Lauderhill to St. Petersburg is 242 miles and takes about 4h 31m via I-75 and I-275, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Florida, taking you across the state on a predominantly highway-focused path. With a recommended one-day drive, you'll spend most of your time on major interstates, making it a straightforward journey. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to get from South Florida to the Tampa Bay area without significant detours. The Sunshine Skyway Bridge is a notable feature of the latter half of this trip.
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
121 miles from Lauderhill, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
209.2 mi
3h 44m
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
14.3 mi
16m
I 275
5.7 mi
7m
West Broward Boulevard
3.5 mi
6m
Port Everglades Expressway
3.3 mi
3m
West Sunrise Boulevard
1.4 mi
2m
Hiatus Road
0.7 mi
1m
Northwest 65th Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 209.2 mi, about 3h 44m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 92 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,831 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,554
Quietest
2 AM
~187 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 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 Lauderhill, FL and St. Petersburg, FL.
1
Start on Northwest 12th Street
237 ft·8 sec·Northwest 12th Street
2
Turn right onto Northwest 47th Avenue
0.3 mi·47 sec·Northwest 47th Avenue
3
Turn right onto SR 838
1.4 mi·2 min·West Sunrise Boulevard
Use the right lane.
4
Turn left onto Northwest 65th Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·Northwest 65th Avenue
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on Northwest 5th Street
0.1 mi·22 sec·Northwest 5th Street
6
Turn left onto Northwest 70th Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Northwest 70th Avenue
7
Turn right onto SR 842
3.5 mi·6 min·West Broward Boulevard
Use the left lane.
8
Turn left onto Hiatus Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Hiatus Road
9
Turn right onto SR 84
0.4 mi·42 sec·SR 84
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 595 WestUse the left lane.
11
Merge onto I 595
3.3 mi·3 min·Port Everglades Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
12
Merge onto I 75
209 mi·3 hr 44 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
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.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·19 sec
15
Merge onto I 275; US 19
14 mi·16 min·Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Exit 20Toward 31st Street SouthUse the slight left lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork
161 ft·9 sec
Toward Winery, Treasure Island, Tropicana Field
18
Turn left onto 31st Street South
0.4 mi·58 sec·31st Street South
19
Turn left onto 5th Avenue South
0.2 mi·39 sec·5th Avenue South
20
Turn right onto US 19
0.3 mi·40 sec·34th Street South
21
Arrive at destination
US 19
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 31m duration, this is a very manageable one-day trip, so you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the morning will allow you to avoid peak traffic in both the starting and ending regions. The longest stretch without a major change is over 200 miles on I-75, so plan for at least one fuel and rest stop midway. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, as services can be less frequent on the bridge itself. The total fuel cost is estimated at $39, which is a helpful budget 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 121 miles from Lauderhill, FL, or about 2h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 209.2 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 53 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 121 miles or 2h 17m 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 40m
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 Lauderhill, 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 Lauderhill, FL
This is one driving day of about 242 miles and 4h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Lauderhill, 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 209.2 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 0.3 and 241 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.3 mi into trip|~0m in|SR 838 / West Sunrise Boulevard
Turn right onto SR 838 / West Sunrise Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
1.8 mi into trip|~3m in|Northwest 65th Avenue
Turn left onto Northwest 65th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
220.3 mi into trip|~4h 3m 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
240.7 mi into trip|~4h 28m 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
241 mi into trip|~4h 28m 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
$38.91 one way
$77.82 round trip
$4.08/gal25.4 MPG avg85 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.44
$42.32
$84.64
premium
$4.78
$45.52
$91.05
diesel
$6.18
$58.87
$117.74
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
$39
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
72.6
0
$25.41
$11.62
Efficient EV
60.5
0
$21.18
$9.68
EV Truck/SUV
96.8
1
$33.88
$15.49
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
28 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Lauderhill, FL
Morning
in Lauderhill on Tuesday
Local time
6:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NE 15 to 18 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 7:08AM CDT until October 20 at 6:00AM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 2:34AM EDT until October 22 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Destination
St. Petersburg, FL
Morning
in St. Petersburg on Tuesday
Local time
6:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Sunny
NE 12 to 16 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 7:08AM CDT until October 20 at 6:00AM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 2:34AM EDT until October 22 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne 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
3 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 31m 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
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 225.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is heavily highway-focused, with 90% of the drive utilizing major interstates like I-75 and I-275. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 209.2 miles on I-75, which means extended periods of consistent highway driving. The character of the road is primarily that of a fast-paced interstate, designed for efficient travel across longer distances. While mostly highway, the approach to St. Petersburg via the Sunshine Skyway Bridge offers a distinct visual element before you merge onto I-275.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 209.2 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 0.3 miles in near SR 838 / West Sunrise Boulevard.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 242 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 0.3 miles (SR 838 / West Sunrise Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 miles (Northwest 65th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 220.3 miles (I 275): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 31m. Total distance: 242 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 209.2 miles on I 75. 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.
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 0.3 miles (SR 838 / West Sunrise Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 miles (Northwest 65th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 220.3 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 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at St. Petersburg, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
