Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 44m
Distance
255 mi
410 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
St. Petersburg, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Sunny Isles Beach, FL
Wikimedia Commons
St. Petersburg, FL to Sunny Isles Beach, FL is 255 miles and takes about 4h 44m via I 75 and Sunshine Skyway Bridge, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, offering a straightforward drive down the peninsula. Expect a high percentage of highway driving, making it a quick transit rather than a leisurely exploration. With only one recommended stop and a duration under five hours, this route is ideal for a same-day journey. Plan for a direct trip focused on reaching your destination efficiently.
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
127.5 miles from St. Petersburg, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 21m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 209.3 mi | 3h 44m |
| Sunshine Skyway Bridge | 13.4 mi | 15m |
| Port Everglades Expressway | 12.4 mi | 14m |
| I 95 | 7 mi | 8m |
| I 275 | 6 mi | 8m |
| William Lehman Causeway | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Ives Dairy Road | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| 31st Street South | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between St. Petersburg, FL and Sunny Isles Beach, FL.
Start on US 19
Turn right onto CR 150
Turn right onto 31st Street South
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 275
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 275; US 19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 275
Merge onto I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
Keep slight right at fork onto I 595
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 95
Take the exit
Turn left onto Ives Dairy Road
Turn right onto US 1
Turn left onto SR 856
Take the exit
Turn straight onto SR A1A
Turn right onto 189th Street
Arrive at destination
Given the 4h 44m duration, departing in the morning from St. Petersburg allows ample time to reach Sunny Isles Beach before evening. While the drive is manageable in one day, factor in potential traffic, especially closer to the Miami metropolitan area. The route is predominantly highway, so be mindful of your fuel levels, particularly during the 209.3-mile stretch on I 75. While only one stop is recommended, consider a brief break around the halfway point for refreshment. A practical tip: ensure your vehicle is in good condition, as this route is about consistent highway miles.
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.
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 56 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 127.5 miles or 2h 21m 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 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sunny Isles Beach, FL than in the middle of the route.
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 255 miles and 4h 44m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
128 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.
A short stop after about 56 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 127.5 miles from St. Petersburg, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 209.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 49.2 and 254.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
Take the exit toward I 95 South: Miami
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Northeast 203rd Street, Ives Dairy Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward SR A1A South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$40.59 one way
$81.18 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $44.15 | $88.31 |
| premium | $4.72 | $47.42 | $94.83 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $56.30 | $112.60 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.94
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
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 76.5 | 0 | $26.78 | $12.24 |
| Efficient EV | 63.8 | 0 | $22.31 | $10.20 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 102 | 1 | $35.70 | $16.32 |
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in St. Petersburg on Sunday
Local time
9:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Sunny
Destination
Morning in Sunny Isles Beach on Sunday
Local time
9:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
This is a highway-focused drive, with 92% of the route utilizing major expressways. You'll spend most of your time on I 75, experiencing a longest uninterrupted stretch of 209.3 miles. The Port Everglades Expressway marks the final approach to your destination. The character of this drive is predominantly fast-paced highway cruising, designed for covering distance effectively. Be prepared for consistent, high-speed travel for the majority of your trip.
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 around 49.2 miles in near I 75.
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 255 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 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; at 242.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from St. Petersburg, FL to Sunny Isles Beach, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Lauderdale along the way.
Fort Lauderdale
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 44m. Total distance: 255 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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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