How far is Tampa, FL from Winter Haven, FL?
The driving distance from Tampa, FL to Winter Haven, FL is about 49.8 miles (80.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 04m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 44.6 miles (71.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 08m 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 04m.
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.
A city in Hillsborough County, Florida.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Tampa and Winter Haven.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tampa and Winter Haven.
-
1
Start on East Kennedy Boulevard
122 m · 17 sec · East Kennedy Boulevard
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2
Turn right onto North Ashley Drive
1748 ft · 49 sec · North Ashley Drive
-
3
Take the ramp straight toward I 275
1164 ft · 29 sec
-
4
Keep slight right to continue on I 275 North
843 ft · 21 sec
-
5
Merge slight left
1.1 km · 1 min
-
6
Take the exit slight right toward I 4 East: Orlando
2472 ft · 42 sec
-
7
Continue straight
25.8 mi · 29 min
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward FL 570 Toll East: Lakeland, Winter Haven
2270 ft · 55 sec
-
9
Continue on Polk Parkway
12.1 mi · 14 min · Polk Parkway
-
10
Keep slight right to continue on Polk Parkway
61 m · 3 sec · Polk Parkway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward FL 540: Winter Lake Road
129 m · 10 sec
-
12
Keep slight right
32 m · 3 sec
-
13
Keep slight left
1.6 km · 2 min
-
14
Keep slight left to continue on FL 540 East: Winter Haven, Legoland
1877 ft · 48 sec
-
15
Continue on Winter Lake Road
5.4 mi · 7 min · Winter Lake Road
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16
Turn left
2201 ft · 44 sec
-
17
Continue on Recker Highway
1166 ft · 29 sec · Recker Highway
-
18
Turn right onto Avenue O Southwest
1296 ft · 36 sec · Avenue O Southwest
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19
At the end of the road, turn left onto North Lake Shipp Drive
1738 ft · 54 sec · North Lake Shipp Drive
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20
Turn left onto 15th Street Southwest
1895 ft · 52 sec · 15th Street Southwest
-
21
Turn right onto Lake Howard Drive South
1.3 km · 2 min · Lake Howard Drive South
-
22
Turn right onto West Central Avenue
1359 ft · 39 sec · West Central Avenue
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Central Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Tampa and Winter Haven.
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 4 East
Continue straight
25.8 mi · 00h 29m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Tampa and Mostly Sunny near Winter Haven.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Tampa to Winter Haven?
The road trip is about 49.8 miles (80.1 km) and usually takes 01h 04m 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?
Plant City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 24.9 miles from Tampa and 24.9 miles from Winter Haven.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 44.6 miles (71.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.2 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 4:22 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.30 one way or $14.60 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Tampa and Mostly Sunny near Winter Haven.
Stop Ideas Near Plant 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 Plant City.
Lakeland
Lakeland
Union Station
Winter Haven
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Tampa and Winter Haven. Straight-line distance: 44.57 mi (71.73 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 Winter Haven
The most populous city in Polk County, Florida.
| Population | 46,578 |
| Coordinates | 28.0222400, -81.7328600 |
| Altitude | 50 |
| Country | United States |
End: Winter Haven (-81.73286, 28.02224)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 80 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 14m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 49m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 37m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $7.30 | $14.60 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $8.09 | $16.18 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $8.62 | $17.23 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $7.66 | $15.31 |
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 · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.