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Trip from St. Petersburg, FL to Inverness, 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 1m

Distance

98.5 mi

159 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$16

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min
4 AM
1h 52m ★
6 AM
2h 1m
8 AM
2h 18m
10 AM
2h 7m
12 PM
2h 5m
3 PM
2h 8m
5 PM
2h 18m
8 PM
1h 56m

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

city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States

St. Petersburg, FL

Wikimedia Commons

county seat of Citrus County, Florida, United States

Inverness, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

If you are looking to escape the coastal bustle of St. Petersburg for the more inland setting of Inverness, this 98.5-mile journey is a straightforward trek. Expect to spend about 2 hours and 1 minute behind the wheel, making it an ideal candidate for a single-day excursion. You will primarily navigate via 5th Avenue North, I-275 North, and FL 60 to complete the trip. With a fuel budget of approximately $16, the drive is quite economical for a solo traveler or a small group. Since the entire route stays within Florida, you won't have to worry about changing state regulations or major regional shifts, allowing for a relaxed pace throughout the day.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

49.3 miles from St. Petersburg, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 2m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Suncoast Parkway 54.2 mi 59m
I 275 15.2 mi 18m
Gulf to Lake Highway 10.2 mi 14m
Veterans Expressway 10.1 mi 13m
FL 589 Toll Express Lane 3.2 mi 4m
Main Street 1.3 mi 2m
5th Avenue North 1.2 mi 2m
Memorial Highway 0.7 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Suncoast Parkway — 54.2 mi, about 59m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

15 mi · 18 min · I 275
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 39 Toward FL 60: Clearwater, Tampa International Airport, Kennedy Boulevard, West Shore Boulevard Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Toward FL 60 East: Kennedy Boulevard, West Shore Boulevard Use the slight right lane.
7

Continue on West Kennedy Boulevard

0.3 mi · 31 sec · West Kennedy Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
8

Turn left onto FL 60

0.7 mi · 1 min · Memorial Highway
Toward FL 589 Toll: Tampa International Airport, Clearwater Use the left / straight lanes.
9

Keep slight left at fork onto FL 589 Toll

4.5 mi · 6 min · Veterans Expressway
Toward FL 589 Toll Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork onto FL 589 Toll

3.2 mi · 4 min · FL 589 Toll Express Lane
11

Merge onto FL 589 Toll

0.6 mi · 48 sec · Veterans Expressway
12

Keep slight right at fork onto FL 589 Toll

4.9 mi · 6 min · Veterans Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight left at fork onto FL 589 Toll

54 mi · 59 min · Suncoast Parkway
Toward Crystal River Use the straight lane.
14

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 44 sec
Toward FL 44: Gulf to Lake Highway
15

Turn right onto FL 44

10 mi · 14 min · Gulf to Lake Highway
16

Continue on FL 44

1.3 mi · 2 min · Main Street
17

Turn left onto North Pine Avenue

172 ft · 9 sec · North Pine Avenue
18

Turn right onto Courthouse Square

222 ft · 9 sec · Courthouse Square
19

Turn right

113 ft · 8 sec
20

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the advantage of total schedule flexibility. I recommend leaving mid-morning to avoid the heaviest local traffic, as the turn-heavy nature of the route can be more taxing during peak hours. Budget your $16 for gas before you depart to ensure you don't have to hunt for a station mid-trip. Because there are no designated stops scheduled in the data, keep a close eye on your own comfort levels and pull over whenever you need a quick break. My top tip for this specific drive is to stay alert on the local roads and anticipate frequent turns, as the lack of highway segments means you will be navigating intersections and local turns for the entire 2-hour duration.

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 49.3 miles from St. Petersburg, FL, or about 1h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.2 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 22 miles or 30m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 49.3 miles or 1h 2m 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 36m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Inverness, 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 98.5 miles and 2h 1m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from St. Petersburg, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Suncoast Parkway for about 54.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Land O' Lakes, FL, FL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Land O' Lakes, FL

49 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

Town 'n' Country, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bayonet Point, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 49.3 miles from St. Petersburg, 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Cattle Dog Coffee Roasters

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Inverness, Florida

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 98.5

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+13527267060

Visit website

Hen House Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Inverness, Florida

0.1 mi

Bandit Coffee Co.

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

St. Petersburg, Florida

0.6 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Sweet Alps Ice Cream Inverness

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Inverness, Florida

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route mile 98.5

Hours: 12–9 pm

+13524231112

Visit website

Christmas Cafe

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Inverness, Florida

0.9 mi

The Under Grounds Coffee Co

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

St. Petersburg, Florida

1.3 mi

Cattle Dog Coffee Roasters

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 98.5

Inverness, Florida

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+13527267060

Visit website

Hen House Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 98.5

Inverness, Florida

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+13524197942

Visit website

Bandit Coffee Co.

