This 266.4-mile journey from Coral Gables, FL to St. Petersburg, FL will take approximately 3 hours and 52 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $45, this route is easily manageable as a single-day trip. You'll be navigating primarily local roads, indicated by its turn-heavy profile and 0% highway share. The drive is best suited for those who prefer a more engaged, less highway-focused experience. Considering its duration and the nature of the roads, it's a straightforward drive across Florida, connecting two points within the same state.
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
132.2 miles from Coral Gables, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 27m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
224.5 mi
4h
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
14.3 mi
16m
Express Lanes
10.9 mi
12m
I 275
5.7 mi
7m
Palmetto Expressway
2.9 mi
3m
Southwest 40th Street
2.7 mi
5m
University Drive
0.8 mi
2m
31st Street South
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 224.5 mi, about 4h
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 124 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,628 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,277
Quietest
2 AM
~215 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.9×
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 Coral Gables, FL and St. Petersburg, FL.
1
Start on US 1
0.2 mi·25 sec·South Dixie Highway
2
Turn right onto Granada Boulevard
0.2 mi·37 sec·Granada Boulevard
Use the right lane.
3
Turn left onto Pisano Avenue
0.1 mi·18 sec·Pisano Avenue
4
Turn right onto University Drive
0.8 mi·2 min·University Drive
5
At end of road, turn left onto SR 976
2.7 mi·5 min·Southwest 40th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward SR 826 NorthUse the straight / right lanes.
7
Merge onto SR 826
2.9 mi·3 min·Palmetto Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto Express Lanes
11 mi·12 min·Express Lanes
Use the slight left lane.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·13 sec
Toward SR 860: Northwest 186th Street, Miami Gardens DriveUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 75
14 mi·14 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
211 mi·3 hr 45 min·I 75
Toward Alligator Alley, NaplesUse the slight left / straight lanes.
12
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.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·19 sec
14
Merge onto I 275; US 19
14 mi·16 min·Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Exit 20Toward 31st Street SouthUse the slight left lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
161 ft·9 sec
Toward Winery, Treasure Island, Tropicana Field
17
Turn left onto 31st Street South
0.4 mi·58 sec·31st Street South
18
Turn left onto 5th Avenue South
0.2 mi·39 sec·5th Avenue South
19
Turn right onto US 19
0.3 mi·40 sec·34th Street South
20
Arrive at destination
US 19
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 52-minute duration and its local road nature, departing early from Coral Gables is advisable to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility to pace yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $45 estimated cost suggests you'll need to refuel at least once during the 266.4-mile trip. A practical tip for this turn-heavy route is to utilize GPS with live traffic updates, as unexpected delays can occur on local roads.
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 132.2 miles from Coral Gables, FL, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 224.5 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 58 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.2 miles or 2h 27m 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 58m
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 Coral Gables, 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 Coral Gables, FL
This is one driving day of about 264.4 miles and 4h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Coral Gables, 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 224.5 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 18.1 and 263.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
18.1 mi into trip|~25m in
Take the exit toward SR 860: Northwest 186th Street, Miami Gardens Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward SR 860: Northwest 186th Street, Miami Ga...
8
31.9 mi into trip|~40m in|I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward Alligator Alley, Naples
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward Alligator Alley, Naples
7
242.8 mi into trip|~4h 26m 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
263.1 mi into trip|~4h 50m 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
263.4 mi into trip|~4h 51m 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
$40.02 one way
$80.05 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$43.92
$87.83
premium
$4.55
$47.36
$94.73
diesel
$4.80
$49.92
$99.85
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
$40
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.3
0
$27.76
$12.69
Efficient EV
66.1
0
$23.14
$10.58
EV Truck/SUV
105.8
1
$37.02
$16.92
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Coral Gables, FL
Late night
in Coral Gables on Monday
Local time
3:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 6 mph8% 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
Destination
St. Petersburg, FL
Late night
in St. Petersburg on Monday
Local time
3:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 5 mph21% 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
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
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
4h 53m 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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 248.1
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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highly local, turn-heavy driving experience on this route, with a 0% highway share. You'll be navigating through communities using roads like Granada Boulevard, Pisano Avenue, and University Drive. There's no single 'longest stretch' to highlight, as the road is characterized by frequent changes in direction and speed. This profile means you'll be constantly interacting with the local environment, making it a dynamic, rather than monotonous, drive. Be prepared for traffic lights and intersections as you make your way across the state.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 224.5 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 18.1 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 264.4 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 18.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31.9 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 242.8 miles (I 275): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
43 ft8 ft
Total Climb
61 ft
Total Descent
26 ft
Highest Point
43 ft
~264.4 mi in
Elevation Range
35 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Coral Gables, FL and St. Petersburg, FL, road signs point toward Alligator Alley and Naples.
Alligator Alley
31.9 mi in|~40m|via I 75
Naples
31.9 mi in|~40m|via I 75
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Coral Gables is a city in Greater Miami, in Florida.
Just south of downtown Miami is beautiful Coral Gables, or simply "The Gables" as it is known to natives. The city is perhaps best known as the home of the University of Miami, one of the nation's leading private universities.
Top landmarks
•Biltmore Hotel — luxury hotel and historic place in Coral Gables near Miami, Florida, USA
•Venetian Pool — historic swimming pool in Coral Gables, Florida, U.S.A.
•Coral Gables Congregational Church — church building in Coral Gables, Florida
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 4h 53m. Total distance: 264.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 224.5 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.
Yes — we found about 15 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 15 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 18.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31.9 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 242.8 miles (I 275): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — De Soto National Memorial and Biscayne National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at St. Petersburg, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
