-line distance: 195.33 mi (314.36 km).
#1 Lake Forest
Lake Forest is a place in Florida, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 25.9775900, -80.1831000 |
| Altitude | 2 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Tampa
The third most populous city in Florida and the center of the Tampa metropolitan area.
| Population | 407,599 |
| Coordinates | 27.9475200, -82.4584300 |
| Altitude | 1 |
| Country | United States |
End: Kennedy Boulevard (-82.458429, 27.947518)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 431 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 55m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 41m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 21m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 27m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 49m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.83 | $36.23 | $72.46 |
| Mid-grade | $4.32 | $40.82 | $81.65 |
| Premium | $4.66 | $44.07 | $88.13 |
| Diesel | $5.94 | $56.14 | $112.28 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
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