Origin
Chiefland, FL
Morning in Chiefland on Sunday
Local time
10:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Chiefland, FL to St. Petersburg, FL
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 48m
Distance
138.3 mi
223 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 37m
★
6 AM
2h 48m
8 AM
3h 10m
10 AM
2h 56m
12 PM
2h 54m
3 PM
2h 57m
5 PM
3h 9m
8 PM
2h 42m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chiefland, FL
Wikimedia Commons
St. Petersburg, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 138.3-mile drive from Chiefland to St. Petersburg is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 48 minutes. You'll primarily navigate via the Suncoast Parkway and I-275, with a section on Main Street. The route is largely highway driving, making it a straightforward journey through Florida. With an estimated fuel cost of $22, this trip is quite budget-friendly for a day excursion. The overall feel is a practical, efficient connection between two points in the Sunshine State, with just one recommended stop along the way. This route is ideal if you're looking for a quick and uncomplicated transition within Florida.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
69.2 miles from Chiefland, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 25m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Suncoast Parkway | 54.3 mi | 58m |
| Main Street | 46.1 mi | 57m |
| 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 |
| Memorial Highway | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| 5th Avenue North | 1.2 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Suncoast Parkway
— 54.3 mi, about 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chiefland, FL and St. Petersburg, FL.
1
Start on US 19; US 98
46 mi
·
57 min
·
Main Street
Use the left lane.
2
Turn left onto FL 44
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast 5th Street
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on FL 44
4.7 mi
·
7 min
·
Gulf to Lake Highway
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward FL 589 Toll: Suncoast Parkway
5
Merge onto FL 589 Toll
54 mi
·
58 min
·
Suncoast Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto FL 589 Toll
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Veterans Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto FL 589 Toll
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Veterans Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 589 Toll
5.3 mi
·
6 min
·
FL 589 Toll Express Lane
9
Merge onto FL 589 Toll
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Veterans Expressway
Toward Tampa:St. Petersburg
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on FL 60
0.2 mi
·
13 sec
·
Memorial Highway
Toward FL 60: Tampa, St. Petersburg
11
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 60
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Memorial Highway
Toward FL 60: Tampa, St. Petersburg
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 275 South: Saint Petersburg
Use the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 275
15 mi
·
18 min
·
I 275
Toward I 275: Saint Petersburg
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 23B
Toward FL 595: Treasure Island, Florida Orange Groves Winery
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn right onto FL 595
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
5th Avenue North
16
Turn left onto US 19
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
34th Street North
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on US 19
323 ft
·
14 sec
·
34th Street South
18
Arrive at destination
US 19
Trip Plan
For this 138.3-mile trip, a morning departure from Chiefland is recommended to maximize your time in St. Petersburg. Since the total duration is under 3 hours, you won't need to split the drive, offering flexibility. Plan for one stop to break up the 54.3-mile stretch on the Suncoast Parkway. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $22 for the entire journey. The transition from the Suncoast Parkway onto I-275 is a key point to be aware of as you get closer to St. Petersburg, so pay attention to navigation.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 69.2 miles from Chiefland, FL, or about 1h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.3 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 30 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 69.2 miles or 1h 25m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 14m
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 Chiefland, 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 Chiefland, FL
This is one driving day of about 138.3 miles and 2h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Chiefland, 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 Suncoast Parkway for about 54.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
69 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 69.2 miles from Chiefland, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 108 and 136.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
108 mi into trip
|
~2h 7m 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
117.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 19m in
|
FL 589 Toll / Veterans Expressway
Merge onto FL 589 Toll / Veterans Expressway toward Tampa:St. Petersburg
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Tampa:St. Petersburg
8
118.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 21m 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
6
119.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 23m in
Take the exit toward I 275 South: Saint Petersburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 275 South: Saint Petersburg
8
136.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 43m 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
$22.01 one way
$44.03 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
48 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $23.95 | $47.89 |
| premium | $4.72 | $25.72 | $51.43 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $30.53 | $61.07 |
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
$22
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 41.5 | 0 | $14.52 | $6.64 |
| Efficient EV | 34.6 | 0 | $12.10 | $5.53 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 55.3 | 0 | $19.36 | $8.85 |
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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.
Destination
St. Petersburg, FL
Morning in St. Petersburg on Sunday
Local time
10:56 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.
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
30 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
2h 48m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 138.3
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
The character of this drive is a mixed bag, with 59% of the journey on highways. You'll experience stretches of faster driving, particularly on the Suncoast Parkway, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch of 54.3 miles. This means you can cover significant ground efficiently. The route transitions between these main arteries and local roads, offering a varied driving experience. Expect a blend of open highway cruising and navigating through more populated areas as you approach your destination, providing a dynamic feel behind the wheel.
59% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 54.3 mi on Suncoast Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 108 miles in near FL 589 Toll / Veterans Expressway.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 13 significant decision points across 138.3 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 108 miles (FL 589 Toll / Veterans Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 117.2 miles (FL 589 Toll / Veterans Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 118.8 miles (FL 60 / Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Chiefland, FL to St. Petersburg, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Tampa:st. Petersburg along the way.
Tampa:st. Petersburg
117.2 mi in
|
~2h 19m
|
via FL 589 Toll
About the Cities
Arriving in St. Petersburg, FL
Full guide →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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 48m. Total distance: 138.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (59%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 54.3 miles on Suncoast 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.
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 108 miles (FL 589 Toll / Veterans Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 117.2 miles (FL 589 Toll / Veterans Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 118.8 miles (FL 60 / Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — De Soto National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at St. Petersburg, FL before heading back.
How this page is built
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.
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