Apalachicola to St. Petersburg is 309.7 miles and takes about 6h 40m via Byron Butler Parkway and US 19, with a fuel budget near $49 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, taking you from the Panhandle down towards the Gulf Coast. With 77% highway driving and a relatively short duration, it's a straightforward route suitable for a single day. Plan for a full day of driving, keeping in mind the fuel costs and the longest stretch of road.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
154.9 miles from Apalachicola, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 29m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Apalachicola, FL and St. Petersburg, FL.
1
Start on 5th Street
0.1 mi·30 sec·5th Street
2
Turn left onto Avenue C
456 ft·24 sec·Avenue C
3
Turn right onto US 98
43 mi·1 hr 3 min·US 98
4
Continue on US 319
6.6 mi·9 min·Sopchoppy Highway
5
Turn left onto US 98; US 319
54 mi·1 hr 10 min·Coastal Highway
Use the left lane.
6
Turn right onto US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate; US 221 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 14 min·Byron Butler Parkway
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate
55 mi·1 hr 10 min·US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate
Use the left lane.
8
Turn left onto FL 44
0.9 mi·1 min·Northeast 5th Street
Use the left lane.
9
Continue on FL 44
4.7 mi·7 min·Gulf to Lake Highway
10
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward FL 589 Toll: Suncoast Parkway
11
Merge onto FL 589 Toll
54 mi·58 min·Suncoast Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto FL 589 Toll
1.6 mi·1 min·Veterans Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto FL 589 Toll
3.9 mi·4 min·Veterans Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 589 Toll
5.3 mi·6 min·FL 589 Toll Express Lane
15
Merge onto FL 589 Toll
1.5 mi·2 min·Veterans Expressway
Toward Tampa:St. PetersburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on FL 60
0.2 mi·13 sec·Memorial Highway
Toward FL 60: Tampa, St. Petersburg
17
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 60
1.1 mi·1 min·Memorial Highway
Toward FL 60: Tampa, St. PetersburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
1.0 mi·2 min
Toward I 275 South: Saint PetersburgUse the slight right lane.
19
Merge onto I 275
15 mi·18 min·I 275
Toward I 275: Saint PetersburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 23BToward FL 595: Treasure Island, Florida Orange Groves WineryUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn right onto FL 595
1.2 mi·2 min·5th Avenue North
22
Turn left onto US 19
0.5 mi·1 min·34th Street North
Use the left lane.
23
Continue on US 19
323 ft·14 sec·34th Street South
24
Arrive at destination
US 19
Trip Plan
For this 6h 40m drive, leaving early in the morning from Apalachicola is a good idea to maximize daylight. The 309.7-mile route has a fuel cost estimate of $49, so ensure your tank is full before departing. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 58.3 miles, you can easily complete this in one day. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition off the main highways towards the end of your drive.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 154.9 miles from Apalachicola, FL, or about 3h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.3 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 68 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 154.9 miles or 3h 29m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near St. Petersburg, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Apalachicola, FL so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Apalachicola, FL
This is one driving day of about 309.7 miles and 6h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from Apalachicola, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Byron Butler Parkway for about 58.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 162.4 and 307.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
162.4 mi into trip|~3h 39m in|US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate
Keep slight right at fork onto US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
279.4 mi into trip|~6h in|FL 589 Toll / Veterans Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto FL 589 Toll / Veterans Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
288.6 mi into trip|~6h 11m in|FL 589 Toll / Veterans Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Tampa:St. Petersburg
8
290.2 mi into trip|~6h 14m in|FL 60 / Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 60 / Memorial Highway toward FL 60: Tampa, St. Petersburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward FL 60: Tampa, St. Petersburg
8
307.7 mi into trip|~6h 35m in
Take the exit toward FL 595: Treasure Island, Florida Orange Groves Winery
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 23B
Toward FL 595: Treasure Island, Florida Orange...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.88 one way
$93.76 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg108 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$51.44
$102.88
premium
$4.55
$55.48
$110.96
diesel
$4.80
$58.48
$116.95
Estimated Tolls: $3.82
Suncoast Parkway
(54.3 mi)$3.26
Veterans Expressway
(6.9 mi)$0.56
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 108.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
92.9
1
$32.52
$14.87
Efficient EV
77.4
0
$27.10
$12.39
EV Truck/SUV
123.9
1
$43.36
$19.82
Gas CO2
108 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Apalachicola, FL
Afternoon
in Apalachicola on Sunday
Local time
1:37 PM
EDT
Current temp
92°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WNW 10 mph18% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 3:05PM EDT by NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin FL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 3:04PM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Destination
St. Petersburg, FL
Afternoon
in St. Petersburg on Sunday
Local time
1:37 PM
EDT
Current temp
91°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
WNW 9 mph52% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 3:05PM EDT by NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin FL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 3:04PM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 40m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
De Soto National Memorial
National Memorial
In May 1539, Conquistador Hernando de Soto’s army of soldiers, hired mercenaries, craftsmen, and clergy made landfall in Tampa Bay. They were met with fierce resistance of indigenous people protecting...
17 mi from route
~43 min detour
Free
near mile 309.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily highway, with 77% of the 309.7 miles on higher-speed roads. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch of 58.3 miles on Byron Butler Parkway. After the highway segments, expect to transition to surface roads for the remainder of the trip. The profile suggests mostly highway cruising, so be prepared for a consistent driving pace with fewer complex turns.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 58.3 mi on Byron Butler Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Byron Butler Parkway and US 19. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 162.4 miles in near US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 309.7 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 162.4 miles (US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 279.4 miles (FL 589 Toll / Veterans Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 288.6 miles (FL 589 Toll / Veterans Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
74 ft10 ft
Total Climb
125 ft
Total Descent
92 ft
Highest Point
74 ft
~243.4 mi in
Elevation Range
64 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Apalachicola, FL to St. Petersburg, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Tampa:st. Petersburg along the way.
Saint Petersburg sits at the base of the Tampa Bay peninsula in Pinellas County, Florida, and enjoys a more subdued social atmosphere than its larger cousin, Tampa. The city has tried to characterize the downtown as an arts and entertainments destination and you will find no shortage of arts and crafts stores, galleries, and museums along with cafes and boutique food shops all within a couple blocks of the Tampa Bay waterfront. With water on three sides of the city, St. Pete is a superb location for fishing, sailing, and wandering beaches.
Top landmarks
•Salvador Dalí Museum — art museum in St. Petersburg, Florida, United States
•Vinoy Park Hotel — historic hotel in St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
•Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg, Florida, USA — museum in St. Petersburg, Florida
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 40m. Total distance: 309.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 40m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 58.3 miles on Byron Butler Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.82 in tolls one way, starting with Suncoast Parkway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at St. Petersburg, FL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 162.4 miles (US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 279.4 miles (FL 589 Toll / Veterans Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 288.6 miles (FL 589 Toll / Veterans Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — De Soto National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.7 hours each way, a round trip means 13.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at St. Petersburg, FL before the return drive.
