Origin
Leesburg, FL
Afternoon in Leesburg on Sunday
Local time
12:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Leesburg, FL to St. Petersburg, FL
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 12m
Distance
104.5 mi
168 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 3m
★
6 AM
2h 12m
8 AM
2h 31m
10 AM
2h 19m
12 PM
2h 17m
3 PM
2h 19m
5 PM
2h 30m
8 PM
2h 7m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Leesburg, FL
Wikimedia Commons
St. Petersburg, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 104.5-mile drive from Leesburg, FL to St. Petersburg, FL is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 12 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $17, it's an economical option for a day trip. The route primarily utilizes I-75 and I-275, making it a convenient option for those looking for a direct path. Given the relatively short duration and highway nature, this trip is well-suited for a single day of travel, allowing you to maximize your time at your destination. You'll be traversing within the state of Florida for the entirety of your trip.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
52.2 miles from Leesburg, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 7m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 45.1 mi | 48m |
| I 275 | 37.6 mi | 45m |
| Warm Springs Avenue | 4.1 mi | 6m |
| FL 44 | 3.6 mi | 5m |
| South Commercial Street | 3.6 mi | 5m |
| CR 470 | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| West Main Street | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| US 301 | 1.5 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 45.1 mi, about 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Leesburg, FL and St. Petersburg, FL.
1
Start on South 6th Street
170 ft
·
9 sec
·
South 6th Street
2
Turn right onto West Magnolia Street
411 ft
·
20 sec
·
West Magnolia Street
3
Turn right onto South 9th Street
281 ft
·
19 sec
·
South 9th Street
4
Turn left onto West Main Street
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
West Main Street
5
Continue on FL 44
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
FL 44
6
Turn left onto CR 468
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Morse Boulevard
7
Turn straight onto CR 468
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Warm Springs Avenue
8
Enter roundabout onto CR 468
164 ft
·
3 sec
·
Warm Springs Avenue
9
Continue on CR 468
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Warm Springs Avenue
10
At end of road, turn left onto US 301
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
US 301
Use the left lane.
11
Turn left onto US 301
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
South Commercial Street
Use the straight lane.
12
Turn right onto CR 470
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
CR 470
Use the left / straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 75 South: Tampa
Use the left lane.
14
Merge onto I 75
45 mi
·
48 min
·
I 75
Use the straight lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 275
38 mi
·
45 min
·
I 275
Exit 274
Toward I 275 South: Tampa, Saint Petersburg
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 23B
Toward FL 595: Treasure Island, Florida Orange Groves Winery
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn right onto FL 595
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
5th Avenue North
18
Turn left onto US 19
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
34th Street North
Use the left lane.
19
Continue on US 19
323 ft
·
14 sec
·
34th Street South
20
Arrive at destination
US 19
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour, 12-minute drive, departing earlier in the day can help you avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach the St. Petersburg area. With a total distance of 104.5 miles and a fuel cost of around $17, planning for one fuel stop is likely unnecessary, but always keep an eye on your gauge. The longest stretch without a break is over 45 miles, so ensure you're comfortable and have any snacks or drinks you need before embarking on that segment. The direct nature of this route means you have flexibility; if you feel the need to stop, you can easily pull off at one of the many service areas along I-75.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 52.2 miles from Leesburg, FL, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 45.1 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 23 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.2 miles or 1h 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 1h 46m
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 Leesburg, 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 Leesburg, FL
This is one driving day of about 104.5 miles and 2h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Leesburg, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 45.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
52 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 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 52.2 miles from Leesburg, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 125 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 102.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
West Magnolia Street
Turn right onto West Magnolia Street
Navigation decision point
7
11.6 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
US 301
At end of road, turn left onto US 301
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
13.1 mi into trip
|
~22m in
|
US 301 / South Commercial Street
Turn left onto US 301 / South Commercial Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
9
64.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 21m in
|
I 275
Keep slight right at fork onto I 275 toward I 275 South: Tampa, Saint Petersburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 274
Toward I 275 South: Tampa, Saint Petersburg
8
102.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 7m in
Take the exit toward FL 595: Treasure Island, Florida Orange Groves Winery
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 23B
Toward FL 595: Treasure Island, Florida Orange...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.63 one way
$33.27 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
37 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $18.09 | $36.19 |
| premium | $4.72 | $19.43 | $38.86 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $23.07 | $46.14 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 31.3 | 0 | $10.97 | $5.02 |
| Efficient EV | 26.1 | 0 | $9.14 | $4.18 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 41.8 | 0 | $14.63 | $6.69 |
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (68% 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.
Destination
St. Petersburg, FL
Afternoon in St. Petersburg on Sunday
Local time
12:17 PM
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
26 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
2h 12m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
17 mi from route
~43 min detour
Free
near mile 104.5
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 86% of your travel occurring on interstates. The drive features a significant uninterrupted stretch of 45.1 miles on I-75, offering a chance to settle into a steady pace. You'll navigate through major arteries like I-75 and I-275, which are designed for efficient travel. While the majority of the journey involves higher speeds on these main roads, you'll also encounter sections on Warm Springs Avenue, suggesting a brief transition to local roads before rejoining the interstate system.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 45.1 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and I 275. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West Magnolia Street.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 104.5 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West Magnolia Street): Navigation decision point; at 11.6 miles (US 301): Lane positioning matters here; at 13.1 miles (US 301 / South Commercial Street): 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.
On the drive from Leesburg, FL to St. Petersburg, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Petersburg along the way.
Saint Petersburg
64.9 mi in
|
~1h 21m
|
via I 275
About the Cities
Starting in Leesburg, FL
Full guide →Leesburg is a town of 24,000 people (2019) in Lake County, Florida. The town is between Lakes Griffin and Harris.
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 2h 12m. Total distance: 104.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 45.1 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West Magnolia Street): Navigation decision point; at 11.6 miles (US 301): Lane positioning matters here; at 13.1 miles (US 301 / South Commercial Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — De Soto National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at St. Petersburg, FL before heading back.
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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