Tampa to St Augustine road trip: Best stops, distance & drive time
The distance from Tampa to St Augustine is 180 miles, with a 3h16m driving time. The best road trip stops on the Tampa to St Augustine drive are Dade Battlefield Historic State Park, Ocala FL and Palatka FL.
Planning a Tampa to St Augustine road trip itinerary
The Tampa to St Augustine drive connects Florida’s west coast to the oldest city in the US.
St Augustine is the oldest continually inhabited city in the United States, and it has largely escaped heavy modernised development. Founded in 1565 by Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León.
In the compact, historic centre, there are several chintzy heritage attractions which are fun but not exactly brimming with centuries of authenticity.
The Spanish-built Castillo de San Marcos on the waterfront does pack that historic power, though. It should be sight number one before mooching around town.
Other St Augustine experiences include hop-on, hop-off trolley passes, sunset cruises and dolphin, manatee and sea turtle-viewing tours.
Excellent St Augustine hotel choices include the Guy Harvey Hotel if you want to be by the beach, and the Casa Monica Resort in the Historic District.
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.
Tampa to St Augustine distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Tampa to St Augustine is 180 miles. You can expect a driving time of around three hours and 16 minutes.
The best stops to add to a Tampa to St Augustine road trip itinerary are Dade Battlefield Historic State Park, Ocala FL and Palatka FL.
Tampa to St Augustine road trip attractions: Dade Battlefield Historic State Park
Dade Battlefield Historic State Park commemorates the 1835 battle that sparked the Second Seminole War. This was the longest and most costly American-Indian war in the country’s history, lasting seven years.
The visitor center has a small museum explaining more about the Florida Seminole Wars, while picnics, hiking and wildlife-spotting are other options within the park.
Best stops between Tampa and St Augustine: Ocala FL
Ocala is home to the Golden Gypsy Horse Farm, where visitors can meet the rare and beautiful Gypsy Vanner horses. The Appleton Museum of Art, meanwhile, mixes contemporary art with pre-Columbian artifacts and the Discovery Center does the interactive science thing.
The most important site in Ocala, however, is the Fort King National Historic Landmark. This was a major military post in the Second Seminole War, and the first inland fort in Florida.
Book ahead for Ocala hotel deals.
Tampa to St Augustine road trip attactions: Palatka FL
Palatka FL is home to the Bronson Mulholland House, a handsome and beautifully-restored antebellum home from the 1850s. It is open for tours.
You’ll also find Ravine Gardens State Park in Palatka. This is based around two steep ravines that were turned into gardens back in the 1930s. There are picnic tables and grills here, plus a 1.8 road winding around the ravines to offer the best views.
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