Wewahitchka to St. Petersburg is 328.5 miles and takes about 7h 2m via Byron Butler Parkway and US 19, with a fuel budget near $52 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within Florida, transitioning from the Panhandle region towards the Tampa Bay area. With a highway share of 69%, you'll experience a significant portion of your trip on faster roads. This route is a solid option for a single-day drive, offering a direct path to your destination without requiring an overnight stay.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
164.2 miles from Wewahitchka, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 39m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Wewahitchka, FL and St. Petersburg, FL.
1
Start on FL 22
64 ft·9 sec·FL 22
2
Turn left onto FL 71
27 mi·38 min·North 2nd Street
3
Turn right onto FL 20
25 mi·35 min·East Central Avenue
4
Continue on FL 20; FL 267
0.6 mi·52 sec·Jackson Bluff Road
5
Continue on FL 267
31 mi·42 min·FL 267
6
At end of road, turn left onto US 98
39 mi·49 min·Coastal Highway
7
Turn right onto US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate; US 221 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 14 min·Byron Butler Parkway
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate
55 mi·1 hr 10 min·US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate
Use the left lane.
9
Turn left onto FL 44
0.9 mi·1 min·Northeast 5th Street
Use the left lane.
10
Continue on FL 44
4.7 mi·7 min·Gulf to Lake Highway
11
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward FL 589 Toll: Suncoast Parkway
12
Merge onto FL 589 Toll
54 mi·58 min·Suncoast Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto FL 589 Toll
1.6 mi·1 min·Veterans Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto FL 589 Toll
3.9 mi·4 min·Veterans Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 589 Toll
5.3 mi·6 min·FL 589 Toll Express Lane
16
Merge onto FL 589 Toll
1.5 mi·2 min·Veterans Expressway
Toward Tampa:St. PetersburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on FL 60
0.2 mi·13 sec·Memorial Highway
Toward FL 60: Tampa, St. Petersburg
18
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 60
1.1 mi·1 min·Memorial Highway
Toward FL 60: Tampa, St. PetersburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
1.0 mi·2 min
Toward I 275 South: Saint PetersburgUse the slight right lane.
20
Merge onto I 275
15 mi·18 min·I 275
Toward I 275: Saint PetersburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 23BToward FL 595: Treasure Island, Florida Orange Groves WineryUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn right onto FL 595
1.2 mi·2 min·5th Avenue North
23
Turn left onto US 19
0.5 mi·1 min·34th Street North
Use the left lane.
24
Continue on US 19
323 ft·14 sec·34th Street South
25
Arrive at destination
US 19
Trip Plan
Given the 7h 2m estimated drive time, starting your trip in Wewahitchka before 9 AM should allow you to arrive in St. Petersburg with plenty of daylight remaining. While this route is feasible in one day, it's a substantial drive, so plan for your two recommended stops to include breaks for stretching and refueling. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 58.3-mile stretch on Byron Butler Parkway, as services might be less frequent in that section. Your estimated fuel cost is around $52, so factor that into your budget.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 164.2 miles from Wewahitchka, FL, or about 3h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.3 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 72 miles or 1h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 164.2 miles or 3h 39m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 50m
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 Wewahitchka, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Wewahitchka, FL
This is one driving day of about 328.5 miles and 7h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 miles from Wewahitchka, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Byron Butler Parkway for about 58.3 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 181.1 and 326.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
181.1 mi into trip|~4h 1m in|US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate
Keep slight right at fork onto US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
298.2 mi into trip|~6h 22m in|FL 589 Toll / Veterans Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto FL 589 Toll / Veterans Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
307.3 mi into trip|~6h 33m in|FL 589 Toll / Veterans Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Tampa:St. Petersburg
8
309 mi into trip|~6h 36m in|FL 60 / Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 60 / Memorial Highway toward FL 60: Tampa, St. Petersburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward FL 60: Tampa, St. Petersburg
8
326.4 mi into trip|~6h 58m 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
$49.73 one way
$99.46 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg115 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$54.56
$109.13
premium
$4.55
$58.85
$117.69
diesel
$4.80
$62.03
$124.05
Estimated Tolls: $3.82
Suncoast Parkway
(54.3 mi)$3.26
Veterans Expressway
(6.9 mi)$0.56
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
$50
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 114.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
98.6
1
$34.49
$15.77
Efficient EV
82.1
0
$28.74
$13.14
EV Truck/SUV
131.4
1
$45.99
$21.02
Gas CO2
115 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (67% 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Wewahitchka, FL
Late night
in Wewahitchka on Sunday
Local time
4:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
96°F
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NW 5 mph29% 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
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 2:50AM EDT until July 17 at 7:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Destination
St. Petersburg, FL
Late night
in St. Petersburg on Sunday
Local time
5:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
91°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WNW 6 to 9 mph74% 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
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 2:50AM EDT until July 17 at 7:00PM EDT by NWS Miami 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
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
5 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
7h 2m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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 328.5
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 69% of this 328.5-mile trip on highways. The longest continuous stretch without a significant change in road type is 58.3 miles on Byron Butler Parkway. Expect a transition from more rural highway cruising to areas with more frequent exits as you approach the St. Petersburg area. The latter part of the drive will likely involve more merging and traffic as you get closer to the urban center.
69% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 58.3 mi on Byron Butler Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Byron Butler Parkway and US 19. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 181.1 miles in near US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate.
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 17 significant decision points across 328.5 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 181.1 miles (US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 298.2 miles (FL 589 Toll / Veterans Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 307.3 miles (FL 589 Toll / Veterans Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
85 ft8 ft
Total Climb
142 ft
Total Descent
146 ft
Highest Point
85 ft
~46.9 mi in
Elevation Range
77 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 Wewahitchka, FL to St. Petersburg, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Tampa:st. Petersburg 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
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 2m. Total distance: 328.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 2m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 58.3 miles on Byron Butler Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.82 in tolls one way, starting with Suncoast Parkway. 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 181.1 miles (US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 298.2 miles (FL 589 Toll / Veterans Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 307.3 miles (FL 589 Toll / Veterans Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — De Soto National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.0 hours each way, a round trip means 14.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at St. Petersburg, FL before the return drive.
