St. Petersburg to Warrington is 494.6 miles and takes about 9h 6m via I-75, I-275, and I-10, with a fuel budget near $75 and an overnight stay recommended. This trip stays within Florida, traversing the state from its Gulf Coast to the Florida Panhandle. Most of the drive is on major highways, making it a straightforward trip for those looking to cover ground efficiently. With a recommended two days for the drive, you can comfortably break up the nearly 500 miles and enjoy the travel.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
247.3 miles from St. Petersburg, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
283.4 mi
5h 3m
I 75
160.3 mi
2h 51m
I 275
37.7 mi
46m
North Pace Boulevard
2.8 mi
5m
Reubin O'Donovan Askew Parkway
2.7 mi
3m
Barrancas Avenue
2.5 mi
4m
East Fairfield Drive
1.2 mi
2m
5th Avenue North
1.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 283.4 mi, about 5h 3m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 108 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,233 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,761
Quietest
2 AM
~150 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 102 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between St. Petersburg, FL and Warrington, 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
38 mi·46 min·I 275
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Merge onto I 75
160 mi·2 hr 51 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·15 sec
Exit 435Toward I 10: Jacksonville, TallahasseeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·30 sec
Toward I 10 West: TallahasseeUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 10
283 mi·5 hr 3 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 12Toward I 110 South: Pensacola, Pensacola BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 110
2.7 mi·3 min·Reubin O'Donovan Askew Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Exit 4Toward FL 295: Fairfield DriveUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward FL 295 South
13
Turn straight onto FL 295
1.2 mi·2 min·East Fairfield Drive
14
Turn left onto FL 292
2.8 mi·5 min·North Pace Boulevard
15
Turn right onto FL 292
2.5 mi·4 min·Barrancas Avenue
Use the left lane.
16
Turn left onto 2nd Street
0.3 mi·59 sec·2nd Street
Use the left lane.
17
Turn left onto East Palmetto Avenue
341 ft·14 sec·East Palmetto Avenue
18
Arrive at destination
East Palmetto Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 9h 6m duration, planning for an overnight stop is wise. Aim to leave St. Petersburg in the morning to make good progress before stopping for the night. Consider splitting the drive roughly in half, perhaps around the Pensacola area or slightly east, to break up the 494.6 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 283.4-mile stretch on I-10, as services can be more spread out in certain sections. Budgeting around $75 for fuel should cover your needs for this trip.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 247.3 miles from St. Petersburg, FL, or about 4h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 283.4 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 109 miles or 2h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 247.3 miles or 4h 33m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 247.3 miles or 4h 33m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Warrington, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from St. Petersburg, FL
Aim for roughly 247 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Warrington, FL
Aim for roughly 247 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 109 miles from St. Petersburg, FL.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 10 for about 283.4 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 199.9 and 487.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
199.9 mi into trip|~3h 42m in
Take the exit toward I 10: Jacksonville, Tallahassee
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 435
Toward I 10: Jacksonville, Tallahassee
8
200.1 mi into trip|~3h 43m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 West: Tallahassee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 10 West: Tallahassee
8
483.8 mi into trip|~8h 47m in
Take the exit toward I 110 South: Pensacola, Pensacola Beach
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 12
Toward I 110 South: Pensacola, Pensacola Beach
7
487.4 mi into trip|~8h 51m in
Take the exit toward FL 295: Fairfield Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 4
Toward FL 295: Fairfield Drive
6
487.7 mi into trip|~8h 52m in
Keep slight right at fork toward FL 295 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward FL 295 South
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$80.62 one way
$161.23 round trip
$4.14/gal25.4 MPG avg173 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$89.75
$179.50
premium
$4.94
$96.23
$192.47
diesel
$6.08
$118.43
$236.86
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$81
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$211–$321
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 173.1 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $52 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
148.4
1
$51.93
$23.74
Efficient EV
123.7
1
$43.28
$19.78
EV Truck/SUV
197.8
2
$69.24
$31.65
Gas CO2
173 kg
EV CO2
58 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Oct 18, 2026
Origin
St. Petersburg, FL
Night
in St. Petersburg on Sunday
Local time
9:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Mostly Clear
NNE 14 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 18 at 2:56AM EDT until October 20 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 18 at 2:21AM EDT until October 18 at 11:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Destination
Warrington, FL
Evening
in Warrington on Sunday
Local time
8:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Clear
NE 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 18 at 2:56AM EDT until October 20 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 18 at 2:21AM EDT until October 18 at 11:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
Time zone
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
6 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
9h 6m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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.
Gulf Islands National Seashore
National Seashore
Millions of visitors are drawn to the Gulf of America for Gulf Islands National Seashore's emerald coast waters, magnificent white beaches, fertile marshes and historical landscapes. Come explore with...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
$25
near mile 494.6
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 98% of the trip on major interstates. You'll experience a very long stretch of 283.4 miles on I-10, which means extended periods of consistent cruising. Expect numerous exits and potential merging traffic as you navigate through different urban and rural areas. The transition from more developed areas to the open road will be noticeable during this long interstate segment.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 283.4 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and I 75. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 199.9 miles in.
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 15 significant decision points across 494.6 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 199.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 200.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 483.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
273 ft8 ft
Total Climb
416 ft
Total Descent
450 ft
Highest Point
273 ft
~424 mi in
Elevation Range
265 ft
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 Warrington, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Tallahassee along the way.
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.
Top landmarks
•Salvador Dalí Museum — art museum in St. Petersburg, Florida, United States
•Vinoy Park Hotel — historic hotel in St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
•Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg, Florida, USA — museum in St. Petersburg, Florida
The longest stretch is about 283.4 miles on I 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 247 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza 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 Warrington, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 199.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 200.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 483.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Gulf Islands National Seashore and De Soto National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 9.1 hours each way, a round trip means 18.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Warrington, FL before the return drive.
