10370
0 mi from route
Trip from Lake Lucerne, FL to St. Petersburg, FL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 37m
Distance
249.7 mi
402 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 24m
★
6 AM
4h 37m
8 AM
5h 4m
10 AM
4h 46m
12 PM
4h 44m
3 PM
4h 48m
5 PM
5h 3m
8 PM
4h 29m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lake Lucerne, FL
Matt Fitz Gibaud
St. Petersburg, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Lake Lucerne to St. Petersburg is 249.7 miles and takes about 4h 37m via I-75 and the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip primarily stays within Florida, taking you from central Florida towards the Gulf Coast. The majority of the drive is on major highways, making it a straightforward connection. With just one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion if you're looking to reach St. Petersburg efficiently.
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
124.9 miles from Lake Lucerne, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 18m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 219.8 mi | 3h 55m |
| Sunshine Skyway Bridge | 14.3 mi | 16m |
| I 275 | 5.7 mi | 7m |
| Miramar Parkway | 3.3 mi | 5m |
| Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike | 2.3 mi | 2m |
| Northwest 27th Avenue | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| 31st Street South | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Red Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 219.8 mi, about 3h 55m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 124 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,628 veh/hr typical · worst 4,277
Quietest
2 AM
~215 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Lake Lucerne, FL and St. Petersburg, FL.
1
Start on Northwest 208th Street
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
Northwest 208th Street
2
Turn left onto Northwest 25th Avenue
253 ft
·
13 sec
·
Northwest 25th Avenue
3
Turn right onto Northwest 207th Street
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Northwest 207th Street
4
Turn right onto SR 817
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
Northwest 27th Avenue
Use the right lane.
5
Continue on SR 817
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
South University Drive
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on this road
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
this road
8
Merge onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 43
Toward SR 823: Red Road, Northwest 57th Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
281 ft
·
8 sec
Toward SR 823 North: Red Road, Miramar Pembroke Pines
Use the right lane.
11
Merge onto SR 823
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
Red Road
Use the right lane.
12
Turn left onto CR 858
3.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Miramar Parkway
Use the left lane.
13
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 75 North: Naples
Use the right lane.
14
Merge onto I 75
9.0 mi
·
9 min
·
I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
211 mi
·
3 hr 45 min
·
I 75
Toward Alligator Alley, Naples
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
16
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.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
18
Merge onto I 275; US 19
14 mi
·
16 min
·
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 20
Toward 31st Street South
Use the slight left lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork
161 ft
·
9 sec
Toward Winery, Treasure Island, Tropicana Field
21
Turn left onto 31st Street South
0.4 mi
·
58 sec
·
31st Street South
22
Turn left onto 5th Avenue South
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
5th Avenue South
23
Turn right onto US 19
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
34th Street South
24
Arrive at destination
US 19
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 37m estimated drive time, leaving in the morning will allow you to reach St. Petersburg well before evening. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility with your departure time. The route has only one suggested stop, so plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or when you need to refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 219.8-mile stretch on I-75, as services can be spaced out on longer highway segments. The estimated fuel cost of $43 is a good budget starting point.
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 124.9 miles from Lake Lucerne, FL, or about 2h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 219.8 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 55 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.9 miles or 2h 18m 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 44m
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 Lake Lucerne, 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 Lake Lucerne, FL
This is one driving day of about 249.7 miles and 4h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Lake Lucerne, 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 219.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
125 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 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 124.9 miles from Lake Lucerne, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 219.8 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
10270
0.1 mi from route
Collier County Rest Area Southbound
0.1 mi from route
Charlotte County Truck Stop Northbound
0.1 mi from route
70360
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Collier County Rest Area Southbound
0.2 mi from route
Big Cypress National Preserve Access Area Northbound
0.2 mi from route
Big Cypress National Preserve Access Area Southbound
0.2 mi from route
Broward County Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
10280
0.2 mi from route
ONE9 Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.5 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 205 decision points cluster between mile 3.7 and 248.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
3.7 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Take the exit toward SR 823: Red Road, Northwest 57th Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 43
Toward SR 823: Red Road, Northwest 57th Avenue
8
4.1 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Keep slight right at fork toward SR 823 North: Red Road, Miramar Pembroke Pines
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward SR 823 North: Red Road, Miramar Pembroke...
8
17.2 mi into trip
|
~23m in
|
I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward Alligator Alley, Naples
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward Alligator Alley, Naples
7
228.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 9m 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
248.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 33m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.80 one way
$75.60 round trip
$3.85/gal
25.4 MPG avg
87 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $41.48 | $82.95 |
| premium | $4.55 | $44.73 | $89.46 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $47.15 | $94.30 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.14
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
(14.3 mi)
$1.00
Homestead Extension
(2.3 mi)
$0.14
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
$38
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 74.9 | 0 | $26.22 | $11.99 |
| Efficient EV | 62.4 | 0 | $21.85 | $9.99 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 99.9 | 1 | $34.96 | $15.98 |
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 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.
Origin
Lake Lucerne, FL
Morning in Lake Lucerne on Monday
Local time
6:33 AM
EDT
Current temp
91°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 5 to 12 mph
19% chance
Live forecast
Destination
St. Petersburg, FL
Morning in St. Petersburg on Monday
Local time
6:33 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
SSE 5 to 13 mph
69% chance
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
2 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 37m 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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 232.5
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 93% of the total distance on major roads. You'll experience a long stretch of 219.8 miles on I-75 before transitioning. Expect the highway to continue for most of your trip, with surface roads appearing closer to your destination in St. Petersburg. The high highway percentage suggests consistent cruising speeds and potentially dense exit ramps as you approach urban areas.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 219.8 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Sunshine Skyway Bridge. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.7 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 249.7 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 3.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.2 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
53 ft
-1 ft
Total Climb
130 ft
Total Descent
92 ft
Highest Point
53 ft
~215.1 mi in
Elevation Range
54 ft
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 Lake Lucerne, FL and St. Petersburg, FL, road signs point toward Alligator Alley and Naples.
Alligator Alley
17.2 mi in
|
~23m
|
via I 75
Naples
17.2 mi in
|
~23m
|
via I 75
About the Cities
Starting in Lake Lucerne, FL
Full guide →Arriving in St. Petersburg, FL
Full guide →Founded 1876
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
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 4h 37m. Total distance: 249.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 219.8 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.14 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.
Yes — we found about 15 rest areas or service plazas 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 15 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.2 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — De Soto National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at St. Petersburg, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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