St. Petersburg, FL to Lauderdale Lakes, FL is 242.7 miles and takes about 4h 33m via I 75 and Sunshine Skyway Bridge, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within Florida, offering a straightforward drive across the state. The majority of your travel will be on major highways, making it a practical choice for a quick trip. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, this route is ideal for a same-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination with plenty of time to spare.
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
121.3 miles from St. Petersburg, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
209.3 mi
3h 44m
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
13.4 mi
15m
West Oakland Park Boulevard
6.6 mi
12m
I 275
6 mi
8m
Sawgrass Expressway
2.7 mi
3m
31st Street South
0.7 mi
1m
Port Everglades Expressway
0.4 mi
<1m
Central Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 209.3 mi, about 3h 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between St. Petersburg, FL and Lauderdale Lakes, 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
181 mi·3 hr 14 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 595
0.4 mi·29 sec·Port Everglades Expressway
Exit 19Toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Springs, Fort LauderdaleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
1.7 mi·3 min
Exit 19Toward SR 869 Toll North: Coral SpringsUse the slight left / straight lanes.
13
Merge onto SR 869 Toll
2.7 mi·3 min·Sawgrass Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 3Toward SR 816: Oakland Park BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto CR 816
0.2 mi·24 sec·West Oakland Park Boulevard
16
Turn left onto CR 816
6.4 mi·11 min·West Oakland Park Boulevard
Use the left lane.
17
Turn left onto Northwest 46th Avenue
376 ft·20 sec·Northwest 46th Avenue
Use the left lane.
18
Turn right onto Northwest 32nd Street
254 ft·16 sec·Northwest 32nd Street
19
Turn left onto Northwest 45th Terrace
234 ft·10 sec·Northwest 45th Terrace
20
Continue on Northwest 32nd Court
473 ft·26 sec·Northwest 32nd Court
21
Turn left onto Northwest 44th Terrace
36 ft·1 sec·Northwest 44th Terrace
22
Arrive at destination
Northwest 44th Terrace
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4h 33m drive, consider leaving St. Petersburg early in the morning to avoid any potential rush hour traffic, especially as you get closer to the Fort Lauderdale area. With only one stop recommended, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. The fuel cost is estimated at $39, so ensure your tank is full before you depart. Pay attention to the exit numbers as you approach your destination, as the final leg on West Oakland Park Boulevard can have numerous intersecting streets.
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 121.3 miles from St. Petersburg, FL, or about 2h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 209.3 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 53 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 121.3 miles or 2h 14m 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 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lauderdale Lakes, 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 242.7 miles and 4h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 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 209.3 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 235.3 — 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.
9
230.4 mi into trip|~4h 11m in|I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 19
Toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Spr...
7
230.9 mi into trip|~4h 11m in
Take the exit toward SR 869 Toll North: Coral Springs
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 19
Toward SR 869 Toll North: Coral Springs
7
235.3 mi into trip|~4h 18m in
Take the exit toward SR 816: Oakland Park Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 3
Toward SR 816: Oakland Park Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.63 one way
$77.26 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg85 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$42.02
$84.05
premium
$4.72
$45.13
$90.26
diesel
$5.61
$53.59
$107.17
Estimated Tolls: $1.16
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
(13.4 mi)$0.94
Sawgrass Expressway
(2.7 mi)$0.22
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
$39
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
72.8
0
$25.48
$11.65
Efficient EV
60.7
0
$21.24
$9.71
EV Truck/SUV
97.1
1
$33.98
$15.53
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
28 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
St. Petersburg, FL
Late night
in St. Petersburg on Sunday
Local time
3:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lauderdale Lakes, FL
Late night
in Lauderdale Lakes on Sunday
Local time
3:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°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
8 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 33m 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...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 16.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is about 90% highway, so expect extended periods of cruising on major interstates. You'll spend the longest stretch, 209.3 miles, on I 75. The transition to surface roads happens near the end, with West Oakland Park Boulevard being a main artery in the Lauderdale Lakes area. Given the high highway percentage and the number of exits on I 75, be prepared for frequent merging and traffic as you approach urban centers.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 209.3 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Sunshine Skyway Bridge. 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 Effort9/10
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 18 significant decision points across 242.7 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: 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 230.4 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
On the drive from St. Petersburg, FL to Lauderdale Lakes, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Lauderdale along the way.
Fort Lauderdale
230.4 mi in|~4h 11m|via I 595
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 33m. Total distance: 242.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 209.3 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.16 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 Lauderdale Lakes, 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: 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 230.4 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Lauderdale Lakes, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
