How far is Tampa, FL from Lake Sarasota, FL?
The driving distance from Tampa, FL to Lake Sarasota, FL is about 58.7 miles (94.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 07m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 45.3 miles (72.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 14m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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 07m.
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.
Census-designated place in Hillsborough County, Florida
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Tampa and Lake Sarasota.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tampa and Lake Sarasota.
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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
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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
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9
Merge slight left
48.1 mi · 52 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward FL 758: Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota
1584 ft · 39 sec
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11
Keep slight left
122 m · 16 sec
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12
Turn straight onto Bee Ridge Road
2854 ft · 1 min · Bee Ridge Road
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13
Turn right onto Mauna Loa Boulevard
1948 ft · 55 sec · Mauna Loa Boulevard
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14
Turn right onto Samoa Drive
85 m · 18 sec · Samoa Drive
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15
Turn left onto Timor Place
139 m · 20 sec · Timor Place
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Timor Place
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Tampa and Lake Sarasota.
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
Merge slight left
48.1 mi · 00h 52m
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.
Sunny leaving Tampa and Sunny near Lake Sarasota.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Tampa to Lake Sarasota?
The road trip is about 58.7 miles (94.4 km) and usually takes 01h 07m 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?
Ruskin is a useful midpoint, sitting about 29.4 miles from Tampa and 29.3 miles from Lake Sarasota.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 45.3 miles (72.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.4 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 EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:16 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.59 one way or $17.17 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 18.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Tampa and Sunny near Lake Sarasota.
Stop Ideas Near Ruskin
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 Ruskin.
Bradenton, Florida
Union Station
St Petersburg-Pinellas Park-Clearwater, Florida
Sarasota, Florida
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Tampa and Lake Sarasota. Straight-line distance: 45.27 mi (72.86 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 Sarasota
Census-designated place in Sarasota County, Florida
| Population | 4,679 |
| Coordinates | 27.2925500, -82.4376000 |
| Altitude | 9 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lake Sarasota (-82.4376, 27.29255)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 94 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 57m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 10m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 58m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 50m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 43m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $8.59 | $17.17 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $9.51 | $19.03 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $10.13 | $20.27 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $9.00 | $18.01 |
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 · May 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.