This 239.9-mile drive from Cooper City, FL to St. Petersburg, FL is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 4 hours and 26 minutes. The route is heavily focused on highway travel, with 92% of it utilizing major interstates like I-75 and I-275, including the notable Sunshine Skyway Bridge. With an estimated fuel cost of $38, this trip offers a straightforward and efficient journey across Florida. The drive is predominantly highway-focused, making it a practical option for those looking to reach their destination with minimal fuss. Consider this a direct path for a quick Florida excursion.
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
120 miles from Cooper City, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
209.2 mi
3h 44m
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
14.3 mi
16m
I 275
5.7 mi
7m
Port Everglades Expressway
3.3 mi
3m
Nob Hill Road
1.7 mi
2m
SR 84
1.4 mi
2m
South Nob Hill Road
1.3 mi
2m
Griffin Road
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 209.2 mi, about 3h 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cooper City, FL and St. Petersburg, FL.
1
Start on this road
103 ft·9 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto Southwest 51st Street
474 ft·28 sec·Southwest 51st Street
3
Turn left onto Southwest 90th Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Southwest 90th Avenue
4
At end of road, turn left onto SR 818
0.6 mi·1 min·Griffin Road
5
Turn right onto Southwest 100th Avenue
210 ft·6 sec·Southwest 100th Avenue
Use the right lane.
6
Continue on Nob Hill Road
1.7 mi·2 min·Nob Hill Road
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on South Nob Hill Road
1.3 mi·2 min·South Nob Hill Road
Use the straight lane.
8
Turn left onto SR 84
0.7 mi·1 min·SR 84
Use the left lane.
9
Turn slight left onto SR 84
0.8 mi·1 min·SR 84
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 595 WestUse the left lane.
11
Merge onto I 595
3.3 mi·3 min·Port Everglades Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
12
Merge onto I 75
209 mi·3 hr 44 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit onto I 275
5.7 mi·7 min·I 275
Exit 228Toward I 275 North: Saint PetersburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·19 sec
15
Merge onto I 275; US 19
14 mi·16 min·Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Exit 20Toward 31st Street SouthUse the slight left lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork
161 ft·9 sec
Toward Winery, Treasure Island, Tropicana Field
18
Turn left onto 31st Street South
0.4 mi·58 sec·31st Street South
19
Turn left onto 5th Avenue South
0.2 mi·39 sec·5th Avenue South
20
Turn right onto US 19
0.3 mi·40 sec·34th Street South
21
Arrive at destination
US 19
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour 26-minute duration, this trip works well as a single-day journey, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. You can aim for an early start to beat potential traffic or depart later for a more relaxed morning. With only one recommended stop, you can choose to power through or plan a brief refueling break. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 209.2-mile stretch on I-75, as services might be more spread out in certain sections. The $38 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always factor in a little extra for unexpected detours or local driving.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 120 miles from Cooper City, FL, or about 2h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 209.2 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 53 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 120 miles or 2h 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 36m
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 Cooper City, 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 Cooper City, FL
This is one driving day of about 239.9 miles and 4h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Cooper City, 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 I 75 for about 209.2 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.1 and 239 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.1 mi into trip|~3m in|Southwest 100th Avenue
Turn right onto Southwest 100th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
4.2 mi into trip|~8m in|SR 84
Turn left onto SR 84
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
218.3 mi into trip|~3h 59m in|I 275
Take the exit onto I 275 toward I 275 North: Saint Petersburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 228
Toward I 275 North: Saint Petersburg
7
238.7 mi into trip|~4h 23m in
Take the exit toward 31st Street South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 20
Toward 31st Street South
7
239 mi into trip|~4h 24m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Winery, Treasure Island, Tropicana Field
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Winery, Treasure Island, Tropicana Field
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.19 one way
$76.37 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg84 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$41.54
$83.08
premium
$4.72
$44.61
$89.22
diesel
$5.61
$52.97
$105.93
Estimated Tolls: $1.00
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
(14.3 mi)$1.00
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
$38
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
72
0
$25.19
$11.52
Efficient EV
60
0
$20.99
$9.60
EV Truck/SUV
96
1
$33.59
$15.35
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Cooper City, FL
Morning
in Cooper City on Sunday
Local time
6:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
St. Petersburg, FL
Morning
in St. Petersburg on Sunday
Local time
6:30 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
17 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
4h 26m on the road
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.
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...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 223.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a primarily highway-focused experience on this route, with 92% of the journey on interstates. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 209.2 miles along I-75, indicating long periods of consistent driving. This profile suggests a drive characterized by steady speeds and efficient travel, rather than winding scenic byways. The road network is designed for throughput, making it a direct connection between your starting and ending points in Florida.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 209.2 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 1.1 miles in near Southwest 100th Avenue.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 239.9 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 1.1 miles (Southwest 100th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.2 miles (SR 84): Lane positioning matters here; at 218.3 miles (I 275): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 26m. Total distance: 239.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 209.2 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.00 in tolls one way, starting with Sunshine Skyway Bridge. 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 1.1 miles (Southwest 100th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.2 miles (SR 84): Lane positioning matters here; at 218.3 miles (I 275): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — De Soto National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.9 hours — manageable with a long break at St. Petersburg, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
