Fort Myers to Tampa drive: Best stops, distance & time
The best road trip stops on the Fort Myers to Tampa drive are Siesta Key, Sarasota and Bradenton. The distance from Fort Myers to Tampa by car is 126 miles, with a 2h7m driving time.
Planning a Fort Myers to Tampa road trip itinerary
The Fort Myers to Tampa drive heads up the west coast of Florida, offering several fascinating stops along the route.
There’s a massive collection of Fort Myers experiences to choose from. Top picks include paddleboarding with dolphins and manatees, sunset sailing cruises and haunted history walks.
For a night out the buzzy bars and restaurants of the River District are full of energy, while the Georgian Revival-style Burroughs Home and Gardens does the grand mansion thing.
The cultural highlights, however, are the Winter Estates of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. Along with lavish gardens, these mansions are full of stories about legendary inventors going on wild adventures.
Great Fort Myers hotel options include the brilliantly-located Luminary Hotel and Margaritaville Beach Resort.
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.
Fort Myers to Tampa distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Fort Myers to Tampa is 126 miles. That makes for a driving time of around two hours and seven minutes. The quickest route is largely up the I-75.
The best stops to add to a Fort Myers to Tampa road trip itinerary are Siesta Key, Sarasota and Bradenton.
For more suggestions, read the guides to the Fort Myers to Sarasota drive and Sarasota to Tampa drive.
Fort Myers to Tampa road trip attractions: Siesta Key
Siesta Key is a barrier island, renowned for having some of the most spectacular beaches in Florida. There are plenty of restaurants and shops here, but a visit is likely to be all about the white sand and turquoise waters.
Great Siesta Key activities include sunset e-bike tours, kayak tours and having a go on an e-foil.
If planning to stay, book Siesta Key accommodation well in advance – the whole island can often be sold out.
Best stops between Fort Myers and Tampa: Sarasota
Sarasota is home to the Ringling Museum of Art – arguably the top art museum in Florida, with a good mix of modern and old masters. The estate is also home to a Circus Museum.
More Sarasota attractions, including the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, are linked together on the City Sightseeing trolley tour.
Other potential Sarasota experiences include a downtown food tour, jet ski adventures and kayaking through the mangrove tunnels.
Top Sarasota accommodation options with a pool include the Carlisle Inn and the Lido Beach Resort.
Fort Myers to Tampa drive: Bradenton
Bradenton lies at the southern end of Tampa Bay, stretching along the Manatee River to a series of beachy barrier islands.
The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature is the top cultural attraction, but Bradenton is best experienced outdoors. The 1.5 mile Riverwalk along the Manatee River is a good place to start.
Elsewhere you can go kayaking with clear-bottomed kayaks in the Robinson Preserve and parasailing over Anna Maria Island.
Other fun Bradenton experiences include the TreeUmph Adventure Course and pirate-themed tasting sessions at the Loaded Cannon Distillery.
Good Bradenton accommodation choices include the Silver Surf Beach Resort at Bradenton Beach and the SpringHill Suites on the Riverwalk.
More Fort Myers road trips
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More Tampa road trips
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