Traveling from Hobe Sound to St. Petersburg covers 187.2 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 10 minutes behind the wheel. Because this journey is easily manageable in a single day, there is no need to book an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. You should budget approximately $31 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. The route primarily utilizes FL 70, SR 70, and Southwest Martin Highway to transition across the Florida peninsula. Since you are crossing from the Atlantic coast toward the Gulf side, expect the landscape to shift as you move inland and eventually reach the coast again. It is a straightforward trek that works perfectly for a direct transit between these two distinct Florida regions.
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
93.6 miles from Hobe Sound, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
FL 70
65.3 mi
1h 26m
SR 70
32.9 mi
45m
Southwest Martin Highway
18 mi
26m
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
14.3 mi
16m
I 95
13.4 mi
14m
I 75
9.9 mi
10m
Southwest Warfield Boulevard
9.8 mi
13m
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 Hobe Sound, FL and St. Petersburg, FL.
1
Start on CR 708
6.2 mi·10 min·Southeast Bridge Road
2
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 North: Daytona Beach
3
Merge onto I 95
13 mi·14 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Exit 110Toward FL 714, CR 714: Martin Highway
5
Keep slight left at fork
189 ft·6 sec
Toward FL 714: Martin Highway
6
Turn left onto FL 714
18 mi·26 min·Southwest Martin Highway
7
At end of road, turn right onto FL 710
9.8 mi·13 min·Southwest Warfield Boulevard
8
Merge onto FL 70
65 mi·1 hr 26 min·FL 70
9
Turn straight onto FL 70
8.4 mi·12 min·East Hickory Street
10
Continue on SR 70
33 mi·45 min·SR 70
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward I 75
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·45 sec
Toward I 75 North: TampaUse the right lane.
13
Merge onto I 75
9.9 mi·10 min·I 75
14
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.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·19 sec
16
Merge onto I 275; US 19
14 mi·16 min·Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Exit 20Toward 31st Street SouthUse the slight left lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork
161 ft·9 sec
Toward Winery, Treasure Island, Tropicana Field
19
Turn left onto 31st Street South
0.4 mi·58 sec·31st Street South
20
Turn left onto 5th Avenue South
0.2 mi·39 sec·5th Avenue South
21
Turn right onto US 19
0.3 mi·40 sec·34th Street South
22
Arrive at destination
US 19
Trip Plan
Since the trip takes roughly 4 hours, aim to depart early in the morning to avoid midday traffic congestion. You only need one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel, which fits perfectly into the 187.2-mile distance. Keep your $31 fuel estimate in mind, but always check local prices near the highway transitions to avoid overpaying. Because this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your schedule based on your arrival needs in St. Petersburg. A specific tip for this route: pay close attention to the transition points between Southwest Martin Highway and FL 70, as these junctions are critical for maintaining your pace and staying on track.
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 93.6 miles from Hobe Sound, FL, or about 2h 6m 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 41 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 93.6 miles or 2h 6m 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 29m
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 Hobe Sound, 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 Hobe Sound, FL
This is one driving day of about 187.2 miles and 4h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Hobe Sound, 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 20.2 and 186.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
20.2 mi into trip|~26m in
Take the exit toward FL 714, CR 714: Martin Highway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 110
Toward FL 714, CR 714: Martin Highway
7
155.1 mi into trip|~3h 31m 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
165.6 mi into trip|~3h 43m 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
185.9 mi into trip|~4h 7m 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
186.2 mi into trip|~4h 8m 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
$29.80 one way
$59.59 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg66 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$32.41
$64.83
premium
$4.72
$34.81
$69.62
diesel
$5.61
$41.33
$82.66
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
$30
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 65.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
56.2
0
$19.66
$8.99
Efficient EV
46.8
0
$16.38
$7.49
EV Truck/SUV
74.9
0
$26.21
$11.98
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Hobe Sound, FL
Morning
in Hobe Sound on Sunday
Local time
6:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
St. Petersburg, FL
Morning
in St. Petersburg on Sunday
Local time
6:35 AM
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
20 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
4h 10m 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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 174.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 68% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will find that the roads keep you moving steadily, highlighted by a longest uninterrupted stretch of 65.3 miles along FL 70. The character of the drive is functional and efficient, prioritizing speed over technical or winding backroads. While you will experience some variety as you switch between SR 70 and local highways, the experience remains consistent for the duration of the 4-hour trek. Staying focused is key during the longer highway segments, as the road conditions remain relatively predictable throughout the journey.
68% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 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 SR 70. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 20.2 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 187.2 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 20.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 155.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 165.6 miles (I 275): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
141 ft19 ft
Total Climb
138 ft
Total Descent
115 ft
Highest Point
141 ft
~85.8 mi in
Elevation Range
122 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 Hobe Sound, FL to St. Petersburg, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Cr 714: Martin Highway along the way.
Cr 714: Martin Highway
20.2 mi in|~26m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 10m. Total distance: 187.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 10m 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 20.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 155.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 165.6 miles (I 275): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.4 hours — manageable with a long break at St. Petersburg, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
