St. Petersburg, FL to Cutler Bay, FL is 268.5 miles and takes about 5h 3m via I 75 and Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, primarily utilizing major highways for most of the way. Expect a straightforward drive that's best suited for a single-day transit between these two points. While it's a significant distance, the efficient route makes it manageable without requiring an overnight stay. Plan for a steady pace as you head south through the state.
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
134.3 miles from St. Petersburg, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 28m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
203.8 mi
3h 38m
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
22.3 mi
26m
US 27
17.9 mi
22m
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
13.4 mi
15m
I 275
6 mi
8m
Caribbean Boulevard
1.4 mi
3m
31st Street South
0.7 mi
1m
Southwest 200th Street
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 203.8 mi, about 3h 38m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 92 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,826 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,424
Quietest
2 AM
~185 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 St. Petersburg, FL and Cutler Bay, FL.
1
Start on US 19
48 ft·5 sec·34th Street South
2
Turn right onto CR 150
0.2 mi·50 sec·Central Avenue
3
Turn right onto 31st Street South
0.7 mi·1 min·31st Street South
4
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
5
Merge onto I 275
4.9 mi·5 min·I 275
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·17 sec
7
Merge onto I 275; US 19
13 mi·15 min·Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 275
1.1 mi·2 min·I 275
Toward I 75 South: Naples
9
Merge onto I 75
28 mi·30 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
176 mi·3 hr 8 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward US 27: Miami, South Bay
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·58 sec
Toward US 27 South: Miami
13
Merge onto US 27
9.2 mi·11 min·US 27
Use the right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 27
8.6 mi·11 min·US 27
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward Florida's Turnpike South: Homestead, Key West
16
Merge onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
22 mi·26 min·Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 12Toward Caribbean Boulevard, Southwest 211th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork
180 ft·6 sec
Toward Caribbean Boulevard, Southwest 211th Street
19
Turn left onto Caribbean Boulevard
1.0 mi·2 min·Caribbean Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
20
Enter roundabout onto Caribbean Boulevard
73 ft·2 sec·Caribbean Boulevard
21
Continue on Caribbean Boulevard
0.4 mi·1 min·Caribbean Boulevard
22
Turn right onto Southwest 200th Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Southwest 200th Street
23
Turn right onto Franjo Road
0.2 mi·39 sec·Franjo Road
24
Turn right onto Old Cutler Road
0.1 mi·18 sec·Old Cutler Road
25
Turn right
76 ft·8 sec
26
Turn right
116 ft·8 sec
27
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour estimated drive time, starting your trip from St. Petersburg in the morning will allow you to reach Cutler Bay with ample daylight. The route is designed for a single-day journey, so you won't need to factor in an overnight stop. With a fuel cost estimated around $42, it's wise to fill up your tank before departing to ensure you have enough fuel for the 268.5-mile trip. Keep an eye on the mileage, especially as you approach the Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike, as this is a significant segment of the drive and a good place to be mindful of your fuel level.
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 134.3 miles from St. Petersburg, FL, or about 2h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 203.8 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 59 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134.3 miles or 2h 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cutler Bay, 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 268.5 miles and 5h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 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 75 for about 203.8 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 266.2 — 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|CR 150 / Central Avenue
Turn right onto CR 150 / Central Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
49.2 mi into trip|~57m in|I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
234.8 mi into trip|~4h 18m in|US 27
Keep slight right at fork onto US 27
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
266 mi into trip|~4h 56m in
Take the exit toward Caribbean Boulevard, Southwest 211th Street
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 12
Toward Caribbean Boulevard, Southwest 211th Str...
7
266.2 mi into trip|~4h 56m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Caribbean Boulevard, Southwest 211th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
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
$41
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.6
0
$28.19
$12.89
Efficient EV
67.1
0
$23.49
$10.74
EV Truck/SUV
107.4
1
$37.59
$17.18
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
St. Petersburg, FL
Late night
in St. Petersburg on Monday
Local time
1:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
ESE 5 mph21% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 17 at 3:45AM EDT until July 18 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Destination
Cutler Bay, FL
Late night
in Cutler Bay on Monday
Local time
1:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Partly Cloudy
S 3 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 17 at 3:45AM EDT until July 18 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
78°F
Golden Gate, FL
134 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
1 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
5h 3m 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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 18.5
Within sight of Miami, yet worlds away, Biscayne protects a rare combination of aquamarine waters, emerald islands, and fish-bejeweled coral reefs. Evidence of 10,000 years of human history is here to...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 268.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 93% of the 268.5 miles on major roads like I 75 and the Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike. You'll experience a long stretch of 203.8 miles on I 75 before transitioning to other routes. Expect a steady flow of traffic typical of major interstates. The final portion of your drive will involve exiting the main highway system onto surface roads as you approach your destination.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 203.8 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near CR 150 / Central Avenue.
Driving Effort10/10
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 23 significant decision points across 268.5 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: near the start (CR 150 / Central Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 49.2 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 234.8 miles (US 27): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
43 ft8 ft
Total Climb
4 ft
Total Descent
38 ft
Highest Point
43 ft
Elevation Range
34 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between St. Petersburg, FL and Cutler Bay, FL, road signs point toward Bay, Florida's Turnpike South: Homestead and Key West.
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 5h 3m. Total distance: 268.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 3m 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 203.8 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.28 in tolls one way, starting with Homestead Extension. 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 16 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 Cutler Bay, 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 16 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (CR 150 / Central Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 49.2 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 234.8 miles (US 27): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — De Soto National Memorial and Biscayne National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Cutler Bay, FL before the return drive.
