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Trip from Florida City, 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

5h 14m

Distance

280 mi

451 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$45

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
5h 1m ★
6 AM
5h 15m
8 AM
5h 42m
10 AM
5h 24m
12 PM
5h 22m
3 PM
5h 26m
5 PM
5h 41m
8 PM
5h 7m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Miami-Dade County, Florida

Florida City, FL

Wikimedia Commons

city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States

St. Petersburg, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 284-mile journey from Florida City, FL to St. Petersburg, FL will take approximately 4 hours and 16 minutes of driving time. Designed as a single-day trip, it's a local drive that primarily uses Southwest 344th Street, Dixie Highway, and roads within Miami before heading toward your destination. With a fuel cost estimated around $47, this route offers a straightforward way to travel across Florida. The drive involves frequent turns, making it a more engaging experience than a typical highway cruise. You'll be staying within the state of Florida for the entirety of this trip, traversing familiar terrain.

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

140 miles from Florida City, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 40m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Alligator Alley 203.5 mi 3h 38m
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike 34.8 mi 41m
Okeechobee Road 17.6 mi 22m
Sunshine Skyway Bridge 14.3 mi 16m
I 275 5.7 mi 7m
Southwest 344th Street 0.5 mi 1m
31st Street South 0.4 mi <1m
34th Street South 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Alligator Alley — 203.5 mi, about 3h 38m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Florida City, FL and St. Petersburg, FL.

1

Start on FL 9336

508 ft · 19 sec · Southwest 344th Street
2

Continue on FL 9336

0.4 mi · 1 min · Southwest 344th Street
Use the left lane.
3

Turn left onto US 1

0.2 mi · 27 sec · Dixie Highway
Use the left lane.
4

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec
Toward Miami, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North Use the straight / right lanes.
5

Continue on Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike

13 mi · 15 min · Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Toward Miami, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Keep slight right at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike

3.6 mi · 4 min · Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight left at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike

2.5 mi · 3 min · Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight right at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike

16 mi · 17 min · Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Exit 35 Toward US 27: Okeechobee Road Use the right lane.
10

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 15 sec
Toward US 27: Okeechobee Road
11

Merge onto US 27

18 mi · 22 min · Okeechobee Road
Use the right lane.
12

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Toward I 75: Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Naples
13

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min
Toward I 75 North: Naples
14

Merge onto I 75

203 mi · 3 hr 38 min · Alligator Alley
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit onto I 275

5.7 mi · 7 min · I 275
Exit 228 Toward I 275 North: Saint Petersburg Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 19 sec
17

Merge onto I 275; US 19

14 mi · 16 min · Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 39 sec
Exit 20 Toward 31st Street South Use the slight left lane.
19

Keep slight left at fork

161 ft · 9 sec
Toward Winery, Treasure Island, Tropicana Field
20

Turn left onto 31st Street South

0.4 mi · 58 sec · 31st Street South
21

Turn left onto 5th Avenue South

0.2 mi · 39 sec · 5th Avenue South
22

Turn right onto US 19

0.3 mi · 40 sec · 34th Street South
23

Arrive at destination

US 19

Trip Plan

Given the 4-hour 16-minute duration and the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, starting your trip in the morning is advisable to avoid potential rush hour congestion in Miami. With only one recommended stop and a flexible 284-mile distance, you can easily adjust your pace. Keep an eye on your navigation as the route involves numerous turns, especially through urban areas. The estimated fuel cost of $47 is a good budget point, and since you're staying within Florida, rest stops should be plentiful, but plan for them strategically between the more complex road sections.

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 140 miles from Florida City, FL, or about 2h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 203.5 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 62 miles or 1h 16m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 140 miles or 2h 40m 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 16m

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 Florida 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 Florida City, FL

This is one driving day of about 280 miles and 5h 14m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Florida 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 Alligator Alley for about 203.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Lee County, Florida, USA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bonita Springs, FL

140 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

Sunshine Ranches, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 62 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Cape Coral, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 140 miles from Florida City, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Alligator Alley if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 203.5 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Bandit Coffee Co.

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

St. Petersburg, Florida

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 284.2

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

Visit website

Paradeco Coffee Roasters

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

St. Petersburg, Florida

2.8 mi

Top Coffee Stop

The Under Grounds Coffee Co

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

St. Petersburg, Florida

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 284.2

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+17272703739

Visit website

Bad Mother

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

St. Petersburg, Florida

2.6 mi

Bandit Coffee Co.

