Wekiwa Springs, FL to St. Petersburg, FL is 120.2 miles and takes about 2h 27m via I 4 and I 275, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that connects two points within Florida. With 95% of the journey on major highways, expect a quick trip primarily on I-4 and then I-275. It's a single-day adventure, ideal for those looking to get from point A to point B efficiently. Consider this route if your priority is speed and minimal fuss getting across the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
60.1 miles from Wekiwa Springs, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 4
92 mi
1h 45m
I 275
21.3 mi
26m
Wekiva Springs Road
1.9 mi
3m
5th Avenue North
1.2 mi
2m
FL 434
0.8 mi
1m
34th Street North
0.5 mi
1m
Sweetwater Boulevard South
0.4 mi
1m
Green Lake Circle
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 4
— 92 mi, about 1h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wekiwa Springs, FL and St. Petersburg, FL.
1
Start on Green Lake Circle
0.1 mi·25 sec·Green Lake Circle
2
Turn right onto Blue Lake Drive
371 ft·21 sec·Blue Lake Drive
3
Turn left onto Green Lake Drive
395 ft·18 sec·Green Lake Drive
4
Turn right onto Sweetwater Boulevard South
0.4 mi·1 min·Sweetwater Boulevard South
5
Turn right onto Wekiva Springs Road
1.9 mi·3 min·Wekiva Springs Road
6
Turn left onto FL 434
0.8 mi·1 min·FL 434
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward I 4 West: Tampa
8
Merge onto I 4
8.8 mi·11 min·I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 84BToward Ivanhoe BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
10
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·1 min·this road
Toward I 4 West: Tampa
11
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·34 sec·this road
Toward I 4 West: Tampa
12
Merge onto I 4
83 mi·1 hr 34 min·I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·40 sec
Toward I 275 South: Tampa International Airport, Saint PetersburgUse the slight left lane.
14
Merge onto I 275
21 mi·26 min·I 275
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 23BToward FL 595: Treasure Island, Florida Orange Groves WineryUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn right onto FL 595
1.2 mi·2 min·5th Avenue North
17
Turn left onto US 19
0.5 mi·1 min·34th Street North
Use the left lane.
18
Continue on US 19
323 ft·14 sec·34th Street South
19
Arrive at destination
US 19
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of about 2 hours and 27 minutes, this trip is easily completed in a single day. You can leave Wekiwa Springs at your leisure, perhaps after a morning activity, and still arrive in St. Petersburg with plenty of daylight. While there are no specific recommended stops noted for this route, the longest stretch on I-4 is 92 miles, so plan for a fuel or rest break before or after this segment if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you enter the more urban areas around St. Petersburg.
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 60.1 miles from Wekiwa Springs, FL, or about 1h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 92 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 26 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.1 miles or 1h 14m 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 58m
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 Wekiwa Springs, 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 Wekiwa Springs, FL
This is one driving day of about 120.2 miles and 2h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Wekiwa Springs, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 4 for about 92 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 0.1 and 118.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Blue Lake Drive
Turn right onto Blue Lake Drive
Navigation decision point
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|Green Lake Drive
Turn left onto Green Lake Drive
Navigation decision point
7
12.3 mi into trip|~19m in
Take the exit toward Ivanhoe Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 84B
Toward Ivanhoe Boulevard
8
96.5 mi into trip|~1h 56m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 275 South: Tampa International Airport, Saint Petersburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 275 South: Tampa International Airport...
8
118.2 mi into trip|~2h 23m in
Take the exit toward FL 595: Treasure Island, Florida Orange Groves Winery
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 23B
Toward FL 595: Treasure Island, Florida Orange...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.13 one way
$38.27 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$20.81
$41.63
premium
$4.72
$22.35
$44.70
diesel
$5.61
$26.54
$53.08
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: 42.1 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
36.1
0
$12.62
$5.77
Efficient EV
30.1
0
$10.52
$4.81
EV Truck/SUV
48.1
0
$16.83
$7.69
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 18, 2026
Origin
Wekiwa Springs, FL
Morning
in Wekiwa Springs on Sunday
Local time
7:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
St. Petersburg, FL
Morning
in St. Petersburg on Sunday
Local time
7:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Sunny
SSW 3 to 9 mph0% chanceLive 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
27 degrees warmer 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
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
17 mi from route
~43 min detour
Free
near mile 120.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is almost entirely a highway-focused drive, with 95% of the 120.2 miles spent on interstates. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on I-4, including a 92-mile stretch that is the longest uninterrupted segment. As you progress, the main change will be the transition from I-4 to I-275 as you approach the St. Petersburg area. Expect consistent highway speeds and minimal deviations from the main thoroughfare, making for a predictable driving experience.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 92 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 0.1 miles in near Blue Lake Drive.
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 120.2 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 0.1 miles (Blue Lake Drive): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Green Lake Drive): Navigation decision point; at 12.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
On the drive from Wekiwa Springs, FL to St. Petersburg, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Petersburg along the way.
Saint Petersburg
96.5 mi in|~1h 56m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 27m. Total distance: 120.2 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 (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 92 miles on I 4. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Blue Lake Drive): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Green Lake Drive): Navigation decision point; at 12.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 St. Petersburg, FL before heading back.
