How far is Taft, FL from Tampa, FL?
The driving distance from Taft, FL to Tampa, FL is about 82.5 miles (132.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 30m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 74.4 miles (119.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 01m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EST.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 30m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
City in Polk County, Florida, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Partly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Taft and Tampa.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Taft and Tampa.
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1
Start on 3rd Street
49 m · 12 sec · 3rd Street
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2
Turn left onto 4th Avenue
107 m · 18 sec · 4th Avenue
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3
Turn right onto 4th Street
1250 ft · 40 sec · 4th Street
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4
Turn left onto South Orange Avenue
2.6 mi · 4 min · South Orange Avenue
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5
Turn right onto West Wetherbee Road
1.9 mi · 5 min · West Wetherbee Road
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6
Turn left onto South Orange Blossom Trail
1.3 km · 1 min · South Orange Blossom Trail
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7
Take the ramp slight right
2630 ft · 1 min
-
8
Merge slight left onto Central Florida GreeneWay
4.3 mi · 5 min · Central Florida GreeneWay
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Southern Connector Extension
8.2 mi · 10 min · Southern Connector Extension
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10
Merge slight left
58.8 mi · 1 hr 4 min
-
11
Take the exit slight left toward FL 618 Toll: Port of Tampa, West Selmon Expressway Toll
1.1 km · 59 sec
-
12
Keep slight right to continue on Downtown, West Selmonm Expressway Toll
1161 ft · 33 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Downtown, West Selmon Expressway Toll
2296 ft · 44 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
1.5 mi · 2 min · Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward FL 60: Kennedy Boulevard, Downtown - East
1212 ft · 31 sec
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16
Turn straight onto East Kennedy Boulevard
1885 ft · 1 min · East Kennedy Boulevard
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Kennedy Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Taft and Tampa.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Southern Connector Extension
Merge slight left
58.8 mi · 01h 04m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Patchy Fog then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Taft 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 Taft to Tampa?
The road trip is about 82.5 miles (132.8 km) and usually takes 01h 30m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Polk City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 40.3 miles from Taft and 42.2 miles from Tampa.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 74.4 miles (119.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.1 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:28 PM EST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.16 one way or $22.33 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Taft and Partly Cloudy near Tampa.
Stop Ideas Near Polk City
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 Polk City.
Lakeland
Lakeland
Winter Haven
Dade City, Florida
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Taft and Tampa. Straight-line distance: 74.45 mi (119.82 km).
#1 Taft
Taft is a place in Florida, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 28.4297300, -81.3650700 |
| Altitude | 29 |
| 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: 133 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 39m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 10m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 01m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.84 | $11.16 | $22.33 |
| Mid-grade | $4.31 | $12.54 | $25.08 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $13.53 | $27.05 |
| Diesel | $5.96 | $17.34 | $34.69 |
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 · Nov 05, 2026