Tampa To Naples: Best Routes & Stops To Make!

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Are you looking for the best way to get from Tampa to Naples, Florida? If so, you’ve come to the right place!

I love traveling in the Sunshine State, whether exploring the barrier islands on the Gulf of Mexico, exploring eclectic downtowns, or finding the top stops for a Florida road trip.

In this post, we cover all the ways to get to Naples from Tampa so you can choose the method that best suits your travel plans.

Whether you’re looking for direct flights, bus trip recommendations, or a road trip travel experience, we share all the information you need to cover the miles.

Let’s start with the total distance and time between these two cities.

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Tampa To Naples: Distance And Time

If you plan to drive, the fastest route between Tampa and Naples covers 165 miles and takes approximately 2.5 hours.

The total travel time can increase to 3 hours and 10 minutes and cover 177 miles depending on the route.

The shortest distance between Tampa and Naples is approximately 130 miles.

Although we don’t discuss traveling by boat in this post, sailing from a boat ramp in Tampa to Naples could be a lot of fun.

Stopping at neat destinations such as Siesta Key, North Port, Punta Gorda, and Fort Myers Beach would be easy.

Best Routes From Tampa To Naples

Driving is the cheapest way to travel from Tampa to Naples.

Of course, how much you spend will depend on how many gallons of gas you’ll need for your trip.

Not only that, driving also gives you the chance to make fun stops along the way. I’ll share some of my favorites a little later in this post.

First, let’s look at how much a road trip will cost, then the two most direct routes between Tampa and Naples for the fastest trip.

Cost Of Driving

I used a gas calculator and the current average USA gas price to come up with an estimated cost of gas for the trip.

If the average car has a fuel efficiency of 31 mpg and the estimated cost of gas in Florida is $3.21 per gallon of regular gas, you’ll spend approximately $17 one-way.

Of course, how much you spend will depend on the fuel efficiency of your car and current gas prices.

Rome2Rio calculates the cost of driving at between $30 and $45.

Tampa To Naples Via I-75 S (Toll Road)

If you don’t mind paying tolls, going via I-75 South could be a good idea.

This route takes about 2 hours and 33 minutes and covers 166 miles of road distance (332 miles, including the return trip).

Start off by getting on the FL-618 Toll E/Selmon Expressway, then follow I-75 South to County Road 886/Golden Gate Parkway in Collier County. Take exit 105 from I-75 S.

Next, follow County Road 886/Golden Gate Parkway and Goodlette-Frank Road to 9th Street South/Tamiami Trail in Naples.

Tampa To Naples Via 1-75 (Without Tolls)

If you want to save some money, you can also avoid the toll roads without a massive increase in trip time.

This route takes about 2 hours and 35 minutes and covers 172 miles (344 roundtrip).

To start, get on Interstate 275 North. Next, take I-75 South until you reach Road 886/Golden Gate Parkway in Collier County. Take exit 105 from I-75 S.

Continue on County Road 886/Golden Gate Parkway and Goodlette-Frank Road until you reach 9th Street South/Tamiami Trail in Naples.

Are There Any Tolls From Tampa To Naples?

Yes, there are toll roads between Tampa and Naples.

The three you’re most likely to encounter are FL-618 Toll E/Selmon Expy, US-301/I-75/Falkenburg Rd, and FL-570 E.

Note that parts of the Selmon Expressway are closed Mon–Fri 4:00 AM – 1:00 PM.

If you prefer not to pay tolls, you can avoid them by choosing a non-toll-road route.

Are you wondering how much the tolls cost, or are looking for the lowest prices? Check out the Selmon Expressway Toll Calculator.

Is There A Shuttle That Takes People From Tampa To Naples?

There are no shuttles between Tampa and Naples. And while it may be possible to hire taxi services, opting for a bus ride could be the way to go.

A couple of different bus companies travel from Tampa to Naples daily, including Greyhound and Red Coach.

Red Coach has luxury buses, while Greyhound has some cheap buses such as Flixbuses.

On Red Coach, the fastest bus route takes 2 hours and 50 minutes and costs $25 one-way.

Greyhound offers the cheapest bus tickets starting at $18 one way, but the bus journey takes 3.5 hours and stops at the bus station in Fort Myers.

Bus travel can be fun, whether you opt to sleep, talk to your fellow travelers, or enjoy the scenery.

Is Flying From Tampa To Naples An Option?

Yes–if you’re interested in traveling as the crow flies, it’s possible to get a flight from Tampa International Airport (TPA) to Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW).

RSW is the main airport serving Naples flights. Unfortunately, it can be tough to find a direct connection.

Many have connecting flight layovers to places like New York, Houston, Detroit, and Chicago.

This ups the travel time to 7 hours or longer.

However, if you fancy a side trip to Detroit or the Big Apple, flying could be worth it. Use a travel search engine to find the best ticket prices.

When I searched, Spirit Airlines offered the best fares—Spirit’s cheap flights cost as little as $123.

Jetblue, United Airlines, and American Airlines offered flights to Tampa Airport for $340 to over $600.

Fun Stops To Make On A Trip From Tampa To Naples

If you plan to drive from Tampa to Naples and are looking for stops to make along the way, this section is for you.

Hit them all, choose one to break up the middle of your trip, or check out the spots near Naples for the best time in that city.

Downtown Tampa

Downtown Tampa offers many wonderful activities. 

Hire an e-boat and float down the river enjoying the nightly spectacle of lights which turns nine of Tampa’s bridges and its main skyscrapers into a gorgeous colorful display.

