Asheville to Tampa road trip: Distance, time & best stops
The best road trip stops on the Asheville to Tampa drive are Columbia SC, Savannah and Jacksonville. The distance from Asheville to Tampa by car is 639 miles, with a driving time of around nine hours and 39 minutes.
Planning an Asheville to Tampa road trip itinerary
The Asheville to Tampa drive takes you from the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina to Florida’s west coast.
In the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville NC is one of the main gateways to the Blue Ridge Parkway. This is one of America’s best road trip routes.
But there’s more to Asheville than the mountains. It’s a buzzy city of arty shops, restaurants, breweries and live music venues. The River Arts District is particularly strong on the studios and galleries front. The lavish Biltmore Estate, meanwhile, is the country’s biggest privately-owned home.
Top Asheville experiences include after dark ghost walks, Blue Ridge Parkway hiking tours and Jeep adventures, plus Segway tours and scenic helicopter rides.
You can also do guided e-bike tours either downtown or in the mountains, then take a guided visit to several craft breweries.
Tampa is justifiably one of the most popular holiday destinations in Florida. It’s home to top attractions such as the Florida Aquarium, ZooTampa, the Adventure Island water park and Busch Gardens theme park.
Other great Tampa experiences include historic Ybor City food walking tours, seeing the highlights in a street legal golf cart and a Haunted Tampa tour that combines ghosts and pubs.
Also on offer are Segway tours, history cruises, dolphin-watching and celebrity homes tours.
Tampa accommodation is best booked in advance – look for deals here.
Asheville to Tampa distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Asheville to Tampa is 639 miles. That makes for a driving time of around nine hours and 39 minutes. The quickest route is via the I-26, I-95, US-301 and I-75.
The best stops to add to an Asheville to Tampa road trip itinerary are Columbia SC, Savannah and Jacksonville.
For more suggestions, read the guides to the Asheville to Columbia drive and Savannah to Jacksonville drive.
Asheville to Tampa road trip attractions: Columbia SC
Columbia is the capital city of South Carolina. Top attractions include the South Carolina State Museum, which looks at the rich history of the state. It does so in a surprisingly fun way, with a digital planetarium and 4D theater.
But the city’s real appeal is in the numerous parks along the Broad River. These include the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden.
For well-rated Columbia accommodation options, try the academia-themed Graduate and the characterful Hotel Trundle.
Asheville to Tampa drive: Savannah GA
Savannah has a timewarp handsomeness about it. Parks are lined by mossy oak trees, 19th century buildings ooze history and riverboats glide along the rivers.
Great activities in Savannah include the Ghosts and Gravestones trolley tour, riverboat cruises and a true crime pub crawl.
Best stops between Asheville and Tampa: Jacksonville FL
Top Jacksonville experiences include Amelia Island kayak tours, guided art and architecture tours by electric bike and electric skateboard rides along Fernandina Beach.
For cultural attractions, head to the Cummer Museum, where the strength tends to be the rotating temporary exhibitions.
More Asheville NC road trips
Augusta GA to Asheville NC | Asheville to Charleston | Charlotte to Asheville | Chicago to Asheville | Columbia SC to Asheville | Durham NC to Asheville | Asheville to Gatlinburg | Greensboro to Asheville | Greenville SC to Asheville | Asheville to Myrtle Beach | Asheville to Orlando | Asheville to Pigeon Forge | Raleigh NC to Asheville | Richmond VA to Asheville NC | Roanoke to Asheville | Asheville to Sevierville | Washington DC to Asheville | Asheville to Wilmington NC | Winston-Salem to Asheville.
More Tampa road trips
Atlanta to Tampa | Austin to Tampa | Baltimore to Tampa | Buffalo to Tampa | Dallas to Tampa | Tampa to Daytona Beach | Tampa to Destin | Gainesville to Tampa | Houston to Tampa | Jacksonville to Tampa | Lakeland to Tampa | Memphis to Tampa | Nashville to Tampa | Ocala to Tampa | Orlando to Tampa | Philadelphia to Tampa | Pittsburgh to Tampa | Tampa to St Augustine | St Louis to Tampa | Tallahassee to Tampa | Valdosta to Tampa | Washington DC to Tampa.