Tampa to Disney World drive: Distance, time & best stops
The best road trip stops on the Tampa to Disney World drive are Dinosaur World, the Bing Rooming House Museum and Lakeland FL. The distance from Tampa to Disney World is 72 miles, with a 1h20m driving time.
Finding the best things to do between Tampa and Disney World
The Tampa to Disney World drive connects the west coast of Florida to the world’s most famous theme park.
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.
Effectively a southern suburb of Orlando, family-friendly Disney World goes its own way. The Old Town Entertainment District, full of restaurants, bars and fairground-esque attractions, is the centerpiece.
To approach Disney World as an ordinary theme park is a mistake. In reality, it is several theme parks in one. Just rock up on the day and work it out as you go along, and you’ll not get the most out of it. Read up and plan in advance – there’s a reason why some people stay for several days. Also remember that it’s as much about the shows and parades as the rides.
Several types of ticket are available. Pick the one that suits your party best.
Tampa to Disney World distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Tampa to Disney World is 72 miles. You can expect a driving time of around one hour and 20 minutes. The quickest route is mostly along the I-4.
The best stops to add to a Tampa to Disney World road trip itinerary are Dinosaur World, the Bing Rooming House Museum and Lakeland FL.
Best stops between Tampa and Disney World: Dinosaur World
Dinosaur World to the west of Plant City is not exactly Jurassic Park. But it does bring hundreds of life-size dinosaur models together in one place. The idea is that you get to see them in a natural setting, walking along the trails and boardwalks. There are also interactive exhibits, a dinosaur-themed playground and a massive gift shop on site.
Tampa to Disney World drive: Bing Rooming House Museum
The Bing Rooming House Museum in Plant City FL is an attempt to preserve African-American heritage from an African-American perspective. It focuses on the segregation era, using artifacts, written documents and oral histories to tell the stories.
During the segregation era, the museum building was a hotel for people of color.
Tampa to Disney World road trip attractions: Lakeland, Florida
Lakeland is a somewhat overlooked Florida City which is, as the name suggests, based around a series of lakes. Of these, Lake Mirror is the most popular, with a promenade and amphitheatre. It also has Hollis Garden, an impressive botanical garden, at the southern end. For something less sculpted, the Circle B Bar Reserve is a former cattle ranch that is now a great place to see alligators.
The city is also home to Florida Southern University, which has the world’s largest concentration of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture.
Good Lakeland hotel choices include the spacious SpringHill Suites and the affordable, pool-equipped Travelodge.
More Tampa road trips
Apollo Beach FL to Tampa | Asheville to Tampa | Atlanta to Tampa | Austin to Tampa | Baltimore to Tampa | Birmingham AL to Tampa | Tampa to Bradenton | Buffalo to Tampa | Charlotte to Tampa | Tampa to Cocoa Beach | Columbia SC to Tampa | Dallas to Tampa | Tampa to Daytona Beach | Tampa to Destin | Gainesville to Tampa | Houston to Tampa | Jacksonville to Tampa | Tampa to Kissimmee | Lakeland to Tampa | Tampa to Melbourne FL | Memphis to Tampa | Tampa to Myrtle Beach.
Nashville to Tampa | Tampa to New Orleans | Ocala to Tampa | Orlando to Tampa | Tampa to Panama City | Tampa to Pensacola | Philadelphia to Tampa | Pittsburgh to Tampa | Port Canaveral to Tampa | Raleigh to Tampa | Ruskin FL to Tampa | Tampa to St Augustine | St Louis to Tampa | Tallahassee to Tampa | Valdosta to Tampa | Washington DC to Tampa | Winter Haven FL to Tampa.
More Disney World road trips
Daytona Beach to Disney World | Fort Lauderdale to Disney World | Jacksonville to Disney World | Miami to Disney World | Port Canaveral to Disney World.