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Trip from Riviera Beach, 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

4h 23m

Distance

196.2 mi

316 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$31

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 10m ★
6 AM
4h 24m
8 AM
4h 50m
10 AM
4h 33m
12 PM
4h 30m
3 PM
4h 34m
5 PM
4h 49m
8 PM
4h 16m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Riviera Beach, FL, FL

Riviera Beach, FL

Abhishek Navlakha

city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States

St. Petersburg, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Riviera Beach to St. Petersburg is 196.2 miles and takes about 4h 23m via FL 70, with a fuel budget near $31 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a completely intrastate journey, staying within Florida for the entire trip. You'll experience a mixed drive, transitioning from more urbanized areas near the coast to inland landscapes. It's a straightforward, manageable route for a single day, perfect if you want to get to your destination without a lengthy overnight stop. Plan for about 65.3 miles of continuous driving on FL 70 at one point.

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

98.1 miles from Riviera Beach, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 13m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
FL 70 65.3 mi 1h 26m
Southwest Warfield Boulevard 33.1 mi 44m
SR 70 32.9 mi 45m
Bee Line Highway 20.7 mi 27m
Sunshine Skyway Bridge 14.3 mi 16m
I 75 9.9 mi 10m
East Hickory Street 8.4 mi 12m
I 275 5.7 mi 7m
Longest stretch: FL 70 — 65.3 mi, about 1h 26m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Riviera Beach, FL and St. Petersburg, FL.

1

Start on West 15th Street

0.2 mi · 56 sec · West 15th Street
2

Turn left onto Avenue H

0.1 mi · 29 sec · Avenue H
3

Turn right onto West 13th Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · West 13th Street
4

Turn left onto Australian Avenue

0.3 mi · 41 sec · Australian Avenue
5

Turn right onto FL 710

2.3 mi · 4 min · Dr Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
6

Continue on FL 710

21 mi · 27 min · Bee Line Highway
7

Continue on FL 710

33 mi · 44 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: Tampa Use 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 228 Toward I 275 North: Saint Petersburg Use 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 20 Toward 31st Street South Use 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

Given the 4h 23m estimated drive time and the $31 fuel cost, this trip is easily achievable in one day. Consider departing in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for any unexpected delays. You'll encounter one significant stretch of 65.3 miles on FL 70, so ensure you have sufficient fuel before entering this segment. The route's mixed profile suggests planning for potential stops at various points along FL 70 or other main roads like Southwest Warfield Boulevard. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your journey.

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 98.1 miles from Riviera Beach, FL, or about 2h 13m 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 1h in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 98.1 miles or 2h 13m 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 Riviera Beach, 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 Riviera Beach, FL

This is one driving day of about 196.2 miles and 4h 23m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Riviera Beach, 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.

Downtown Punta Gorda, FL, FL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Punta Gorda, FL

98 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

Pahokee, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 43 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Sebring, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 98.1 miles from Riviera Beach, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before FL 70 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 65.3 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 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 164.1 and 195.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
164.1 mi into trip | ~3h 44m 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
174.5 mi into trip | ~3h 56m 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
5
180.6 mi into trip | ~4h 4m in | I 275; US 19 / Sunshine Skyway Bridge

Merge onto I 275; US 19 / Sunshine Skyway Bridge

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
194.9 mi into trip | ~4h 20m 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
195.2 mi into trip | ~4h 21m 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

$31.23 one way

$62.46 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 69 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.40 $33.97 $67.94
premium $4.72 $36.48 $72.96
diesel $5.61 $43.32 $86.64

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: 68.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 58.9 0 $20.60 $9.42
Efficient EV 49.1 0 $17.17 $7.85
EV Truck/SUV 78.5 0 $27.47 $12.56

Gas CO2

69 kg

EV CO2

23 kg (67% 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 18, 2026

Origin

Riviera Beach, FL

Late night in Riviera Beach on Sunday

Local time

3:37 AM

EDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

St. Petersburg, FL

Late night in St. Petersburg on Sunday

Local time

3:37 AM

EDT

Current temp

68°F

Partly Cloudy

ENE 3 mph 0% 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

9 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 23m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This route offers a balanced driving experience, with 58% of it on highways. You'll encounter a mix of faster highway sections and more local road driving, creating a varied journey. The longest continuous stretch you'll navigate is 65.3 miles on FL 70, offering a solid period of consistent travel. As you progress, expect the scenery to shift from coastal Florida to more central parts of the state. This blend means you won't be stuck in monotonous highway driving but will also have opportunities to make good time.

58% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
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?

8/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 164.1 miles in.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 196.2 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 164.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 174.5 miles (I 275): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 180.6 miles (I 275; US 19 / Sunshine Skyway Bridge): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 23m. Total distance: 196.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.

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 164.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 174.5 miles (I 275): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 180.6 miles (I 275; US 19 / Sunshine Skyway Bridge): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.8 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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