Spanning 221.9 miles across Florida, this cross-state journey from Highland Beach to St. Petersburg typically takes about 4 hours and 55 minutes. You will primarily navigate via FL 70, Southwest Warfield Boulevard, and SR 70, making this a straightforward drive that is easily manageable as a single-day trip. Expect to budget roughly $37 for fuel to complete the transit. While you are crossing from one coast to the other, the route remains focused on highway travel rather than winding local backroads. It is a practical connection between regions, perfect for travelers who prefer a direct path without the need for an overnight split.
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
111 miles from Highland Beach, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 28m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
FL 70
65.3 mi
1h 26m
Southwest Warfield Boulevard
33.1 mi
44m
SR 70
32.9 mi
45m
I 95
23.9 mi
27m
Bee Line Highway
20.1 mi
26m
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
14.3 mi
16m
I 75
9.9 mi
10m
East Hickory Street
8.4 mi
12m
Longest stretch:
FL 70
— 65.3 mi, about 1h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Highland Beach, FL and St. Petersburg, FL.
1
Start on SR A1A
2.8 mi·6 min·South Ocean Boulevard
2
Turn left onto East Linton Boulevard
1.5 mi·2 min·East Linton Boulevard
Use the left lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·51 sec
Toward I 95 North: West Palm Beach
4
Merge onto I 95
24 mi·27 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Exit 76Toward FL 708: Blue Heron BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Turn straight onto FL 708
0.9 mi·1 min·West Blue Heron Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on FL 710
20 mi·26 min·Bee Line Highway
8
Continue on FL 710
33 mi·44 min·Southwest Warfield Boulevard
9
Merge onto FL 70
65 mi·1 hr 26 min·FL 70
10
Turn straight onto FL 70
8.4 mi·12 min·East Hickory Street
11
Continue on SR 70
33 mi·45 min·SR 70
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward I 75
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·45 sec
Toward I 75 North: TampaUse the right lane.
14
Merge onto I 75
9.9 mi·10 min·I 75
15
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.
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 20Toward 31st Street SouthUse 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
To make the most of your 4-hour and 55-minute journey, plan for at least one stop to break up the drive and stay refreshed. Since this is a single-day trip, leaving early in the morning allows you to avoid peak traffic congestion and reach your destination with plenty of daylight to spare. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the 65.3-mile stretch on FL 70, as service availability can fluctuate along these longer highway segments. Because the route is relatively compact, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace or stop whenever you feel the need for a break. Prioritizing consistent progress will ensure you arrive in St. Petersburg feeling comfortable and ready for your next plans.
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 111 miles from Highland Beach, FL, or about 2h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65.3 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 49 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 111 miles or 2h 28m 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 5m
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 Highland Beach, 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 Highland Beach, FL
This is one driving day of about 221.9 miles and 4h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Highland Beach, 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 FL 70 for about 65.3 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 28.6 and 220.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
28.6 mi into trip|~37m in
Take the exit toward FL 708: Blue Heron Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 76
Toward FL 708: Blue Heron Boulevard
7
189.9 mi into trip|~4h 16m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 75 North: Tampa
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 75 North: Tampa
7
200.3 mi into trip|~4h 27m 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
220.6 mi into trip|~4h 52m 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
220.9 mi into trip|~4h 52m 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
$35.32 one way
$70.64 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg78 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$38.42
$76.84
premium
$4.72
$41.26
$82.52
diesel
$5.61
$48.99
$97.99
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
$35
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66.6
0
$23.30
$10.65
Efficient EV
55.5
0
$19.42
$8.88
EV Truck/SUV
88.8
1
$31.07
$14.20
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 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 14, 2026
Origin
Highland Beach, FL
Morning
in Highland Beach on Sunday
Local time
6:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
St. Petersburg, FL
Morning
in St. Petersburg on Sunday
Local time
6:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Mostly Clear
NE 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 14 at 4:28PM EDT until April 16 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 14 at 12:29PM EDT until April 15 at 2:00AM 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
4 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 55m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is defined by a highway-focused profile, with 62% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will settle into a steady rhythm on the road, particularly during the longest uninterrupted stretch of 65.3 miles on FL 70. The character of the drive is consistent, offering a reliable pace that helps you cover the distance efficiently. Expect a balance of fast-moving highway segments that transition into the local road networks as you approach the St. Petersburg area. It is a straightforward experience behind the wheel that prioritizes steady progress over technical maneuvering.
62% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 65.3 mi on FL 70.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on FL 70 and Southwest Warfield Boulevard. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 28.6 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 17 significant decision points across 221.9 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 28.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 189.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 200.3 miles (I 275): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
82 ft6 ft
Total Climb
137 ft
Total Descent
100 ft
Highest Point
82 ft
~126.8 mi in
Elevation Range
77 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 55m. Total distance: 221.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 65.3 miles on FL 70. 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 28.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 189.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 200.3 miles (I 275): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
