How Long Does It Take To Drive From Tampa To Fort Myers Florida?
By Preeta Rajkarnikar | 19 May 2023 02:30 AM

It takes 2 hours to drive from Tampa to Fort Myers through the Interstate 75 South route. I-75 S is the fastest and the most used path for the destination.
Tampa and Fort Myers are the two cities located in Florida. There are several routes that connect the two cities and most of the only take two hours.
While driving between the two cities you can visit and explore several attractions and nearby cities on the way. Beautiful views and adventures will help to make your trip memorable.
Cities between Tampa and Fort Myers include Clearwater, Sarasota, Punta Gorda, St. Peterburg, Cape Coral, Bradenton, and Englewood.
While traveling the first thing that comes to our mind is the distance between the two destinations. We tend to look for the shortest distance.
So, how many miles from Fort Myers to Tampa? Well, the shortest route has a distance of 132 miles. But there are other routes too. Find more below.
You May Also Like: Scenic Drive From San Fransico To LA
How Long Does It Take To Drive From Tampa To Fort Myers?
Drive time from Tampa to Fort Myers is 2 hours. Interstate-75 South is the fastest route between the two cities.
If you are planning a short road trip from Tampa and Fort Myers with your friends and family then there are two best routes to reach your destination. Meet with your friends halfway or make a stop for recreation.
If you are wondering what is halfway between Tampa and Fort Myers then the answer is Sarasota city. Sarasota is known to be the most popular city in the route.
Interstate-75 South Route
I-75 runs from the Hialeah–Miami Lakes border to Sault Ste. Marie. The speed limit on the Interstate is 70 mph.
It takes two hours to cover 134 miles journey between Tampa and Fort Myers. If you travel via I-75 S, FL-70 E/SE Hwy 70, and FL-31 S it will take 2 hours 21 minutes (135 miles) for you to reach your destination.
The route FL-62 E and I-75 S take 2 hours 31 minutes (144 miles) drive to reach Fort Meyrs.
If you drive non-stop, you will be able to reach Fort Myers in 1 hour and 57 minutes. But many people prefer to take little breaks and drive enjoying the beautiful views.
Interstate-275 Route
The I-275 route is considered the best route if you want to experience scenic beauty as you drive between the two cities.
Head south from Tampa and start your journey from the I-275 route for about 21 miles to exit 23A and get on I-375E. Travel for about one mile then take The Pier exit to St. Peterburg.
Head further south while soaking in the beauty of St. Peterburg take I-175W for a mile you will merge onto I-275S toward Bradenton. As you drive 16.5 miles, take Exit 5 to enter the US19 South toward Palmetto.
After three miles of driving, you'll reach Highway 41. Driving 4.2 miles and continuing the travel on US301S for 11 miles you'll reach Sarasota city. Then head south again and take Interstate-75 and commute for 75 miles.
You'll reach Fort Myers as you take Exit 141.
Places To Visit Along The Route
Scenic drive from Tampa to Fort Meyers has numerous places to explore such as Sunshine Skyway, Sand Key Park, and Myakka River State Park Youth Camp.
I-275 and I-75 routes both have wonderful and amazing places equally for a little detour. The Sunshine Skyway is considered to have the most scenic view as you drive between the two cities.
Here is the list of places you can visit during your travel from Tampa to Fort Myers.
- Pier 60
- Clearwater Marine Aquarium
- Big Cat Rescue
- Zoo Tampa at Lowry Park
- Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa
- The Florida Aquarium
- City Pier Grill and Bait
- Ellenton Premium Outlets
- The John and Mable Ringling Musem Art
- Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
- Hunsader Farm
- St. Armands Cir
- Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Downtown Sarasota campus
- Myakka Canopy Walkway and Observation Tower
- Myakka River State Park Youth Camp
- The Dali Museum
Scenic Drive From Tampa To Fort Myers With Beaches In Between
Best beaches between Tampa and Fort Myers include Siesta Key, Lido Key, and Anna Maria Island.
The beaches located in Tampa and Fort Myers are the best to experience the calm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The white sand and the beach's blue water might help you relax during the 2 hours drive.
Here's a list of the top beaches in Tampa and Fort Myers.
Tampa
- Ben T. Davis Beach
- Fred Howard Park
- Indian Rocks Beach
- Sand Key Park
- Honeymoon Island State Park
- Treasure Island
- Caladesi Island State Park
- St. Pete Beach
- Fort De Soto Park
- Clearwater Beach
Fort Meyers
- Fort Myers Beach
- Captiva Beach
- Cayo Costa State Park
- Bowman's Beach
- Lighthouse Beach Park
- Crescent Beach Family Park
- Barefoot Beach Preserve
- Matanzas Pass Preserve
- Bunche Beach
- Lynn Hall Memorial Park and the Pier
- Lani Kai Beach Area
- Newton Park
RV For Hire In Fort Myers
Booking an RV rental Fort Myers Florida is the best way to explore the natural preserves of the city.
Traveling around the city in an RV will be one of the memorable moments of your vacation. The city has several campsites in its area that are RV-friendly. The area also features family campgrounds, luxury RV resorts, and more.
According to Outdoorsy, the average price of RV rentals cost $75-$150 per night for most campervans and small trailers. Motorhomes and larger trailers cost around $100-$250 per night.
Renting an RV for a long time like for a week or a month is affordable as it would cost around $60 per day on average.
You can book the vehicle from companies such as Crusie America RV Rental, Adventure RV, and Cypress Woods RV Resort.
Also Read: Drive Time From Bozeman To Yellowstone National Park