Trip from St. Petersburg, FL to Gulf Breeze, FL

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

9h 5m

Distance

491.5 mi

791 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$74

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min

4 AM

8h 57m ★

6 AM

9h 6m

8 AM

9h 22m

10 AM

9h 11m

12 PM

9h 10m

3 PM

9h 12m

5 PM

9h 21m

8 PM

9h 1m

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

Best Time

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city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States

St. Petersburg, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Gulf Breeze, FL

Glenda Thompson

Trip Overview

St. Petersburg, FL to Gulf Breeze, FL is 491.5 miles and takes about 9h 5m via I-75 and I-10, with a fuel budget near $77 and enough daylight to finish in a day, though an overnight stay is recommended. This trip stays within Florida, taking you north and then west across the panhandle. With a high highway percentage, expect a fairly direct drive. This route is best suited for those who want to cover ground efficiently and don't mind spending most of their time on interstates.

Trip Pace

Best split across 2 days

Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.

Break Rhythm

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

245.8 miles from St. Petersburg, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 32m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 10	269.9 mi	4h 49m
I 75	160.3 mi	2h 51m
I 275	37.7 mi	46m
Garcon Point Road	8.8 mi	12m
Gulf Breeze Parkway	6.5 mi	11m
Avalon Boulevard	5.5 mi	7m
5th Avenue North	1.2 mi	2m
34th Street South	0.4 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 10 — 269.9 mi, about 4h 49m

Traffic on I-10

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 54 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

3 PM

~1,226 veh/hr typical · worst 1,701

Quietest

2 AM

~148 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

8.3×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

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 Gulf Breeze, FL.

Start on US 19

0.4 mi · 1 min · 34th Street South

Turn right onto FL 595

1.2 mi · 2 min · 5th Avenue North

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 49 sec

Toward I 275 North

Merge onto I 275

38 mi · 46 min · I 275

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 75

160 mi · 2 hr 51 min · I 75

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 15 sec

Exit 435 Toward I 10: Jacksonville, Tallahassee Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 30 sec

Toward I 10 West: Tallahassee Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 10

270 mi · 4 hr 49 min · I 10

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec

Exit 26 Toward CR 191: Milton, Bagdad Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn left onto CR 191

7.2 mi · 10 min · Garcon Point Road

At end of road, turn left onto FL 281 Toll

1.6 mi · 2 min · Garcon Point Road

Continue on FL 281 Toll

5.5 mi · 7 min · Avalon Boulevard

Turn right onto US 98

6.5 mi · 11 min · Gulf Breeze Parkway

Continue on US 98

402 ft · 18 sec · Gulf Breeze Parkway

Turn right

278 ft · 20 sec

Use the straight / right lanes.

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the 9h 5m estimated drive time, splitting this into two days is a smart move to avoid fatigue. Aim to depart St. Petersburg in the morning to make good progress before considering your overnight stop. The longest stretch is over 269 miles on I-10, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly before embarking on that segment. The fuel cost is estimated at $77, so keep that in mind for your budget. Make sure you're comfortable with extended periods of highway driving before you set out.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.

Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 245.8 miles from St. Petersburg, FL, or about 4h 32m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 269.9 miles.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 108 miles or 2h 4m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 245.8 miles or 4h 32m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Overnight split

Day 1 wrap after about 245.8 miles or 4h 32m

Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 7h 51m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gulf Breeze, 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.

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.

Day 1

Settle into the route from St. Petersburg, FL

Aim for roughly 246 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Gulf Breeze, FL

Aim for roughly 246 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 108 miles from St. Petersburg, FL.

This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.

Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on I 10 for about 269.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in and the county seat of Colquitt County, Georgia, United States

Mid-route town

Overnight candidate

Moultrie, GA

246 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Moultrie, GA

Overnight Options

Night 1

Moultrie, GA

246 mi · about 4.5h in

A practical overnight split lands near Moultrie, GA after about 246 miles or 4.5 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Orlando, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 108 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Tallahassee, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 245.8 miles from St. Petersburg, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 269.9 miles.

Overnight split

0.4 mi from route

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 11

5 decision points cluster between mile 1.9 and 491.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

1.9 mi into trip | ~4m in | I 275

Merge onto I 275

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

199.9 mi into trip | ~3h 42m in

Take the exit toward I 10: Jacksonville, Tallahassee

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 435 Toward I 10: Jacksonville, Tallahassee

200.1 mi into trip | ~3h 43m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 West: Tallahassee

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 10 West: Tallahassee

470.3 mi into trip | ~8h 32m in

Take the exit toward CR 191: Milton, Bagdad

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 26 Toward CR 191: Milton, Bagdad

491.5 mi into trip | ~9h 5m in

Turn right

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$74.40 one way

$148.80 round trip

$3.85/gal 25.4 MPG avg 172 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.22	$81.64	$163.28
premium	$4.55	$88.04	$176.09
diesel	$4.80	$92.80	$185.61

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$74

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$204–$314

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 172 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $52 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	147.5	1	$51.61	$23.59
Efficient EV	122.9	1	$43.01	$19.66
EV Truck/SUV	196.6	2	$68.81	$31.46

Gas CO2

172 kg

EV CO2

58 kg (66% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 16, 2026

Origin

St. Petersburg, FL

Morning in St. Petersburg on Sunday

Local time

11:03 AM

EDT

Current temp

79°F

Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms

NW 5 to 12 mph 43% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 6:35PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 6:26PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL

Destination

Gulf Breeze, FL

Morning in Gulf Breeze on Sunday

Local time

10:03 AM

CDT

Current temp

92°F

Sunny

W 15 mph 3% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 6:35PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 6:26PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee 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.

For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.

Time zone

1 hour earlier

The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.

Temperature spread

13 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

9h 5m on the road

This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.

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.

Gulf Islands National Seashore

National Seashore

Millions of visitors are drawn to the Gulf of America for Gulf Islands National Seashore's emerald coast waters, magnificent white beaches, fertile marshes and historical landscapes. Come explore with...

5 mi from route ~12 min detour $25 near mile 491.5

Park Closure: Fort Pickens Campground Restroom A Loop Closure

Caution: Road workers on Park Road in Davis Bayou

View on nps.gov

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

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This route is mostly highway, with 97% of the drive on interstates. You'll encounter a very long stretch of 269.9 miles on I-10. The majority of your time will be spent on I-75 and I-10, so expect consistent cruising with frequent, but manageable, exits. Surface roads will only be encountered for a very brief portion at the beginning and end of your trip.

97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 269.9 mi on I 10.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and I 75. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.9 miles in near I 275.

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 491.5 miles you will encounter 11 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: at 1.9 miles (I 275): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 199.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 200.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

274 ft 18 ft

Total Climb

447 ft

Total Descent

471 ft

Highest Point

274 ft

~421.3 mi in

Elevation Range

256 ft

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 Gulf Breeze, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Tallahassee along the way.

Tallahassee

199.9 mi in | ~3h 42m

About the Cities

Starting in St. Petersburg, FL

Full guide →

Founded 1876

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

Arriving in Gulf Breeze, FL

Full guide →

Founded 1875

Gulf Breeze is a city in the Florida Panhandle.

Top landmarks

• Naval Live Oaks Reservation — park and historic military area in Gulf Breeze, Florida, USA

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

9h 5m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 269.9 miles on I 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 246 miles on day one.

Yes — we found about 53 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 Gulf Breeze, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 53 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Yes — Gulf Islands National Seashore and De Soto National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 9.1 hours each way, a round trip means 18.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Gulf Breeze, FL before the return drive.

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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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