St. Petersburg to Winter Springs is 120.5 miles and takes about 2 hours 27 minutes via I-4 and I-275, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, connecting two points in the central part of the state. With 94% of the drive on highways, expect a straightforward trip focused on getting you to your destination efficiently. This route is a solid choice for a single-day drive, making it convenient for quick visits or commuting.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
60.2 miles from St. Petersburg, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 12m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 4
88.6 mi
1h 40m
I 275
21.4 mi
27m
Orlando Avenue
4.7 mi
8m
US 17 Truck
1.8 mi
3m
5th Avenue North
1.2 mi
2m
FL 434
1.2 mi
2m
34th Street South
0.4 mi
1m
Greenwood Road
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 4
— 88.6 mi, about 1h 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between St. Petersburg, FL and Winter Springs, 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 45BToward I 4 East: OrlandoUse 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 left at fork onto I 4
13 mi·16 min·I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 4
14 mi·17 min·I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit onto US 17 Truck; US 92 Truck
0.1 mi·17 sec·US 17 Truck; US 92 Truck
Exit 90A-BToward FL 414: ApopkaUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 17 Truck; US 92 Truck
0.1 mi·19 sec·US 17 Truck; US 92 Truck
Exit 90AToward FL 414 East: Maitland Boulevard, Sandspur Road, Maitland, Maitland Art CenterUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto US 17 Truck; US 92 Truck
1.5 mi·2 min·US 17 Truck; US 92 Truck
Exit 90AToward FL 414 East: Maitland
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward US 17 South, US 92 West
13
Continue on Greenwood Road
434 ft·9 sec·Greenwood Road
14
Turn left onto US 17; US 92
4.7 mi·8 min·Orlando Avenue
Use the straight lane.
15
Turn right onto FL 434
1.2 mi·2 min·FL 434
16
Continue on this road
150 ft·11 sec·this road
17
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 2 hour 27 minute drive, leaving in the morning should allow you to reach Winter Springs well before evening. The route is short enough that you can be flexible with stops, but consider a break around the halfway point if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 88.6-mile stretch on I-4, as services can be spaced out. The estimated fuel cost is $19, so plan accordingly. Since it’s a single-day trip, you have the advantage of a relaxed departure time.
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 60.2 miles from St. Petersburg, FL, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88.6 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 27 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.2 miles or 1h 12m 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 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Winter Springs, 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 120.5 miles and 2h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from St. Petersburg, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 4 for about 88.6 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 23.4 and 112.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
23.4 mi into trip|~31m in
Take the exit toward I 4 East: Orlando
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 45B
Toward I 4 East: Orlando
6
84.7 mi into trip|~1h 38m in|I 4
Keep slight left at fork onto I 4
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
98.1 mi into trip|~1h 55m in|I 4
Keep slight right at fork onto I 4
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
112.5 mi into trip|~2h 12m in|US 17 Truck; US 92 Truck
Take the exit onto US 17 Truck; US 92 Truck toward FL 414: Apopka
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 90A-B
Toward FL 414: Apopka
10
112.6 mi into trip|~2h 12m in|US 17 Truck; US 92 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto US 17 Truck; US 92 Truck toward FL 414 East: Maitland Boulevard, Sandspur Road, Maitland, Maitland Art Center
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 90A
Toward FL 414 East: Maitland Boulevard, Sandspu...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.18 one way
$38.36 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$20.86
$41.73
premium
$4.72
$22.41
$44.81
diesel
$5.61
$26.60
$53.21
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
36.2
0
$12.65
$5.78
Efficient EV
30.1
0
$10.54
$4.82
EV Truck/SUV
48.2
0
$16.87
$7.71
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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 15, 2026
Origin
St. Petersburg, FL
Afternoon
in St. Petersburg on Sunday
Local time
2:08 PM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Winter Springs, FL
Afternoon
in Winter Springs on Sunday
Local time
2:08 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
81°F
Polk City, FL
60 mi in
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
2h 27m 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
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...
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, with 94% of the 120.5 miles on major roads like I-4 and I-275. You'll experience an 88.6-mile stretch on I-4, indicating long periods of consistent highway cruising. Surface roads like Orlando Avenue become more prominent closer to your destination, likely bringing denser traffic and more frequent exits. Be prepared for the urban merging and exits common in the Orlando metropolitan area.
94% 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: 88.6 mi on I 4.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 4 and I 275. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 23.4 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 120.5 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 23.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 84.7 miles (I 4): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 98.1 miles (I 4): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Winter Springs, FL, road signs point toward Maitland and Maitland Art Center.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 27m. Total distance: 120.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 88.6 miles on I 4. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 14 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 Winter Springs, 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. There are 14 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 23.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 84.7 miles (I 4): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 98.1 miles (I 4): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — De Soto National Memorial. 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 Winter Springs, FL before heading back.