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 284.2

St. Petersburg, Florida

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

Visit website

Paradeco Coffee Roasters

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 284.2

St. Petersburg, Florida

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+17272226458

Visit website

Schnebly Redland's Winery & Brewery

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour Moderately

Homestead, Florida

Hours: 12–5 pm

+13052421224

Visit website

The Under Grounds Coffee Co

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 284.2

St. Petersburg, Florida

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+17272703739

Visit website

Bad Mother

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 284.2

St. Petersburg, Florida

Hours: 7:30 am–4 pm

Visit website

Grove Surf + Coffee | Coffee St. Pete Beach

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 284.2

St Pete Beach, Florida

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+17272893634

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 203

Punta Gorda, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Mercedes-Benz High-Power Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 162.4

Fort Myers, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18555023851

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 284.2

St. Petersburg, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 223.3

Venice, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 203

Port Charlotte, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 162.4

Fort Myers, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Electric Era Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 223.3

Venice, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18884092980

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 223.3

Venice, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tours in the Glades

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0 mi from route

Florida City, Florida

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+12392604577

Visit website

FloridaRAMA

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 284.2

St. Petersburg, Florida

Hours: 12–3:30 pm

+17272105450

Visit website

Big Cat Habitat

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 243.6

Sarasota, Florida

Hours: 12–4 pm

+19413716377

Visit website

Sun-N-Fun Lagoon

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 142.1

Naples, Florida

Hours: Closed

+12392524021

Visit website

Morean Arts Center

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 284.2

St. Petersburg, Florida

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+17278227872

Visit website

Pier Dolphin Cruises

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 284.2

St. Petersburg, Florida

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+17276471538

Visit website

The Dalí Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour Moderately mile 284.2

St. Petersburg, Florida

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+17278233767

Visit website

South Straub Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 284.2

St. Petersburg, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+17278937441

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 21

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 279 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
0.7 mi into trip | ~1m in

Take the exit toward Miami, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / right lanes. Toward Miami, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North
7
35.8 mi into trip | ~43m in

Take the exit toward US 27: Okeechobee Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Exit 35 Toward US 27: Okeechobee Road
7
258.4 mi into trip | ~4h 47m 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
278.7 mi into trip | ~5h 11m 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
279 mi into trip | ~5h 12m 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

$44.57 one way

$89.14 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 98 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.40 $48.48 $96.96
premium $4.72 $52.06 $104.13
diesel $5.61 $61.82 $123.64

Estimated Tolls: $3.09

Homestead Extension (34.8 mi) $2.09
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

$45

Tolls

$3

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$73–$98

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 98 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 84 1 $29.40 $13.44
Efficient EV 70 0 $24.50 $11.20
EV Truck/SUV 112 1 $39.20 $17.92

Gas CO2

98 kg

EV CO2

33 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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Florida City, FL

Afternoon in Florida City on Sunday

Local time

12:43 PM

EDT

Current temp

67°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

St. Petersburg, FL

Afternoon in St. Petersburg on Sunday

Local time

12:43 PM

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

19 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

5h 14m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for this 284-mile route, with 0% highway share. This means you'll be navigating a series of local roads and city streets for the majority of your travel. The drive will likely feel less about sustained speed and more about managing your way through various intersections and urban environments. While there's no longest uninterrupted stretch specified, the profile suggests you'll be making frequent adjustments to your steering and speed, keeping you actively engaged behind the wheel throughout the 4-hour-plus journey.

Only 14% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 203.5 mi on Alligator Alley.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in.

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 21 significant decision points across 280 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 0.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 258.4 miles (I 275): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Florida City, FL and St. Petersburg, FL, road signs point toward Fort Lauderdale and Naples.

Fort Lauderdale

53.8 mi in | ~1h 7m

Naples

53.8 mi in | ~1h 7m

About the Cities

Starting in Florida City, FL

Full guide →

Florida City is a city in Florida. It is one of the southernmost cities in the contiguous 48.

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 5h 14m. Total distance: 280 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 203.5 miles on Alligator Alley. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $3.09 in tolls one way, starting with Homestead Extension. 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 0.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 258.4 miles (I 275): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.5 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.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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