From Tampa to Orlando for out of state visitors (Lakeland: hotels, home)

[ejp823]

If we relocate to Tampa from Ny our family staying behind want to know if they visit for a week and decide to spend the day in Orlando at Disney and the evenings visiting us in Tampa what kind of drive time should they plan? We have never been to Disney or even Florida for that matter so we are not able to give them the information they ask for.

[Wilshire81182]

The drive is about 90 minutes. Just avoid rush hour and I-4 is a major corridor from Daytona to Tampa.

[TheCaptain]

Plan on a 2 hour drive, give or take depending on traffic. Try not to plan the trip during rush hours: 7am-9am and 4pm-6pm, and you can shave as much as 30 minutes off your time.

I was late in starting the last time I went to Disney, and hit the morning rush on I-275 while trying to get out of Tampa. I think I made it to Disney just under two hours.

[tampaguy03]

I've made it to Disney in 70 minutes, and i've made it to Disney in a little over 2 hours from my south tampa home.

[TampaKaren]

As others mentioned, the distance and time will vary. From east Tampa you can drive to Disney in 30 minutes. From west Tampa, expect closer to an hour. Of course, these times will increase/decrease due to the time of day (avoid peak commuter hours if possible). You could also do an internet map search using MapQuest: Maps, Directions, Gas Prices & Business Directory, or Google Maps and type in each city, e.g., start: Kissimmee, FL and end: Tampa, FL. Of course, if you have street addresses, it will be more accurate. It's not perfect, but it will at least give you a general idea.

[Jesslyn848]

it depends what area you are speaking of. In East Tampa/Brandon, you can be at Disney in less than an hour. South Tampa or elsewhere would be a bit longer. However in my experience with Disney (I go all the time) I never feel like driving home after spending the day at the park, I'm just too tired.

[gypsychic]

We live in Lakeland, and it is close to a half hour from HERE, so there is no way it is only a half hour from Tampa, Tampa is 35 miles away, another 40 minute drive or so. It really does depend on where you are coming from, but the bare MINIMUM from Tampa would be an hour, assuming non-rush hour times.

[TheCaptain]

Originally Posted by Jesslyn848

...in my experience with Disney (I go all the time) I never feel like driving home after spending the day at the park, I'm just too tired.

I know many Tampa people who actually stay in Orlando hotels for a night or two. It sounds strange when you only live a couple hours away, but it really is a very exhausting day. There are specials running all the time, and it's not uncommon for Tampa residents to plan a weekend there. Another option, and not so ridiculous when you consider you may be getting into a car and driving home tired, exhausted, and more likely to get into an accident.

(Although if you have kids, you're guaranteed no distractions from them on the way home - they'll all be asleep. )

[TampaKaren]

Realistically, you're right. However, we once drove from Disney's Fort Wilderness to Lazy Days (I-4 at Exit 10) to pickup an RV part and we made it in 30 minutes before they closed. Of course, we were motivated.

Originally Posted by gypsychic

We live in Lakeland, and it is close to a half hour from HERE, so there is no way it is only a half hour from Tampa, Tampa is 35 miles away, another 40 minute drive or so. It really does depend on where you are coming from, but the bare MINIMUM from Tampa would be an hour, assuming non-rush hour times.