How far is Panama City Beach, FL from Tampa, FL?
The driving distance from Panama City Beach, FL to Tampa, FL is about 383.4 miles (617.1 km), with a travel time of about 05h 57m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 254.1 miles (408.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 55m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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 05h 57m.
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.
County seat of Suwannee County, Florida, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Panama City Beach and Tampa.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Panama City Beach and Tampa.
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1
Start on the route
18 m · 9 sec
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2
Turn left onto South Thomas Drive
146 m · 17 sec · South Thomas Drive
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3
Turn right onto Front Beach Road
2.7 mi · 5 min · Front Beach Road
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4
Merge slight left
1.9 mi · 3 min
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5
Take the exit slight right
1875 ft · 47 sec
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6
Turn straight onto West 23rd Street
5.3 mi · 9 min · West 23rd Street
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7
At the end of the road, turn left
113 m · 7 sec
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8
Continue straight
1.3 mi · 2 min
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9
Continue straight
21.2 mi · 27 min
-
10
Turn right
28.4 mi · 39 min
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11
Turn left
18.1 mi · 24 min
-
12
Turn right onto Selman Street
3018 ft · 1 min · Selman Street
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13
Continue on Greensboro Highway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Greensboro Highway
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14
Take the ramp slight right toward I 10 East: Tallahassee
2453 ft · 1 min
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15
Merge slight left
121.5 mi · 2 hr 10 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward I-75 South: Tampa
1959 ft · 37 sec
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17
Merge slight left
160.5 mi · 2 hr 52 min
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18
Keep slight right to continue on I 275 South: Tampa, Saint Petersburg
15.9 mi · 19 min
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19
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown East-West
2767 ft · 49 sec
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20
Keep slight right
77 m · 6 sec
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21
Keep slight left to continue on Downtown East, Jefferson Street
856 ft · 23 sec
-
22
Continue on North Orange Avenue
1531 ft · 47 sec · North Orange Avenue
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23
Turn straight onto Pierce Street
1364 ft · 41 sec · Pierce Street
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24
Turn right onto East Kennedy Boulevard
1336 ft · 46 sec · East Kennedy Boulevard
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Kennedy Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Panama City Beach and Tampa.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I-75 South
Merge slight left
161 mi · 02h 52m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Panama City Beach and Mostly Sunny near Tampa.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Panama City Beach to Tampa?
The road trip is about 383.4 miles (617.1 km) and usually takes 05h 57m 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?
Live Oak is a useful midpoint, sitting about 191.3 miles from Panama City Beach and 192.1 miles from Tampa.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 254.1 miles (408.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 129.3 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 CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:04 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $56.12 one way or $112.24 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 120.2 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Panama City Beach and Tampa, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Panama City Beach and Mostly Sunny near Tampa.
Stop Ideas Near Live Oak
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 Live Oak.
Gainesville, Florida
Waldo, Florida
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Panama City Beach and Tampa. Straight-line distance: 254.1 mi (408.94 km).
#1 Panama City Beach
City in the U.
| Population | 12,337 |
| Coordinates | 30.1765900, -85.8054900 |
| Altitude | 3 |
| 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: 617 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 12h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 09h 35m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 40m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 23m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 47m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $56.12 | $112.24 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $62.18 | $124.37 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $66.24 | $132.49 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $58.86 | $117.71 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Florida · Jun 08, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.