Origin
Key Largo, FL
Late night in Key Largo on Tuesday
Local time
5:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Key Largo, FL to St. Petersburg, FL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 55m
Distance
308 mi
496 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$49
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 43m
★
6 AM
5h 56m
8 AM
6h 22m
10 AM
6h 5m
12 PM
6h 2m
3 PM
6h 6m
5 PM
6h 21m
8 PM
5h 48m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Key Largo, FL
Wikimedia Commons
St. Petersburg, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Key Largo to St. Petersburg is 308 miles and takes about 5 hours 55 minutes via Alligator Alley and Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $49 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive connects two points within Florida, generally sticking to surface roads for a significant portion of the trip. Expect a travel experience that's more about the transition across the state than dramatic scenery changes. It's a practical route for getting from the Keys area to the Gulf Coast, best suited for a single day of travel.
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
154 miles from Key Largo, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 6m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Alligator Alley | 203.5 mi | 3h 38m |
| Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike | 34.8 mi | 41m |
| Dixie Highway | 19.4 mi | 26m |
| Okeechobee Road | 17.6 mi | 22m |
| Sunshine Skyway Bridge | 14.3 mi | 16m |
| Overseas Highway | 9.3 mi | 15m |
| I 275 | 5.7 mi | 7m |
| 31st Street South | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Alligator Alley
— 203.5 mi, about 3h 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Key Largo, FL and St. Petersburg, FL.
1
Start on Harbor Drive
308 ft
·
15 sec
·
Harbor Drive
2
Turn right onto US 1
9.3 mi
·
15 min
·
Overseas Highway
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on US 1
19 mi
·
26 min
·
Dixie Highway
Use the straight lane.
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward Miami, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Continue on Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
13 mi
·
15 min
·
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Toward Miami, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
16 mi
·
17 min
·
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 35
Toward US 27: Okeechobee Road
Use the right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Toward US 27: Okeechobee Road
11
Merge onto US 27
18 mi
·
22 min
·
Okeechobee Road
Use the right lane.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 75: Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Naples
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 75 North: Naples
14
Merge onto I 75
203 mi
·
3 hr 38 min
·
Alligator Alley
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit onto I 275
5.7 mi
·
7 min
·
I 275
Exit 228
Toward I 275 North: Saint Petersburg
Use 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 20
Toward 31st Street South
Use 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
Given the 5 hour 55 minute estimated drive time and 308-mile distance, starting in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $49, this trip is manageable in a single day. The predominantly surface road profile means you should anticipate more frequent stops for traffic lights and local traffic, especially as you approach your destination. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch on a highway is over 200 miles, but the overall profile suggests more frequent opportunities for refueling on surface roads.
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 154 miles from Key Largo, FL, or about 3h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 203.5 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 68 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 154 miles or 3h 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 4h 52m
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 Key Largo, 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 Key Largo, FL
This is one driving day of about 308 miles and 5h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from Key Largo, 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 Alligator Alley for about 203.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
154 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 68 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 154 miles from Key Largo, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Alligator Alley if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 203.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 205 decision points cluster between mile 28.7 and 307 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
28.7 mi into trip
|
~42m in
Take the exit toward Miami, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward Miami, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North
7
63.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 24m in
Take the exit toward US 27: Okeechobee Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 35
Toward US 27: Okeechobee Road
7
286.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 28m 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
306.7 mi into trip
|
~5h 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
307 mi into trip
|
~5h 53m 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
$49.03 one way
$98.05 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
108 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $53.33 | $106.66 |
| premium | $4.72 | $57.27 | $114.54 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $68.00 | $136.01 |
Estimated Tolls: $3.09
Homestead Extension
(34.8 mi)
$2.09
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
$49
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 92.4 | 1 | $32.34 | $14.78 |
| Efficient EV | 77 | 0 | $26.95 | $12.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 123.2 | 1 | $43.12 | $19.71 |
Gas CO2
108 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (67% 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.
Destination
St. Petersburg, FL
Late night in St. Petersburg on Tuesday
Local time
5:32 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
5 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 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.
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...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 297.4
View on nps.gov
Biscayne National Park
National Park
Within sight of Miami, yet worlds away, Biscayne protects a rare combination of aquamarine waters, emerald islands, and fish-bejeweled coral reefs. Evidence of 10,000 years of human history is here to...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 42.5
View on nps.gov
Everglades National Park
National Park
Established in 1947 as the first national park created for its biodiversity, Everglades National Park protects 1.5 million acres of wetland, forest, and marine habitats and the native plants and anima...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
$35
near mile 21.2
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive has a relatively low highway share at 13%, meaning you'll spend most of your time on surface roads. The longest contiguous stretch on a highway is 203.5 miles on Alligator Alley. After this segment, expect frequent intersections and lower speed limits as you transition to Dixie Highway. The overall profile suggests a route with numerous opportunities to interact with local traffic and road conditions.
Only 13% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 203.5 mi on Alligator Alley.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 28.7 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 20 significant decision points across 308 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 28.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 63.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 286.4 miles (I 275): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Key Largo, FL and St. Petersburg, FL, road signs point toward Miami, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North, Fort Lauderdale and Naples.
Miami
28.7 mi in
|
~42m
Orlando
28.7 mi in
|
~42m
Florida's Turnpike North
28.7 mi in
|
~42m
Fort Lauderdale
81.9 mi in
|
~1h 48m
Naples
81.9 mi in
|
~1h 48m
About the Cities
Arriving in St. Petersburg, FL
Full guide →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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 55m. Total distance: 308 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 203.5 miles on Alligator Alley. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.09 in tolls one way, starting with Homestead Extension. 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 28.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 63.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 286.4 miles (I 275): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — De Soto National Memorial, Biscayne National Park and Everglades National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.9 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.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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