Bandit Coffee Co.
Near the start, right off the route
St. Petersburg, Florida
Hours: 7 am–3 pm
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 13m
Distance
273.8 mi
441 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$44
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Belleair Beach, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Hialeah, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Spanning 273.8 miles, your journey from Belleair Beach to Hialeah is a straightforward trek across Florida that typically takes about 5 hours and 13 minutes. Because this is a highway-focused drive, you can easily complete the trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget approximately $46 for fuel to cover the distance. Navigating through the state, you will rely heavily on I-75, I-275, and the iconic Sunshine Skyway Bridge to move between the Gulf Coast and the greater Miami area. This route is designed for efficiency, prioritizing speed over local detours, making it a reliable choice if your goal is to reach Hialeah quickly.
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
136.9 miles from Belleair Beach, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 41m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 223.5 mi | 3h 59m |
| Sunshine Skyway Bridge | 13.4 mi | 15m |
| I 275 | 11.2 mi | 14m |
| US Highway 19 North | 6.4 mi | 9m |
| East Bay Drive | 3.5 mi | 6m |
| Express Lanes | 3 mi | 3m |
| West Bay Drive | 2.3 mi | 5m |
| Gratigny Parkway | 2.1 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Belleair Beach, FL and Hialeah, FL.
Start on Gulf Boulevard
Turn left onto CR 416
Continue on CR 416
Continue on CR 416
Continue on FL 686
Turn right onto US 19 Southbound Frontage Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 19
Keep slight left at fork onto US 19
Continue on US 19
Turn left onto 54th Avenue North
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 275
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 275; US 19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 275
Merge onto I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
Keep slight right at fork onto I 75
Take the exit
Merge onto Express Lanes
Take the exit
Merge onto I 75
Continue on SR 924 Toll
Take the exit
Turn right onto SR 823
Turn left onto West 68th Street
Continue on West 2nd Court
Continue on West 65th Street
Turn right onto Palm Avenue
Turn left onto East 41st Street
Turn right onto East 2nd Avenue
Turn left onto East 39th Place
Turn right onto East 2nd Court
Turn right onto East 39th Street
Arrive at destination
To make the most of your 5-hour and 13-minute travel time, plan to depart early in the morning to avoid peak congestion on the major interstates. Since the itinerary includes only one planned stop, use that break strategically to refuel and stretch your legs before tackling the long 223.5-mile segment on I-75. Keeping your fuel budget of $46 in mind, try to fill up before hitting the most remote highway stretches to ensure a worry-free arrival in Hialeah. Because this is a one-day trip, your primary advantage is flexibility; check real-time traffic alerts before you pull out of Belleair Beach to navigate around any unexpected delays on the Skyway Bridge or I-75.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 60 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 136.9 miles or 2h 41m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hialeah, FL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Belleair Beach, 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 Belleair Beach, FL
This is one driving day of about 273.8 miles and 5h 13m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
137 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 60 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 136.9 miles from Belleair Beach, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 223.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Best meal stop · first break window
St. Petersburg, Florida
Near the start, right off the route
Hours: 7 am–3 pm
Paradeco Coffee Roasters
St. Petersburg, Florida
The Coffee Mill
Largo, Florida
Best coffee break · first break window
St. Petersburg, Florida
Near the start, right off the route
Hours: 7 am–5 pm
+17272703739
Belleair Coffee Company & Roastery
Belleair Bluffs, Florida
Bad Mother
St. Petersburg, Florida
Near the start, right off the route
St. Petersburg, Florida
Hours: 7 am–3 pm
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
St. Petersburg, Florida
Hours: 7 am–5 pm
+17272226458
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Largo, Florida
Hours: 7 am–5 pm
+17272238595
Visit websiteNear the start, ~9 min detour
Clearwater, Florida
Hours: 7 am–3 pm
+17276213888
Visit websiteNear the start, ~10 min detour
Clearwater, Florida
Hours: 8 am–8 pm
+18132237999
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
St. Petersburg, Florida
Hours: 7 am–5 pm
+17272703739
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Belleair Bluffs, Florida
Hours: 6:30 am–6:30 pm
+17275011010
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
St. Petersburg, Florida
Hours: 7:30 am–4 pm
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Largo, Florida
Hours: 8 am–3 pm
+17276869114
Visit websiteNear the start, ~11 min detour
Seminole, Florida
Hours: 7 am–3 pm
+17274377011
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Punta Gorda, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336322778
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Fort Myers, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18555023851
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Largo, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+17279007584
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Venice, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Largo, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18334662474
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Fort Myers, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18889982546
Visit websiteNear the start, ~9 min detour
Largo, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteNear the start, ~9 min detour
Largo, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18668167584
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
St. Petersburg, Florida
Hours: 12–3:30 pm
+17272105450
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Hours: 8 am–5 pm
+13058490135
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Sarasota, Florida
Hours: 12–4 pm
+19413716377
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
St. Petersburg, Florida
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+17278227872
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Naples, Florida
Hours: Closed
+12392524021
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
St. Petersburg, Florida
Hours: 10 am–8 pm
+17278233767
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
St. Petersburg, Florida
Hours: 10 am–10 pm
+17276471538
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
St. Petersburg, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+17278937441
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 9.8 and 270.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight left at fork onto US 19 / US Highway 19 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward Miami
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 75
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward SR 823: Northwest 57th Avenue, Red Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$43.58 one way
$87.16 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $47.41 | $94.82 |
| premium | $4.72 | $50.91 | $101.82 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $60.45 | $120.90 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.94
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
$44
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 82.1 | 1 | $28.75 | $13.14 |
| Efficient EV | 68.5 | 0 | $23.96 | $10.95 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 109.5 | 1 | $38.33 | $17.52 |
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Belleair Beach on Tuesday
Local time
4:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Hialeah on Tuesday
Local time
4:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
National Park
Within sight of Miami, yet worlds away, Biscayne protects a rare combination of aquamarine waters, emerald islands, and fish-bejeweled coral reefs. Evidence of 10,000 years of human history is here to...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
With 89% of your trip spent on highways, you should prepare for a consistent, high-speed driving experience. The route features a significant 223.5-mile stretch primarily on I-75, which serves as the backbone of your travel. You will find that the personality of the drive leans heavily toward a focused interstate grind, requiring steady attention to traffic flow. As you transition from the coastal roads near Belleair Beach onto the major highway arteries, the pace becomes uniform and predictable. Expect to spend the vast majority of your time behind the wheel maintaining highway speeds as you navigate this major north-to-south corridor.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Sunshine Skyway Bridge. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9.8 miles in near US 19 / US Highway 19 North.
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 28 significant decision points across 273.8 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 9.8 miles (US 19 / US Highway 19 North): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 68.7 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 250 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Belleair Beach, FL to Hialeah, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Miami along the way.
Miami
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 13m. Total distance: 273.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Belleair Beach, FL or browse trips ending in Hialeah, FL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse FL road trips.