Commute

What is a SunPass and do I need one?

Answered by Stephanie C.

SunPass is Florida's electronic toll transponder — a small device that sticks to your windshield and automatically pays tolls. You absolutely need one in the Tampa Bay area. The Selmon Expressway, Veterans Expressway, and most Florida toll roads are SunPass-only (no cash). You can buy one at Publix, Walgreens, CVS, or online for about $5-$15. Load it with cash or link a card. Not having one means toll-by-plate at a higher rate with fines if you miss payments.

Barrett Henry

Broker Associate, REALTOR® | REMAX Collective

With over 23 years of real estate experience, Barrett helps buyers and sellers across Valrico and the Tampa Bay area. Straight talk. Smart strategy.

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Related Questions

How far is Valrico from Tampa?

Valrico is about 18-22 miles east of downtown Tampa, depending on which part of Valrico you're in. In normal traffic, the drive takes 25-35 minutes via I-75 or the Selmon Expressway. During rush hour (7-9am and 4-6:30pm), expect 40-55 minutes. Many Valrico residents commute to Tampa daily and say the trade-off is worth it for the lower cost of living and better schools.

How long does it take to get to Tampa airport from Valrico?

Tampa International Airport (TPA) is about 25-30 miles from Valrico. In light traffic, the drive takes 30-40 minutes. During rush hour, allow 50-60 minutes. Take I-75 North to the Veterans Expressway, or cut through Tampa via the Selmon. For early morning flights, traffic is usually light and you can make it in under 35 minutes.

How bad is traffic in Valrico?

Day-to-day traffic within Valrico is manageable. SR-60 (Brandon Blvd) is the main corridor and gets congested during rush hour, especially between Valrico Rd and I-75. Bloomingdale Ave and Lithia Pinecrest Rd see moderate traffic during school drop-off and pickup. The real bottleneck is the I-75 interchange — getting onto I-75 North during morning rush can add 15-20 minutes. Most locals learn the backroads.

What's the commute from Valrico to MacDill Air Force Base?

MacDill AFB is about 22 miles from Valrico. In normal traffic, the drive is 30-40 minutes via the Selmon Expressway or Causeway Blvd to Dale Mabry. During rush hour, plan for 45-60 minutes. A lot of military families choose Valrico for the schools and housing prices — it's one of the most popular off-base areas for MacDill personnel.

Is there public transportation in Valrico?

Minimal. HART (Hillsborough Area Regional Transit) runs a couple of bus routes along SR-60 into Brandon and Tampa, but service is infrequent and not practical for daily commuting. There's no rail or light rail in the area. Ride-share (Uber/Lyft) is available but can have longer wait times than in Tampa proper. Valrico is a drive-everywhere suburb — plan accordingly.

How far is Valrico from Orlando and the theme parks?

Valrico to the Orlando theme parks (Disney World, Universal Studios) is about 65-75 miles, roughly a 1 hour 15 minute drive via I-4 East. With traffic (especially Friday afternoons and holiday weekends), it can take 2+ hours. Many Valrico families do Disney day trips or buy annual passes since it's close enough to go regularly but far enough that you don't deal with tourist traffic daily.

What's the Selmon Expressway and should I use it?

The Selmon Expressway is a tolled highway that runs from Brandon/Valrico into downtown Tampa and connects to the Gandy Bridge. It's the fastest way to get from Valrico to downtown Tampa, South Tampa, and MacDill AFB during rush hour — it bypasses most of the I-75 congestion. Tolls run about $2-$4 each way with a SunPass. Most Valrico commuters consider it well worth the toll. Get a SunPass transponder immediately after moving here.

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