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

St. Petersburg, Florida

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

Visit website

Heidi's Souper Salads

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 98.5

Inverness, Florida

Hours: 10:30 am–3 pm

+13524194033

Central Cafe & Bakery

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 98.5

Inverness, Florida

Hours: 7:30 am–3 pm

+13524194911

Visit website

Paradeco Coffee Roasters

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

St. Petersburg, Florida

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+17272226458

Visit website

The Roost

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 84.5

Homosassa, Florida

Hours: 8:30 am–5:30 pm

+13524002432

Visit website

Bee Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 42.2

Land O' Lakes, Florida

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+18138096787

Visit website

Sweet Alps Ice Cream Inverness

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route mile 98.5

Inverness, Florida

Hours: 12–9 pm

+13524231112

Visit website

Christmas Cafe

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 98.5

Inverness, Florida

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+13524194329

The Under Grounds Coffee Co

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

St. Petersburg, Florida

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+17272703739

Visit website

Inverness Coffee House and Hemptation Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 98.5

Inverness, Florida

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+13524231690

Visit website

Warehouse Coffee Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 56.3

Spring Hill, Florida

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+13522771279

Visit website

Bad Mother

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour

St. Petersburg, Florida

Hours: 7:30 am–4 pm

Visit website

Cattle Dog Coffee Roasters

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 91.5

Hernando, Florida

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+13522493166

Visit website

Urban Crunch Creamery Cafe - Bexley

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 35.2

Land O' Lakes, Florida

Hours: 8 am–9 pm

+18136478618

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 63.3

Brooksville, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

1.5 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route mile 98.5

Inverness, Florida

EV Connect Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 35.2

Land O' Lakes, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour

St. Petersburg, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 7

Clearwater, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

3.1 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 84.5

Crystal River, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Later in the drive, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 77.4

Brooksville, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Shell Recharge Charging Station

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 98.5

Inverness, Florida

+31880109500

Visit website

FloridaRAMA

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

St. Petersburg, Florida

Hours: 12–3:30 pm

+17272105450

Visit website

The Canna Bakery Shop

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 98.5

Inverness, Florida

Hours: 11 am–6 pm

+13524194324

Visit website

Morean Arts Center

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

St. Petersburg, Florida

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+17278227872

Visit website

Pier Dolphin Cruises

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour

St. Petersburg, Florida

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+17276471538

Visit website

The Dalí Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour Moderately

St. Petersburg, Florida

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+17278233767

Visit website

South Straub Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour

St. Petersburg, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+17278937441

Visit website

Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 84.5

Homosassa, Florida

Hours: 9 am–5:30 pm

+13524235600

Visit website

Tom Varn Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 63.3

Brooksville, Florida

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+13525403830

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 17.2 and 32.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
17.2 mi into trip | ~22m in

Take the exit toward FL 60: Clearwater, Tampa International Airport, Kennedy Boulevard, West Shore Boulevard

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 39 Toward FL 60: Clearwater, Tampa International A...
8
17.7 mi into trip | ~23m in

Keep slight right at fork toward FL 60 East: Kennedy Boulevard, West Shore Boulevard

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward FL 60 East: Kennedy Boulevard, West Shor...
6
18.3 mi into trip | ~25m in | FL 60 / Memorial Highway

Turn left onto FL 60 / Memorial Highway toward FL 589 Toll: Tampa International Airport, Clearwater

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left / straight lanes. Toward FL 589 Toll: Tampa International Airport...
7
19 mi into trip | ~26m in | FL 589 Toll / Veterans Expressway

Keep slight left at fork onto FL 589 Toll / Veterans Expressway toward FL 589 Toll

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward FL 589 Toll
7
32.3 mi into trip | ~43m in | FL 589 Toll / Suncoast Parkway

Keep slight left at fork onto FL 589 Toll / Suncoast Parkway toward Crystal River

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane. Toward Crystal River

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$15.68 one way

$31.36 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 35 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.40 $17.06 $34.11
premium $4.72 $18.32 $36.63
diesel $5.61 $21.75 $43.50

Estimated Tolls: $4.05

Suncoast Parkway (54.2 mi) $3.25
Veterans Expressway (10.1 mi) $0.80

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

$16

Tolls

$4

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$45–$70

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 34.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 29.5 0 $10.34 $4.73
Efficient EV 24.6 0 $8.62 $3.94
EV Truck/SUV 39.4 0 $13.79 $6.30

Gas CO2

34 kg

EV CO2

12 kg (65% 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

6:27 AM

EDT

Current temp

86°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Inverness, FL

Morning in Inverness on Sunday

Local time

6:27 AM

EDT

Current temp

57°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

29 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

2h 1m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a passive cruise down a straight interstate. Because 0% of this route is classified as highway, you will find yourself navigating local roads for the duration of the 98.5-mile trip. The character of the road is technical and requires frequent adjustments, which keeps the experience engaging from start to finish. Without long, uninterrupted highway stretches, the drive offers a consistent feel that prioritizes local navigation over high-speed transit. It is a practical route that favors steady, cautious driving over the monotonous grind often found on major freeways.

84% 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: 54.2 mi on Suncoast Parkway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Suncoast Parkway and I 275. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 17.2 miles in.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 16 significant decision points across 98.5 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: at 17.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.3 miles (FL 60 / Memorial Highway): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 Inverness, FL, road signs point toward Tampa International Airport, Clearwater and Crystal River.

Tampa International Airport

17.2 mi in | ~22m

Clearwater

18.3 mi in | ~25m | via FL 60

Crystal River

32.3 mi in | ~43m | via FL 589 Toll

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 1m. Total distance: 98.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 54.2 miles on Suncoast Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $4.05 in tolls one way, starting with Suncoast Parkway. 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.

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 Inverness, 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: at 17.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.3 miles (FL 60 / Memorial Highway): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Inverness, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Inverness, FL to St. Petersburg, FL

Plan the drive back the other way.

98.5 mi 2h

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