Origin
St. Petersburg, FL
Morning in St. Petersburg on Sunday
Local time
9:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from St. Petersburg, FL to Sweetwater, FL
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 54m
Distance
83.6 mi
135 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 46m
★
6 AM
1h 54m
8 AM
2h 11m
10 AM
2h 0m
12 PM
1h 58m
3 PM
2h 1m
5 PM
2h 10m
8 PM
1h 49m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
St. Petersburg, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Sweetwater, FL
Matt Fitz Gibaud
Trip Overview
St. Petersburg, FL to Sweetwater, FL is 83.6 miles and takes about 1h 54m via State Road 64 East and I-75, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, offering a mostly local driving experience. Expect a route that involves frequent turns and changes in road type, making it more engaging than a straight interstate cruise. With a duration under two hours, it's an ideal candidate for a same-day excursion, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
41.8 miles from St. Petersburg, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 53m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| State Road 64 East | 40.9 mi | 53m |
| Sunshine Skyway Bridge | 13.4 mi | 15m |
| I 75 | 6.7 mi | 7m |
| US 17 | 6.1 mi | 7m |
| I 275 | 6 mi | 8m |
| Sweetwater Road | 5.9 mi | 14m |
| Bradenton-Arcadia Road | 2.4 mi | 2m |
| 31st Street South | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
State Road 64 East
— 40.9 mi, about 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between St. Petersburg, FL and Sweetwater, 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
6.7 mi
·
7 min
·
I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 220
Toward FL 64: Bradenton, Wauchula, Zolfo Springs
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward FL 64 East: Wauchula, Zolfo Springs
12
Turn straight onto FL 64
3.9 mi
·
6 min
·
State Road 64 East
Use the left lane.
13
Enter roundabout onto FL 64
130 ft
·
2 sec
·
State Road 64 East
14
Continue on FL 64
0.5 mi
·
47 sec
·
State Road 64 East
15
Enter roundabout onto FL 64
134 ft
·
2 sec
·
State Road 64 East
16
Continue on FL 64
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
State Road 64 East
17
Enter roundabout onto FL 64
150 ft
·
2 sec
·
State Road 64 East
18
Continue on FL 64
19 mi
·
23 min
·
State Road 64 East
19
Continue on FL 64
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Bradenton-Arcadia Road
20
Continue on FL 64
17 mi
·
21 min
·
State Road 64 East
21
Turn right onto US 17
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
US 17
22
Continue on US 17
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
US 17
23
Continue on US 17
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
US 17
24
Continue on US 17
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
US 17
25
Turn left onto Sweetwater Road
5.9 mi
·
14 min
·
Sweetwater Road
Use the left lane.
26
Turn right onto Crewsville Road
84 ft
·
2 sec
·
Crewsville Road
27
Arrive at destination
Crewsville Road
Trip Plan
Given the 1h 54m duration, this route is easily manageable in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to take advantage of daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. While there are no mandatory stops indicated, consider breaking up the drive if needed, especially during the 40.9-mile stretch on State Road 64 East. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as local road driving can sometimes be less predictable for finding services compared to major interstates; the estimated $13 fuel cost is a good baseline. Your flexibility is a key advantage on this shorter, turn-heavy route.
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 41.8 miles from St. Petersburg, FL, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 40.9 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 18 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.8 miles or 53m 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sweetwater, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from St. Petersburg, FL
This is one driving day of about 83.6 miles and 1h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from St. Petersburg, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on State Road 64 East for about 40.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
42 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 41.8 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 77.8 — 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
5
1.5 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
I 275
Merge onto I 275
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
27.8 mi into trip
|
~34m in
Take the exit toward FL 64: Bradenton, Wauchula, Zolfo Springs
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 220
Toward FL 64: Bradenton, Wauchula, Zolfo Spring...
6
28.1 mi into trip
|
~34m in
Keep slight left at fork toward FL 64 East: Wauchula, Zolfo Springs
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward FL 64 East: Wauchula, Zolfo Springs
6
77.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m in
|
Sweetwater Road
Turn left onto Sweetwater Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.31 one way
$26.61 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
29 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $14.48 | $28.95 |
| premium | $4.72 | $15.54 | $31.09 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.46 | $36.92 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.94
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
(13.4 mi)
$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
$13
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.1 | 0 | $8.78 | $4.01 |
| Efficient EV | 20.9 | 0 | $7.31 | $3.34 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 33.4 | 0 | $11.70 | $5.35 |
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Sweetwater, FL
Morning in Sweetwater on Sunday
Local time
9:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°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
24 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
1h 54m 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?
This drive is characterized as a turn-heavy local experience, with only 22% of the journey on highways. You'll navigate through a mix of local roads and highway stretches, so be prepared for frequent adjustments. The longest uninterrupted segment covers 40.9 miles on State Road 64 East, offering a brief period of more consistent driving before transitioning back to more intricate local routes. The road's personality shifts throughout the trip, demanding your attention as you move from one type of roadway to another.
Only 22% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 40.9 mi on State Road 64 East.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. 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 Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 83.6 miles you will encounter 16 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: near the start (CR 150 / Central Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.5 miles (I 275): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
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 Sweetwater, FL, road signs point toward Wauchula and Zolfo Springs.
Wauchula
27.8 mi in
|
~34m
Zolfo Springs
27.8 mi in
|
~34m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 54m. Total distance: 83.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 40.9 miles on State Road 64 East. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.94 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.
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 Sweetwater, FL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (CR 150 / Central Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.5 miles (I 275): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Sweetwater, 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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