Explaining the REL to Out-of-Town Friends

Every Tampa Bay local has been there. A visiting friend or relative is riding along when you merge onto the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway, and just as your car begins climbing, they ask:

“Wait… are we going up?”

Yes, you are. Welcome to the Reversible Express Lanes, better known as the REL.

If you’ve ever found yourself trying to explain how it works, here’s a simple guide you can share with first-time riders.

What is the REL?

The Lee Roy Selmon Expressway’s Reversible Express Lanes (REL) are an elevated roadway that connects Southern Hillsborough County, including the Brandon suburbs, to Downtown Tampa and beyond. Running above the local lanes, the REL provides a direct route for commuters while helping balance traffic across the Selmon Expressway. The toll for express travel is the same as the local lanes.

The REL is a dynamic travel, demand-focused roadway system that shifts daily and is the first all-electronic reversible express lanes in the US.

Why does it change direction?

The REL operates based on Tampa Bay’s weekday commuting patterns. As Southern Hillsborough County continues to grow, more commuters are traveling into downtown earlier in the morning, with westbound traffic beginning to increase as early as 3 a.m. on weekdays. To better match this pattern, the REL now opens westbound at 5 a.m., carrying commuters from the Brandon suburbs into downtown Tampa, and remains open in that direction until noon. 

The REL schedule aligns with peak travel demand, maximizes the existing infrastructure, and provides Selmon customers with a reliable and convenient way to travel. 

Does it cost more?

No. The toll cost for express travel on the REL is the same as the local lanes on the lower deck of the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway.

When can you use it?

THEA has updated the REL operating schedule effective July 13, 2026. Before each direction change, the REL undergoes a brief transition period, allowing time to safely clear and flush all vehicles from the facility. This ensures no customers remain in the system before traffic flows in the new direction. As part of this process, the Brandon entrance closes shortly before the westbound-to-eastbound transition each day to allow operations teams to complete the reversal safely and on schedule. 

Weekdays (Monday through Friday)
  • 5:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.: Westbound toward Downtown Tampa
  • 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.: Eastbound toward Brandon
Weekends

The REL operates eastbound toward Brandon all day, with no reversal.

Holidays with Eastbound Service All Day
  • Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
  • Thanksgiving Day and the following Friday
  • New Year’s Day
  • Memorial Day
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day
Holidays Following the Regular Weekday Schedule
  • Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
  • Good Friday
  • Juneteenth
  • Veterans Day

Please note that THEA may adjust operating hours as needed because of traffic conditions, maintenance activities, or special events.

The Bottom Line

The next time someone asks, “Why are we driving on top of the expressway?”, you’ll have the answer. Enjoy the view!