Hilliard to St. Petersburg is 234.4 miles and takes about 4h 44m via I 75, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip keeps you within Florida, moving from the northern part of the state down towards the Gulf Coast. The drive is primarily on major highways, making it a straightforward option for a single-day excursion. With a recommended one-day pace, you can expect a relatively quick transit between these two points without extensive overnight planning.
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
117.2 miles from Hilliard, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
82.7 mi
1h 28m
1st Avenue
59.1 mi
1h 16m
Sid Martin Highway
39 mi
48m
I 275
37.6 mi
45m
Kings Road
10.9 mi
14m
Northwest 70th Street
1.5 mi
2m
Northwest 77th Street
1.2 mi
2m
5th Avenue North
1.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 82.7 mi, about 1h 28m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 26 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,814 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,501
Quietest
2 AM
~310 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.1×
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 Hilliard, FL and St. Petersburg, FL.
1
Start on CR 108
135 ft·10 sec·CR 108
2
Turn left onto US 1; US 23; US 301
11 mi·14 min·Kings Road
3
Turn right onto US 301
59 mi·1 hr 16 min·1st Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
Keep slight left at fork onto US 301
39 mi·48 min·Sid Martin Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
Turn right onto FL 326
1.5 mi·2 min·Northwest 70th Street
Use the right lane.
6
Continue on FL 326
1.2 mi·2 min·Northwest 77th Street
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 75 South: Tampa
8
Merge onto I 75
83 mi·1 hr 28 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 275
38 mi·45 min·I 275
Exit 274Toward I 275 South: Tampa, Saint PetersburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 23BToward FL 595: Treasure Island, Florida Orange Groves WineryUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn right onto FL 595
1.2 mi·2 min·5th Avenue North
12
Turn left onto US 19
0.5 mi·1 min·34th Street North
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on US 19
323 ft·14 sec·34th Street South
14
Arrive at destination
US 19
Trip Plan
For this 4h 44m drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight, especially since it's recommended as a one-day trip. With only one stop suggested, you can be flexible with your timing, perhaps pausing for a break around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $37, and it’s always wise to top off before entering longer stretches. Since you're staying within Florida, you won't need to worry about state-specific regulations, but be aware of potential traffic patterns as you get closer to St. Petersburg.
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 117.2 miles from Hilliard, FL, or about 2h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.7 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 52 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117.2 miles or 2h 30m 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 50m
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 Hilliard, 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 Hilliard, FL
This is one driving day of about 234.4 miles and 4h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Hilliard, 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 82.7 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 10.9 and 232.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
10.9 mi into trip|~14m in|US 301 / 1st Avenue
Turn right onto US 301 / 1st Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
70 mi into trip|~1h 30m in|US 301 / Sid Martin Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 301 / Sid Martin Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
109 mi into trip|~2h 19m in|FL 326 / Northwest 70th Street
Turn right onto FL 326 / Northwest 70th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
9
194.8 mi into trip|~3h 53m in|I 275
Keep slight right at fork onto I 275 toward I 275 South: Tampa, Saint Petersburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 274
Toward I 275 South: Tampa, Saint Petersburg
8
232.4 mi into trip|~4h 39m 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
$35.48 one way
$70.97 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg82 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$38.93
$77.87
premium
$4.55
$41.99
$83.98
diesel
$4.80
$44.26
$88.52
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70.3
0
$24.61
$11.25
Efficient EV
58.6
0
$20.51
$9.38
EV Truck/SUV
93.8
1
$32.82
$15.00
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
27 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
Hilliard, FL
Morning
in Hilliard on Sunday
Local time
6:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
95°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 7 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Destination
St. Petersburg, FL
Morning
in St. Petersburg on Sunday
Local time
6:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
S 13 mph69% chanceLive 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
6 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 44m 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 234.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is a mixed highway and surface road experience, with 51% of it on highways. You'll spend about 82.7 miles on I 75, which is the longest stretch without a significant change in road type. Expect to transition from highway cruising to surface roads as you approach your destination, which can mean more local traffic and varied speed limits.
51% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 82.7 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 10.9 miles in near US 301 / 1st Avenue.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 234.4 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 10.9 miles (US 301 / 1st Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 70 miles (US 301 / Sid Martin Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 109 miles (FL 326 / Northwest 70th Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
160 ft6 ft
Total Climb
183 ft
Total Descent
202 ft
Highest Point
160 ft
~50.2 mi in
Elevation Range
153 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Hilliard, FL to St. Petersburg, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Petersburg along the way.
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 44m. Total distance: 234.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 82.7 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 10.9 miles (US 301 / 1st Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 70 miles (US 301 / Sid Martin Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 109 miles (FL 326 / Northwest 70th Street): 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 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at St. Petersburg, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
