How far is Tampa, FL from Lake Forest, FL?
The driving distance from Tampa, FL to Lake Forest, FL is about 267.1 miles (429.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 53m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 195.4 miles (314.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 47m 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 53m.
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
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Tampa and Lake Forest.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tampa and Lake Forest.
-
1
Start on East Kennedy Boulevard
36 m · 11 sec · East Kennedy Boulevard
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2
Turn left onto North Tampa Street
90 m · 13 sec · North Tampa Street
-
3
Turn left onto East Jackson Street
2823 ft · 2 min · East Jackson Street
-
4
Keep slight left to continue on East Jackson Street
21 m · 4 sec · East Jackson Street
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5
Turn left onto North Nebraska Avenue
123 m · 10 sec · North Nebraska Avenue
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6
Take the ramp slight right toward FL 618 Toll East: Brandon
853 ft · 21 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
7.8 mi · 9 min · Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 75 South: Naples
2585 ft · 34 sec
-
9
Merge slight left
55.8 mi · 1 hr
-
10
Keep slight left
181.3 mi · 3 hr 14 min
-
11
Keep slight right to continue on Port Everglades Expressway
12.4 mi · 14 min · Port Everglades Expressway
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward I 95 South: Miami
1.3 km · 2 min
-
13
Keep slight left to continue on I 95 South: Miami
926 ft · 23 sec
-
14
Merge slight left
5.6 mi · 6 min
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward SR 858: Hallandale Beach Boulevard
2072 ft · 54 sec
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16
Turn right onto West Hallandale Beach Boulevard
1.1 mi · 2 min · West Hallandale Beach Boulevard
-
17
Turn left onto Southwest 40th Avenue
2526 ft · 1 min · Southwest 40th Avenue
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Southwest 40th Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Tampa and Lake Forest.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 75 South
Keep slight left
181 mi · 03h 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.
Partly Cloudy leaving Tampa and Mostly Clear near Lake Forest.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Tampa to Lake Forest?
The road trip is about 267.1 miles (429.8 km) and usually takes 04h 53m 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 133.6 miles from Tampa and 133.5 miles from Lake Forest.
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 71.7 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 7:12 AM EST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.12 one way or $72.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 83.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Cloudy around Tampa and Mostly Clear near Lake Forest.
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 Tampa and Lake Forest. Straight-line distance: 195.33 mi (314.36 km).
#1 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 |
#2 Lake Forest
Lake Forest is a place in Florida, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 25.9775900, -80.1831000 |
| Altitude | 2 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lake Forest (-80.1831, 25.97759)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 430 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 27m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 48m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 19m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.83 | $36.12 | $72.23 |
| Mid-grade | $4.32 | $40.69 | $81.39 |
| Premium | $4.66 | $43.93 | $87.85 |
| Diesel | $5.94 | $55.96 | $111.93 |
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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