St. Petersburg, FL to Bunnell, FL is 180.7 miles and takes about 3h 32m via I-4 and I-95, with a fuel budget near $29 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This one-day trip stays entirely within Florida, taking you from the Gulf Coast inland and then north. With 97% of the drive on highways, expect a straightforward cruise for most of the way. It's a practical route for getting from point A to point B efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
90.3 miles from St. Petersburg, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 4
131 mi
2h 27m
I 275
21.4 mi
27m
I 95
11 mi
12m
US Highway 1
6.5 mi
7m
US 1
5.6 mi
7m
5th Avenue North
1.2 mi
2m
34th Street South
0.4 mi
1m
State Street
—
—
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
I 4
— 131 mi, about 2h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between St. Petersburg, FL and Bunnell, FL.
1
Start on US 19
0.4 mi·1 min·34th Street South
2
Turn right onto FL 595
1.2 mi·2 min·5th Avenue North
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·49 sec
Toward I 275 North
4
Merge onto I 275
21 mi·27 min·I 275
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.5 mi·42 sec
Exit 45BToward I 4 East: OrlandoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 4
61 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 4
13 mi·16 min·I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 4
57 mi·1 hr 4 min·I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·14 sec
Toward I 95: Miami, Jacksonville
10
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi·2 min
Toward I 95 North, US 92 North: Jacksonville
11
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 North: JacksonvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 95
11 mi·12 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·1 min
Exit 273Toward US 1: Ormond Beach, BunnellUse the right lane.
14
Turn right onto US 1
6.5 mi·7 min·US Highway 1
15
Enter roundabout onto US 1
151 ft·2 sec·US 1
16
Continue on US 1
5.6 mi·7 min·US 1
17
Arrive at destination
US 1; FL 100
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour 32-minute drive time, this route is easily completed in a single day. Leaving St. Petersburg in the morning should give you ample daylight to reach Bunnell, and the $29 fuel estimate means you won't need to worry too much about costs. Plan for one stop to break up the 131-mile stretch on I-4; rest areas are available along the interstates. Keep an eye out for the transition points between I-4 and I-95 as you head north, as these are key navigational moments.
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 90.3 miles from St. Petersburg, FL, or about 1h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 131 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 40 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 90.3 miles or 1h 45m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bunnell, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving St. Petersburg, 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 St. Petersburg, FL
This is one driving day of about 180.7 miles and 3h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from St. Petersburg, 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 4 for about 131 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 23.4 and 168.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
23.4 mi into trip|~31m in
Take the exit toward I 4 East: Orlando
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 45B
Toward I 4 East: Orlando
6
84.7 mi into trip|~1h 38m in|I 4
Keep slight left at fork onto I 4
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
98.1 mi into trip|~1h 55m in|I 4
Keep slight right at fork onto I 4
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
156.3 mi into trip|~3h 2m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: Jacksonville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 North: Jacksonville
8
168.3 mi into trip|~3h 15m in
Take the exit toward US 1: Ormond Beach, Bunnell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 273
Toward US 1: Ormond Beach, Bunnell
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.76 one way
$57.53 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg63 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$31.29
$62.58
premium
$4.72
$33.60
$67.20
diesel
$5.61
$39.90
$79.79
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 63.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
54.2
0
$18.97
$8.67
Efficient EV
45.2
0
$15.81
$7.23
EV Truck/SUV
72.3
0
$25.30
$11.56
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 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 15, 2026
Origin
St. Petersburg, FL
Morning
in St. Petersburg on Sunday
Local time
6:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bunnell, FL
Morning
in Bunnell on Sunday
Local time
6:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
83°F
Lake Butler, FL
90 mi in
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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 32m 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...
Fort Matanzas National Monument preserves the fortified coquina watchtower, completed in 1742, which defended the southern approach to the Spanish military settlement of St. Augustine. It also protect...
17 mi from route
~43 min detour
Free
near mile 180.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend almost all of your time on major highways, with 97% of the 180.7 miles on I-4, I-275, and I-95. The longest continuous stretch on the highway is 131 miles, primarily on I-4. Expect a steady pace with frequent exits as you move between these interstates. The transition to surface roads will be minimal, likely occurring only in the immediate vicinity of your destination.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 131 mi on I 4.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 4 and I 275. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 23.4 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 180.7 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 23.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 84.7 miles (I 4): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 98.1 miles (I 4): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
On the drive from St. Petersburg, FL to Bunnell, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Jacksonville along the way.
Jacksonville
154.8 mi in|~2h 59m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 32m. Total distance: 180.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 131 miles on I 4. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 18 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 Bunnell, 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 18 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 23.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 84.7 miles (I 4): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 98.1 miles (I 4): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — De Soto National Memorial and Fort Matanzas National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Bunnell, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
