Connecting the Atlantic coast to the Gulf side, this 193.5-mile journey from Jupiter to St. Petersburg is a straightforward trek across the Florida peninsula. Expect to spend about 4 hours and 15 minutes behind the wheel, making it a perfectly manageable day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via I-95, SR 70, and FL 70 to bridge the two regions. With fuel costs estimated at around $32, the route remains an affordable way to transition from the oceanfront to the bay. Whether you are chasing the sunset or heading to the west coast for business, the drive is efficient and functional for any traveler.
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
96.8 miles from Jupiter, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 7m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
FL 70
65.3 mi
1h 26m
SR 70
32.9 mi
45m
I 95
22.6 mi
24m
Southwest Martin Highway
18 mi
26m
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
14.3 mi
16m
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 Jupiter, FL and St. Petersburg, FL.
1
Start on FL 706
3.1 mi·5 min·West Indiantown Road
Use the left lane.
2
Take the ramp
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 North: Daytona Beach
3
Merge onto I 95
23 mi·24 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
To make the most of your 4-hour and 15-minute travel time, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Since the route is heavily weighted toward highway driving, try to depart early in the morning to avoid the peak congestion often found on major Florida arteries. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the long 65.3-mile stretch on FL 70, as service intervals can vary compared to the more frequent stops found on I-95. Because the entire trip is achievable in a single day, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure to best suit your personal itinerary. Taking a moment to plan your refueling stop before hitting the open road will help keep your $32 budget 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 96.8 miles from Jupiter, FL, or about 2h 7m 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 43 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 96.8 miles or 2h 7m 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 33m
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 Jupiter, 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 Jupiter, FL
This is one driving day of about 193.5 miles and 4h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Jupiter, 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 26.5 and 192.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
26.5 mi into trip|~31m 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
161.5 mi into trip|~3h 37m 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
171.9 mi into trip|~3h 48m 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
192.2 mi into trip|~4h 12m 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
192.5 mi into trip|~4h 13m 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
$30.80 one way
$61.60 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg68 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$33.50
$67.01
premium
$4.72
$35.98
$71.96
diesel
$5.61
$42.72
$85.44
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
$31
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67.7 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
58.1
0
$20.32
$9.29
Efficient EV
48.4
0
$16.93
$7.74
EV Truck/SUV
77.4
0
$27.09
$12.38
Gas CO2
68 kg
EV CO2
23 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 13, 2026
Origin
Jupiter, FL
Late night
in Jupiter on Sunday
Local time
12:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Sunny
E 16 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 13 at 3:09AM EDT until April 14 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 13 at 2:00AM EDT until April 14 at 5:00AM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Destination
St. Petersburg, FL
Late night
in St. Petersburg on Sunday
Local time
12:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Mostly Sunny
E 9 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 13 at 3:09AM EDT until April 14 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 13 at 2:00AM EDT until April 14 at 5:00AM 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
11 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 15m 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 180.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip features a highway-focused profile, with approximately 70% of your time spent on high-speed roads. You will find yourself navigating a mix of interstate transit and state highway stretches, providing a consistent pace throughout the journey. The drive includes a notable 65.3-mile longest stretch on FL 70, which serves as the backbone of your cross-state movement. Because the route relies heavily on major thoroughfares, you can expect a predictable experience that prioritizes speed over technical maneuvering. It is a practical, no-nonsense drive that transitions from the coastal infrastructure of the east to the central corridors of the state.
70% 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 26.5 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 18 significant decision points across 193.5 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 26.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 161.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 171.9 miles (I 275): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
86 ft7 ft
Total Climb
142 ft
Total Descent
107 ft
Highest Point
86 ft
~96.8 mi in
Elevation Range
78 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 Jupiter, FL to St. Petersburg, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Cr 714: Martin Highway along the way.
Cr 714: Martin Highway
26.5 mi in|~31m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 15m. Total distance: 193.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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 26.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 161.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 171.9 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 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at St. Petersburg, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
