Bagdad, FL to St. Petersburg, FL is 440.7 miles and takes about 8h 35m via I 10 and US 19, with a fuel budget near $70 and an overnight recommendation. This highway-focused drive will take you across the Florida panhandle and down the western side of the state. With a 97% highway share, expect a quick journey, but consider breaking it into two days for a more relaxed pace. The total drive time suggests it's manageable in one long day if you start early, but splitting it allows for more flexibility and less fatigue. Plan for a substantial fuel cost of around $70 for this journey.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
220.4 miles from Bagdad, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
198.3 mi
3h 32m
US 19
110.2 mi
2h 19m
Suncoast Parkway
54.3 mi
58m
Florida Georgia Parkway
37.2 mi
47m
I 275
15.4 mi
18m
Veterans Expressway
6.9 mi
8m
FL 589 Toll Express Lane
5.3 mi
6m
Gulf to Lake Highway
4.7 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 198.3 mi, about 3h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bagdad, FL and St. Petersburg, FL.
1
Start on Church Street
0.2 mi·28 sec·Church Street
2
Turn straight onto CR 191
1.9 mi·3 min·Garcon Point Road
3
Turn left
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 10 East: Tallahassee
4
Merge onto I 10
198 mi·3 hr 32 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Exit 225Toward US 19: Florida-Georgia Parkway, Monticello, Perry
6
Turn right onto US 19
4.7 mi·6 min·Florida Georgia Parkway
7
At end of road, turn left onto US 19; US 27
32 mi·41 min·Florida Georgia Parkway
8
Continue on US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate
55 mi·1 hr 8 min·US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate
9
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.
10
Turn left onto FL 44
0.9 mi·1 min·Northeast 5th Street
Use the left lane.
11
Continue on FL 44
4.7 mi·7 min·Gulf to Lake Highway
12
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward FL 589 Toll: Suncoast Parkway
13
Merge onto FL 589 Toll
54 mi·58 min·Suncoast Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto FL 589 Toll
1.6 mi·1 min·Veterans Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto FL 589 Toll
3.9 mi·4 min·Veterans Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 589 Toll
5.3 mi·6 min·FL 589 Toll Express Lane
17
Merge onto FL 589 Toll
1.5 mi·2 min·Veterans Expressway
Toward Tampa:St. PetersburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on FL 60
0.2 mi·13 sec·Memorial Highway
Toward FL 60: Tampa, St. Petersburg
19
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.
20
Take the exit
1.0 mi·2 min
Toward I 275 South: Saint PetersburgUse the slight right lane.
21
Merge onto I 275
15 mi·18 min·I 275
Toward I 275: Saint PetersburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 23BToward FL 595: Treasure Island, Florida Orange Groves WineryUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn right onto FL 595
1.2 mi·2 min·5th Avenue North
24
Turn left onto US 19
0.5 mi·1 min·34th Street North
Use the left lane.
25
Continue on US 19
323 ft·14 sec·34th Street South
26
Arrive at destination
US 19
Trip Plan
Given the 8h 35m estimated duration, it's highly recommended to split this 440.7-mile trip over two days. Aim to depart Bagdad in the morning to make good progress on I 10 before stopping for the night. Plan your overnight stop strategically to maximize your time on the road the following day. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially on the longer stretches, and utilize the designated stops along the main highways. A fuel cost of $70 is a good estimate, but factor in potential price variations.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 220.4 miles from Bagdad, FL, or about 4h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 198.3 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 97 miles or 1h 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 220.4 miles or 4h 3m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 220.4 miles or 4h 3m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 23m
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 Bagdad, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Bagdad, FL
Aim for roughly 220 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into St. Petersburg, FL
Aim for roughly 220 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 97 miles from Bagdad, FL.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 10 for about 198.3 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 200.8 and 438.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
200.8 mi into trip|~3h 37m in
Take the exit toward US 19: Florida-Georgia Parkway, Monticello, Perry
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 225
Toward US 19: Florida-Georgia Parkway, Monticel...
6
293.3 mi into trip|~5h 34m 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
410.4 mi into trip|~7h 55m 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.
8
421.2 mi into trip|~8h 9m 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
438.7 mi into trip|~8h 31m 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
$70.15 one way
$140.30 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg154 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$76.31
$152.61
premium
$4.72
$81.95
$163.89
diesel
$5.61
$97.30
$194.60
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
$70
Tolls
$4
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$204–$314
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 154.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $46 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
132.2
1
$46.27
$21.15
Efficient EV
110.2
1
$38.56
$17.63
EV Truck/SUV
176.3
2
$61.70
$28.20
Gas CO2
154 kg
EV CO2
52 kg (66% 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Bagdad, FL
Night
in Bagdad on Saturday
Local time
11:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
St. Petersburg, FL
Late night
in St. Petersburg on Sunday
Local time
12:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
Time zone
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
8 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
8h 35m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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 440.7
Millions of visitors are drawn to the Gulf of America for Gulf Islands National Seashore's emerald coast waters, magnificent white beaches, fertile marshes and historical landscapes. Come explore with...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway drive, with 97% of the journey on major roads. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on I 10, which forms the longest uninterrupted stretch of 198.3 miles. As you transition to US 19 and the Suncoast Parkway, the character remains largely highway-oriented. Expect a consistent driving experience with limited deviations from high-speed travel. The focus is on covering distance efficiently rather than exploring winding backroads.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 198.3 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and US 19. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 200.8 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 440.7 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 200.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 293.3 miles (US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 410.4 miles (FL 589 Toll / Veterans Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Bagdad, FL and St. Petersburg, FL, road signs point toward Monticello and Perry.
Monticello
200.8 mi in|~3h 37m
Perry
200.8 mi in|~3h 37m
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 198.3 miles on I 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 220 miles on day one.
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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 200.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 293.3 miles (US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 410.4 miles (FL 589 Toll / Veterans Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — De Soto National Memorial and Gulf Islands National Seashore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.6 hours each way, a round trip means 17.2 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.
