Explaining the REL to Out-of-Town Friends

Every Tampa Bay local has been there. A visiting friend or relative is in the back seat as you drive downtown, and somewhere around the split you hear it:

“Wait… are we going up?”

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

If you’ve ever struggled to explain it to someone new to the area, here’s a quick guide to keep on hand.

What exactly is the REL?

The REL is an elevated express lane connecting the Brandon/Riverview/Southern Hillsborough County area and Downtown Tampa, running directly above the local lanes of the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway. It’s a first-of-its-kind facility, the first roadway in the country to combine concrete segmental bridge construction, reversible express lanes, and all-electronic tolling in a single project. It was also the first transportation project in Florida to go completely cashless.

Why does it change direction throughout the day?

The REL flips direction to match commuter demand. In the morning, it carries traffic toward downtown; in the evening, it reverses to carry commuters home. This keeps traffic moving efficiently in the direction most people are actually traveling, rather than letting congestion build in one direction while the other sits underused.

Does it cost more to use?

No. Tolls on the REL are the same as the local lanes below.

When can you use it?

Starting in July, the REL is moving to a new schedule.

Monday through Friday (Weekdays)

  • 5:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Westbound toward Downtown Tampa (Morning Commute)
  • 12:00 PM – 5:00 AM: Eastbound toward Brandon (Evening Commute and Overnight)

Weekends & Holidays

The REL will remain eastbound toward Brandon all day, with no reversal, on weekends and during the following major holidays:

  • Christmas Eve & Christmas Day
  • Thanksgiving Day & the following Friday
  • New Year’s Day
  • Memorial Day
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day

Other holidays — Martin Luther King Day, Good Friday, Juneteenth, and Veterans Day — follow the regular weekday reversal schedule.

Keep in mind that THEA may adjust reversal times based on traffic conditions, maintenance, or special events. Check current hours here before you head out.