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Trip from St. Petersburg, FL to Sharpes, FL

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 46m

Distance

144.5 mi

233 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

Fair

3 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min
4 AM
2h 36m ★
6 AM
2h 47m
8 AM
3h 9m
10 AM
2h 55m
12 PM
2h 52m
3 PM
2h 56m
5 PM
3h 8m
8 PM
2h 40m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States

St. Petersburg, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Sharpes, FL, FL

Sharpes, FL

Matt Fitz Gibaud

Trip Overview

This 144.5-mile drive from St. Petersburg, FL to Sharpes, FL is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 46 minutes. You'll primarily be on major highways, with I-4, Beachline Expressway, and I-275 forming the backbone of your journey. Expect a highway-focused experience, making it a straightforward commute rather than a leisurely scenic tour. With an estimated fuel cost of $23, this route offers an economical option for traversing Florida. The entire trip stays within the state of Florida, so you won't encounter regional changes, but be prepared for consistent highway driving.

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

72.2 miles from St. Petersburg, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 25m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 4 60.9 mi 1h 6m
Beachline Expressway 29.9 mi 32m
I 275 21.4 mi 27m
Central Florida GreeneWay 18.5 mi 20m
Southern Connector Extension 7.5 mi 8m
Cocoa Boulevard 2.3 mi 3m
5th Avenue North 1.2 mi 2m
34th Street South 0.4 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 4 — 60.9 mi, about 1h 6m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between St. Petersburg, FL and Sharpes, 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 45B Toward I 4 East: Orlando Use 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 right at fork

0.3 mi · 16 sec
Exit 62 Toward FL 417 North: Airport, Disney World, Celebration Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Continue on FL 417 Toll

7.5 mi · 8 min · Southern Connector Extension
Toward FL 417 North: Airport, Disney World Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Continue on FL 417 Toll

19 mi · 20 min · Central Florida GreeneWay
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Exit 26 Toward FL 528: International Airport, Cocoa Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight right at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min
Toward FL 528 East: Cocoa, Kennedy Space Center Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
12

Merge onto FL 528 Toll

30 mi · 32 min · Beachline Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 25 sec
Exit 46 Toward US 1: Cocoa, Titusville Use the right lane.
14

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 20 sec
Toward US 1 North: Titusville Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
15

Turn straight onto US 1

2.3 mi · 3 min · Cocoa Boulevard
16

Turn left onto Canaveral Groves Boulevard

21 ft · 0 sec · Canaveral Groves Boulevard
17

Arrive at destination

Canaveral Groves Boulevard

Trip Plan

Given the 2-hour 46-minute duration and 144.5-mile distance, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day. Consider an early morning departure to take advantage of lighter traffic, especially as you navigate the initial stretches on I-275 and I-4. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $23, you have flexibility in when and where you decide to take a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without an obvious exit point is over 60 miles on I-4, so topping off before that segment is a good idea.

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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 72.2 miles from St. Petersburg, FL, or about 1h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60.9 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 32 miles or 40m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 72.2 miles or 1h 25m 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 17m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sharpes, 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 144.5 miles and 2h 46m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 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 60.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Polk County, Florida, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Haines City, FL

72 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

Mango, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Auburndale, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 72.2 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 4 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 60.9 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop

Bandit Coffee Co.

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

St. Petersburg, Florida

Near the start, right off the route

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

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

Visit website

CFS Coffee For The Soul, Celebration

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kissimmee, Florida

1.1 mi

XO Coffee Shop

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kissimmee, Florida

1.6 mi

Best coffee break · first break window

The Lab Coffee - West Tampa

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tampa, Florida

Near the start, short detour

First break · 24min in 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

Visit website

World of Coffee

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Orlando, Florida

1.3 mi

The Under Grounds Coffee Co

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

St. Petersburg, Florida

1.3 mi

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

CFS Coffee For The Soul, Celebration

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Kissimmee, Florida

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+14072719145

Visit website

XO Coffee Shop

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Kissimmee, Florida

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+14075075607

Visit website

Retro House Coffee Bar & Asian Bistro

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 7:30 am–9 pm

+18138125025

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 Lab Coffee - West Tampa

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

Visit website

World of Coffee

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Orlando, Florida

Hours: 8:30 am–9 pm

+14072399262

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

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

Foxtail Coffee Co.

