This 347.6-mile drive from Chipley, Florida, to St. Petersburg, Florida, is a solid day trip, estimated to take around 6 hours and 56 minutes. You'll primarily be on US 19 and the Suncoast Parkway, with a short stint on I-10, making it a 96% highway-focused experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $55, this route is designed for efficiency rather than leisurely exploration. It's a straightforward journey through the heart of Florida, perfect for getting from point A to point B without too many detours. Consider an early start to make the most of your single day on the 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
173.8 miles from Chipley, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 19
110.2 mi
2h 19m
I 10
104.7 mi
1h 52m
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:
US 19
— 110.2 mi, about 2h 19m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 22 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,476 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,875
Quietest
2 AM
~157 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chipley, FL and St. Petersburg, FL.
1
Start on East Church Avenue
56 ft·9 sec·East Church Avenue
2
Turn left onto FL 77
2.6 mi·5 min·Main Street
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward I 10 East: TallahasseeUse the left lane.
4
Merge onto I 10
105 mi·1 hr 52 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
To make this 6-hour and 56-minute drive manageable in one day, aim to depart from Chipley early in the morning. While the route is highway-focused, there's a significant 110.2-mile stretch on US 19 where you'll want to ensure you have adequate fuel. Plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refuel; the estimated $55 fuel cost is a good budget to keep in mind. Given the direct nature of this 347.6-mile trip, you have flexibility to adjust your pace, but staying aware of your fuel gauge, especially on the longer US 19 segment, is key.
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 173.8 miles from Chipley, FL, or about 3h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 110.2 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 76 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 173.8 miles or 3h 22m 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 44m
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 Chipley, 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 Chipley, FL
This is one driving day of about 347.6 miles and 6h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 76 miles from Chipley, 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 US 19 for about 110.2 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 107.7 and 345.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
107.7 mi into trip|~1h 58m 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
200.2 mi into trip|~3h 55m 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
317.3 mi into trip|~6h 16m 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
328.1 mi into trip|~6h 30m 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
345.5 mi into trip|~6h 52m 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
$52.62 one way
$105.24 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg122 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$57.74
$115.47
premium
$4.55
$62.27
$124.53
diesel
$4.80
$65.63
$131.27
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
$53
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 121.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
104.3
1
$36.50
$16.68
Efficient EV
86.9
0
$30.42
$13.90
EV Truck/SUV
139
1
$48.66
$22.25
Gas CO2
122 kg
EV CO2
41 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Chipley, FL
Morning
in Chipley on Sunday
Local time
9:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NW 5 to 10 mph18% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 17 at 3:45AM EDT until July 18 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 2:50AM EDT until July 17 at 7:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Destination
St. Petersburg, FL
Morning
in St. Petersburg on Sunday
Local time
10:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
91°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WNW 6 to 9 mph74% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 17 at 3:45AM EDT until July 18 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 2:50AM EDT until July 17 at 7:00PM EDT by NWS Miami 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
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
3 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 56m 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 347.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive with 96% of the journey on high-speed roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a considerable 110.2 miles on US 19, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving. You'll transition from I-10 onto US 19, and then utilize the Suncoast Parkway, which generally offers a smooth and direct path. This route prioritizes getting you to your destination efficiently, with less emphasis on winding backroads or frequent scenic pull-offs.
96% 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: 110.2 mi on US 19.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 19 and I 10. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 107.7 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 18 significant decision points across 347.6 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 107.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 200.2 miles (US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 317.3 miles (FL 589 Toll / Veterans Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
136 ft17 ft
Total Climb
119 ft
Total Descent
181 ft
Highest Point
136 ft
~49.7 mi in
Elevation Range
118 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Chipley, FL and St. Petersburg, FL, road signs point toward Monticello, Perry and Tampa:st. Petersburg.
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 56m. Total distance: 347.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 56m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 110.2 miles on US 19. 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.
Yes — we found about 11 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 11 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 107.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 200.2 miles (US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 317.3 miles (FL 589 Toll / Veterans Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 6.9 hours each way, a round trip means 13.9 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.
