Three Lakes to St. Petersburg is 263 miles and takes about 4 hours 55 minutes via Alligator Alley, Okeechobee Road, and Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, moving from the central part of the state to the west coast. The majority of the route is on surface roads, offering a more local driving experience than a pure interstate trip. With only one recommended stop, it’s designed for efficient travel, making it ideal for a single-day journey.
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
131.5 miles from Three Lakes, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Alligator Alley
203.5 mi
3h 38m
Okeechobee Road
17.6 mi
22m
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
16.6 mi
19m
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
14.3 mi
16m
I 275
5.7 mi
7m
Southwest 127th Avenue
1 mi
2m
Southwest 120th Street
0.9 mi
1m
31st Street South
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Alligator Alley
— 203.5 mi, about 3h 38m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 46 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,826 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,424
Quietest
2 AM
~185 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Three Lakes, FL and St. Petersburg, FL.
1
Start on Southwest 127th Avenue
1.0 mi·2 min·Southwest 127th Avenue
2
Turn right onto Southwest 120th Street
0.9 mi·1 min·Southwest 120th Street
3
Turn left
261 ft·6 sec
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll NorthUse the left lane.
4
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll North
5
Merge onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
1.1 mi·1 min·Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
6
Keep slight right at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
16 mi·17 min·Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 35Toward US 27: Okeechobee RoadUse the right lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·15 sec
Toward US 27: Okeechobee Road
9
Merge onto US 27
18 mi·22 min·Okeechobee Road
Use the right lane.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 75: Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Naples
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 75 North: Naples
12
Merge onto I 75
203 mi·3 hr 38 min·Alligator Alley
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit onto I 275
5.7 mi·7 min·I 275
Exit 228Toward I 275 North: Saint PetersburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·19 sec
15
Merge onto I 275; US 19
14 mi·16 min·Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Exit 20Toward 31st Street SouthUse the slight left lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork
161 ft·9 sec
Toward Winery, Treasure Island, Tropicana Field
18
Turn left onto 31st Street South
0.4 mi·58 sec·31st Street South
19
Turn left onto 5th Avenue South
0.2 mi·39 sec·5th Avenue South
20
Turn right onto US 19
0.3 mi·40 sec·34th Street South
21
Arrive at destination
US 19
Trip Plan
Given the 4 hour 55 minute drive time, leaving in the morning will give you plenty of daylight to complete this trip comfortably in one day. Plan for one stop to break up the drive, perhaps around the halfway point or where you transition from longer highway stretches to surface roads. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading onto Alligator Alley, as services can be more spread out on that particular road. The relatively short duration means you have flexibility in your departure time and how you pace your single planned stop.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 131.5 miles from Three Lakes, FL, or about 2h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 203.5 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 58 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 131.5 miles or 2h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near St. Petersburg, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Three Lakes, 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 Three Lakes, FL
This is one driving day of about 263 miles and 4h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Three Lakes, 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 Alligator Alley for about 203.5 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.9 and 262 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.9 mi into trip|~4m in
Turn left toward Florida's Turnpike Toll North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll North
7
18.9 mi into trip|~24m in
Take the exit toward US 27: Okeechobee Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 35
Toward US 27: Okeechobee Road
7
241.4 mi into trip|~4h 27m in|I 275
Take the exit onto I 275 toward I 275 North: Saint Petersburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 228
Toward I 275 North: Saint Petersburg
7
261.7 mi into trip|~4h 52m in
Take the exit toward 31st Street South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 20
Toward 31st Street South
7
262 mi into trip|~4h 52m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Winery, Treasure Island, Tropicana Field
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Winery, Treasure Island, Tropicana Field
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.81 one way
$79.62 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$43.68
$87.37
premium
$4.55
$47.11
$94.22
diesel
$4.80
$49.66
$99.32
Estimated Tolls: $2.00
Homestead Extension
(16.6 mi)$1.00
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
(14.3 mi)$1.00
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
$40
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78.9
0
$27.62
$12.62
Efficient EV
65.8
0
$23.01
$10.52
EV Truck/SUV
105.2
1
$36.82
$16.83
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Three Lakes, FL
Late night
in Three Lakes on Sunday
Local time
4:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Mostly Cloudy
SE 3 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 17 at 3:45AM EDT until July 18 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Destination
St. Petersburg, FL
Late night
in St. Petersburg on Sunday
Local time
4:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 5 mph21% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 17 at 3:45AM EDT until July 18 at 4:00AM 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.
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
1 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
4h 55m on the road
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.
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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 244.9
Within sight of Miami, yet worlds away, Biscayne protects a rare combination of aquamarine waters, emerald islands, and fish-bejeweled coral reefs. Evidence of 10,000 years of human history is here to...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 8% of your time on highways, meaning most of this 263-mile trip is on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on a major road is 203.5 miles, primarily on Alligator Alley. After this extensive highway segment, expect a transition to more local routes with frequent intersections and varied speed limits as you approach your destination.
Only 8% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 203.5 mi on Alligator Alley.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 around 1.9 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 19 significant decision points across 263 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 1.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 18.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 241.4 miles (I 275): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
45 ft8 ft
Total Climb
79 ft
Total Descent
44 ft
Highest Point
45 ft
~37.6 mi in
Elevation Range
37 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Three Lakes, FL and St. Petersburg, FL, road signs point toward Fort Lauderdale and Naples.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 55m. Total distance: 263 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 203.5 miles on Alligator Alley. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.00 in tolls one way, starting with Homestead Extension. 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.
Yes — we found about 16 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 St. Petersburg, 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 16 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 18.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 241.4 miles (I 275): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — De Soto National Memorial and Biscayne National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at St. Petersburg, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