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10

Orlando, Florida

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+14073900219

Visit website

Elevation Coffee Heights

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

Visit website

The Lab Coffee - Heights

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+18138436588

Visit website

Coffee Uniting People - CUP

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+18134001110

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

First break 4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour

Clearwater, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the start, ~10 min detour

First break 4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour

Clearwater, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

10202

0.1 mi from route

10201

0.1 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.1 mi from route

I-4 Eastbound weighing station

0.1 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.1 mi from route

I-4 Westbound weighing station

0.2 mi from route

Flying J Travel Center

0.3 mi from route

TA

0.3 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.3 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.9 mi from route

Service Plaza

1.1 mi from route

Rest Area

2.4 mi from route

Rest Area

2.4 mi from route

Rest Area

2.4 mi from route

Flying J Travel Center

2.4 mi from route

Dinosaur World

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Plant City, Florida

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+18137179865

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

Cracker Country

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Tampa, Florida

+18136274225

Visit website

Dare 2 Escape - Escape Room Games

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour

Kissimmee, Florida

Hours: 11:30 am–10:30 pm

+14075070018

Visit website

Perry Harvey Sr. Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+18132748615

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

Magic Carpet Glide

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+18136379797

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

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 84.7 and 142.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

9
84.7 mi into trip | ~1h 38m in

Keep slight right at fork toward FL 417 North: Airport, Disney World, Celebration

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 62 Toward FL 417 North: Airport, Disney World, Cel...
8
111 mi into trip | ~2h 8m in

Take the exit toward FL 528: International Airport, Cocoa

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 FL 528: International Airport, Cocoa
8
111.2 mi into trip | ~2h 8m in

Keep slight right at fork toward FL 528 East: Cocoa, Kennedy Space Center

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

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward FL 528 East: Cocoa, Kennedy Space Center
8
141.9 mi into trip | ~2h 42m in

Take the exit toward US 1: Cocoa, Titusville

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Exit 46 Toward US 1: Cocoa, Titusville
8
142.1 mi into trip | ~2h 43m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 1 North: Titusville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward US 1 North: Titusville

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$23.00 one way

$46.00 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 51 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.40 $25.02 $50.04
premium $4.72 $26.87 $53.74
diesel $5.61 $31.90 $63.81

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$48–$73

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 50.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 43.4 0 $15.17 $6.94
Efficient EV 36.1 0 $12.64 $5.78
EV Truck/SUV 57.8 0 $20.23 $9.25

Gas CO2

51 kg

EV CO2

17 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 20, 2026

Origin

St. Petersburg, FL

Late night in St. Petersburg on Tuesday

Local time

5:13 AM

EDT

Current temp

86°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Sharpes, FL

Late night in Sharpes on Tuesday

Local time

5:13 AM

EDT

Current temp

88°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

2 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

2h 46m 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

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
Canaveral National Seashore

Canaveral National Seashore

National Seashore

Discover a dynamic barrier island shaped by dunes, coastal hammocks, and Mosquito Lagoon. Walk among ancient Timucua shell mounds and connect with thousands of years of human history. Immerse yourself...

24 mi from route ~61 min detour $25 near mile 144.5
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 leans heavily into its highway-focused profile, with 78% of the journey taking place on major interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 60.9 miles on I-4, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of your travel. You'll experience the efficiency of the interstate system for the majority of the drive, punctuated by transitions between I-4, Beachline Expressway, and I-275. While not a winding country road adventure, the highway nature ensures a predictable and often swift progression toward your destination.

78% 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: 60.9 mi on I 4.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 4 and Beachline Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 84.7 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 12 significant decision points across 144.5 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 84.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 111 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 111.2 miles: 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.

Between St. Petersburg, FL and Sharpes, FL, road signs point toward Disney World, Celebration, Cocoa and Kennedy Space Center.

Disney World

84.7 mi in | ~1h 38m

Celebration

84.7 mi in | ~1h 38m

Cocoa

111 mi in | ~2h 8m

Kennedy Space Center

111.2 mi in | ~2h 8m

About the Cities

Starting in St. Petersburg, FL

Full guide →

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.

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

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 46m. Total distance: 144.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 60.9 miles on I 4. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 15 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 Sharpes, 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 15 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

The main spots that need attention: at 84.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 111 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 111.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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

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

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