Havana to St. Petersburg is 278.6 miles and takes about 5h 47m via US 19 and Suncoast Parkway, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, transitioning from the Panhandle region down towards the Gulf Coast. With over 90% of the route on highways, expect a fairly direct and efficient drive. This is a solid option if you're looking for a straightforward, same-day trip without too many deviations.
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
139.3 miles from Havana, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 19
110.2 mi
2h 19m
Suncoast Parkway
54.3 mi
58m
Florida Georgia Parkway
37.2 mi
47m
I 10
25.3 mi
27m
I 275
15.4 mi
18m
Florida-Georgia Highway
12.6 mi
19m
Veterans Expressway
6.9 mi
8m
FL 589 Toll Express Lane
5.3 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
US 19
— 110.2 mi, about 2h 19m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~3,045 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~221 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
13.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 49 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 Havana, FL and St. Petersburg, FL.
1
Start on CR 12A
212 ft·13 sec·9th Avenue East
2
Turn left onto US 27
0.4 mi·49 sec·South Main Street
3
Continue on US 27
13 mi·19 min·Florida-Georgia Highway
Use the right lane.
4
Continue on US 27
246 ft·9 sec·North Monroe Street
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·53 sec
Toward I 10 East: Lake CityUse the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto I 10
25 mi·27 min·I 10
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Exit 225Toward US 19: Florida-Georgia Parkway, Monticello, Perry
8
Turn right onto US 19
4.7 mi·6 min·Florida Georgia Parkway
9
At end of road, turn left onto US 19; US 27
32 mi·41 min·Florida Georgia Parkway
10
Continue on US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate
55 mi·1 hr 8 min·US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate
11
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.
12
Turn left onto FL 44
0.9 mi·1 min·Northeast 5th Street
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on FL 44
4.7 mi·7 min·Gulf to Lake Highway
14
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward FL 589 Toll: Suncoast Parkway
15
Merge onto FL 589 Toll
54 mi·58 min·Suncoast Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto FL 589 Toll
1.6 mi·1 min·Veterans Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto FL 589 Toll
3.9 mi·4 min·Veterans Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 589 Toll
5.3 mi·6 min·FL 589 Toll Express Lane
19
Merge onto FL 589 Toll
1.5 mi·2 min·Veterans Expressway
Toward Tampa:St. PetersburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on FL 60
0.2 mi·13 sec·Memorial Highway
Toward FL 60: Tampa, St. Petersburg
21
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.
22
Take the exit
1.0 mi·2 min
Toward I 275 South: Saint PetersburgUse the slight right lane.
23
Merge onto I 275
15 mi·18 min·I 275
Toward I 275: Saint PetersburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 23BToward FL 595: Treasure Island, Florida Orange Groves WineryUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Turn right onto FL 595
1.2 mi·2 min·5th Avenue North
26
Turn left onto US 19
0.5 mi·1 min·34th Street North
Use the left lane.
27
Continue on US 19
323 ft·14 sec·34th Street South
28
Arrive at destination
US 19
Trip Plan
Aim to depart Havana in the morning to make the most of the daylight for your 5-hour drive. Since this trip is manageable in a single day, you have flexibility with your timing. The longest stretch without a major road change is over 110 miles on US 19, so plan your fuel stops accordingly before entering that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach the destination, as services can vary.
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 139.3 miles from Havana, FL, or about 2h 56m 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 61 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.3 miles or 2h 56m 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 45m
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 Havana, 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 Havana, FL
This is one driving day of about 278.6 miles and 5h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Havana, 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 38.7 and 276.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
38.7 mi into trip|~49m 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
131.2 mi into trip|~2h 46m 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
248.3 mi into trip|~5h 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.
8
259.1 mi into trip|~5h 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
8
276.6 mi into trip|~5h 42m 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
$42.17 one way
$84.35 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg98 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$46.28
$92.55
premium
$4.55
$49.91
$99.81
diesel
$4.80
$52.60
$105.21
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
$42
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
83.6
1
$29.25
$13.37
Efficient EV
69.7
0
$24.38
$11.14
EV Truck/SUV
111.4
1
$39.00
$17.83
Gas CO2
97 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Havana, FL
Late night
in Havana on Tuesday
Local time
5:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
0 mph32% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 17 at 9:53PM EDT until July 17 at 11:15PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
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 Tuesday
Local time
5:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
ESE 3 mph29% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 17 at 9:53PM EDT until July 17 at 11:15PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
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
1 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 47m 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...
17 mi from route
~43 min detour
Free
near mile 278.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on highways for about 91% of this 278.6-mile drive. The longest continuous stretch on a main road is 110.2 miles along US 19. The route uses US 19, the Suncoast Parkway, and the Florida Georgia Parkway. Expect mostly highway cruising until you transition to surface roads closer to your destination.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 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 Suncoast Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 38.7 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 19 significant decision points across 278.6 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 38.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 131.2 miles (US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 248.3 miles (FL 589 Toll / Veterans Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
237 ft14 ft
Total Climb
89 ft
Total Descent
283 ft
Highest Point
237 ft
Elevation Range
223 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Havana, 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 5h 47m. Total distance: 278.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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 1 rest area or service plaza 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 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 38.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 131.2 miles (US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 248.3 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 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.6 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.