Catch a live show at the Tampa theater, stand-up paddleboard on the Hillsborough River, stroll down the Tampa Riverwalk, or rest your feet on a TECO streetcar.

If you’re looking for something extra special, consider booking a dinner cruise on a Starship Yacht.

Desoto Park

Desoto Park on Corrine Street in Tampa is a great place to enjoy the natural beauty and gorgeous views of the city and meander the paths.

The park is quiet and has a waterpark, soccer field, basketball court, playground, and skateboard area.

It’s a perfect spot to have a picnic lunch, a rousing game with friends or family, or some chill time with your journal and the views.

You can even fish off the pier.

Cypress Creek Golf Club

If you fancy some time on the green, why not stop at Cypress Creek Golf Club?

This family-run club is in Ruskin, only 25 miles from Tampa and just off I-75.

Enjoy an 18-hole golf course, take a lesson, and/or fuel up on delicious flaky fish in the restaurant.

The greens are long, with plenty of challenging water elements and nice fairways.

The golf carts come equipped with a GPS, and the clubhouses are great and not crowded.

Gamble Plantation Historic State Park

Ready for a stretch break and a bit of history? Gamble Plantation Historic State Park in Ellenton is the only surviving sugar plantation home in South Florida.

The grounds are lush and beautiful, with plenty of space to walk around and enjoy a picnic.

Enjoy a relaxing moment on the porch swings, or pay for a guided tour through the Antebellum mansion.

Paid tours are offered six times a day, Thursday through Monday.

The park is approximately 40 minutes from Tampa.

Linger Lodge Restaurant

By now you’ve been driving for about an hour, so it might be time to fill your belly with delicious grub.

One of the best places to do that is at Bradenton’s Linger Lodge Restaurant, a waterfront eatery offering great southern-style seafood in an eccentric ambiance.

It may be off the beaten path, but the mouth-watering food and whimsical menu make it well worth seeking out.

Alligator chowder, frog legs, and popcorn shrimp are only a few of the tasty options.

Big Top Brewing

Frog legs aren’t for everyone, or maybe you’re craving a frosty glass of beer. If that sounds about right, Big Top Brewing is waiting.

Big Top is Sarasota’s first craft brewery, and it was created to compliment the city’s historic links to The Ringling Circus, amazing architecture, and performing arts.

It’s the perfect place to enjoy live music or simply kick back with a cold beer and a slice of Origin pizza in the company of the resident rooster.

Lovers Key Beach

Two miles of luscious white sand, tranquil clear waters, and graceful palm trees await at Lovers Key State Park.

It’s a fabulous place to spend a beach day.

Set up a towel and umbrella on the sands or launch a kayak and explore the serenity of the lagoons and canals.

If you’re lucky, you may spot manatees and shorebirds grazing in these quiet byways. Tortoises, osprey, and dolphins make the area home.

Lovers Key Beach is only 37 minutes from Naples.

Naples Zoo

The Naples Zoo is a small but beautiful zoo perfect for a family outing.

One of the special activities available here is the boat tours that go through islands of lemurs and monkeys.

There are also animal shows and gator feedings.

Keep in mind that the boat tours only operate if there are no signs of lightning.

Also, the zoo is best enjoyed on cool days when the animals will be less inclined to hide from the heat.

Lowdermilk Park

Now that you’ve made it to Naples, why not spend some time on the beach?

Lowdermilk Park is a lovely spot to enjoy the sand and sunshine. Plus, the amenities are great.

Visitors to Lowdermilk can make use of the volleyball courts, gazebo, outdoor showers, and snack stand selling burgers, hot dogs, and drinks.

There’s no need to pack beach chairs as you can rent them here.

Note that the parking lot can get quite full on weekends.

Naples Pier

Although the Naples Pier has been closed since it was damaged by Hurricane Ian, it is still a beautiful and scenic spot to visit.

Snapping pictures of the pier slicing over the water and into the sunset is a wonderful activity–and will make a great addition to your next photobook.

The beach and surroundings are beautiful, whether you want to swim, watch the sun go down, or build sand castles.

Tampa To Naples FAQs

Is Naples More Expensive Than Tampa?

Yes–according to Budget Your Trip, a trip to Naples costs an average of $221 dollars per person per day as opposed to $171 in Tampa.

This price includes food, transportation, entertainment, and accommodation. 

Which Is Nicer Naples Or Bonita Springs?

Both Naples and Bonita Springs are great destinations.

However, Bonita Springs may be better for a laid-back experience with lots of outdoor opportunities.

Naples has plenty of entertainment, a vibrant art scene, and upscale shops and restaurants.

How To Get From Naples To Tampa?

The best way to get from Naples to Tampa is to drive your own vehicle.

If you don’t have transportation, you can also get a bus ticket from Greyhound or Red Coach.

Where Do You Stop Between Naples And Tampa?

Lovers Key Beach, Big Top Brewing Company in Sarasota, Linger Lodge Restaurant in Bradenton, Gamble Plantation Historic State Park in Ellenton, and the Cypress Creek Golf Club are all excellent places to stop between Naples and Tampa.

Tampa To Naples Conclusion

If you’re traveling from Tampa to Naples, the most practical and affordable way to get there is by car or bus.

Although flights are available, few of them are direct and bump the trip time from 2.5 hours to over 7.

Driving and traveling by bus are comparable in terms of cost, though driving will be a bit faster and give you the chance to stop at fun places along the way.