Leon County Rest Area Westbound
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Wright, FL to St. Petersburg, FL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
8h 27m
Distance
425.1 mi
684 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$64
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
8h 20m
★
6 AM
8h 27m
8 AM
8h 43m
10 AM
8h 33m
12 PM
8h 31m
3 PM
8h 34m
5 PM
8h 42m
8 PM
8h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Wright, FL
Matt Fitz Gibaud
St. Petersburg, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Wright, FL to St. Petersburg, FL is 425.1 miles and takes about 8h 27m via I 10 and US 19, with a fuel budget near $67 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, taking you from the Florida Panhandle down to the Tampa Bay area. With a high percentage of highway driving, expect a fairly direct route. This drive is best split over two days to allow for a more relaxed pace and exploration of potential stops along the way.
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
212.5 miles from Wright, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 4m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 10 | 154.8 mi | 2h 45m |
| US 19 | 110.2 mi | 2h 19m |
| Suncoast Parkway | 54.3 mi | 58m |
| Florida Georgia Parkway | 37.2 mi | 47m |
| North Partin Drive | 17.4 mi | 22m |
| I 275 | 15.4 mi | 18m |
| Veterans Expressway | 6.9 mi | 8m |
| FL 589 Toll Express Lane | 5.3 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 154.8 mi, about 2h 45m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 26 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,374 veh/hr typical · worst 1,764
Quietest
2 AM
~151 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Wright, FL and St. Petersburg, FL.
1
Start on FL 189
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
Beal Parkway Northwest
2
Continue on FL 189
5.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Lewis Turner Boulevard
3
Turn sharp left onto FL 85
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Eglin Parkway
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on FL 85
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Eglin Parkway
Use the right lane.
5
Continue on FL 85
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Government Avenue
6
Turn left onto FL 85
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
West John Sims Parkway
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
7
Turn left onto FL 285
17 mi
·
22 min
·
North Partin Drive
Use the left lane.
8
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Toward I 10 East: Tallahassee
9
Merge onto I 10
155 mi
·
2 hr 45 min
·
I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 225
Toward US 19: Florida-Georgia Parkway, Monticello, Perry
11
Turn right onto US 19
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Florida Georgia Parkway
12
At end of road, turn left onto US 19; US 27
32 mi
·
41 min
·
Florida Georgia Parkway
13
Continue on US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate
55 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
·
US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate
14
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.
15
Turn left onto FL 44
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast 5th Street
Use the left lane.
16
Continue on FL 44
4.7 mi
·
7 min
·
Gulf to Lake Highway
17
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward FL 589 Toll: Suncoast Parkway
18
Merge onto FL 589 Toll
54 mi
·
58 min
·
Suncoast Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto FL 589 Toll
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Veterans Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto FL 589 Toll
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Veterans Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 589 Toll
5.3 mi
·
6 min
·
FL 589 Toll Express Lane
22
Merge onto FL 589 Toll
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Veterans Expressway
Toward Tampa:St. Petersburg
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on FL 60
0.2 mi
·
13 sec
·
Memorial Highway
Toward FL 60: Tampa, St. Petersburg
24
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 60
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Memorial Highway
Toward FL 60: Tampa, St. Petersburg
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 275 South: Saint Petersburg
Use the slight right lane.
26
Merge onto I 275
15 mi
·
18 min
·
I 275
Toward I 275: Saint Petersburg
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 23B
Toward FL 595: Treasure Island, Florida Orange Groves Winery
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Turn right onto FL 595
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
5th Avenue North
29
Turn left onto US 19
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
34th Street North
Use the left lane.
30
Continue on US 19
323 ft
·
14 sec
·
34th Street South
31
Arrive at destination
US 19
Trip Plan
Given the 8h 27m estimated drive time, splitting this trip over two days is highly recommended. Aim to depart Wright, FL in the morning to make good progress on I 10. Plan for your first day to cover roughly half the distance, finding an overnight stop around the halfway point. On day two, you'll continue on US 19 and the Suncoast Parkway towards St. Petersburg. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the longest stretch without a significant break is over 150 miles.
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 212.5 miles from Wright, FL, or about 4h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 154.8 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 94 miles or 1h 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 212.5 miles or 4h 4m 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 212.5 miles or 4h 4m
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 14m
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 Wright, 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 Wright, FL
Aim for roughly 213 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into St. Petersburg, FL
Aim for roughly 213 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 94 miles from Wright, 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 154.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
213 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Gainesville, FLOvernight Options
Night 1
213 mi · about 4.2h in
A practical overnight split lands near Gainesville, FL after about 213 miles or 4.2 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 94 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 212.5 miles from Wright, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 154.8 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 213 miles or 4.2 hours on the road.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Leon County Rest Area Eastbound
0.1 mi from route
Taylor County Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Gadsden County Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Jackson County Rest Area Westbound
0.1 mi from route
Jackson County Rest Area Eastbound
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Ponce de Leon Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Holmes County Rest Area
0.4 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 205 decision points cluster between mile 185.2 and 423 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
185.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 29m in
Take the exit toward US 19: Florida-Georgia Parkway, Monticello, Perry
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 225
Toward US 19: Florida-Georgia Parkway, Monticel...
6
277.7 mi into trip
|
~5h 26m 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
394.8 mi into trip
|
~7h 47m 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.
8
405.6 mi into trip
|
~8h 1m 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
423 mi into trip
|
~8h 22m 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
$64.35 one way
$128.70 round trip
$3.85/gal
25.4 MPG avg
149 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $70.61 | $141.22 |
| premium | $4.55 | $76.15 | $152.30 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $80.27 | $160.53 |
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
$64
Tolls
$4
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$198–$308
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 148.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $45 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 127.5 | 1 | $44.64 | $20.40 |
| Efficient EV | 106.3 | 1 | $37.20 | $17.00 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 170 | 2 | $59.51 | $27.21 |
Gas CO2
149 kg
EV CO2
50 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.
Origin
Wright, FL
Morning in Wright on Sunday
Local time
10:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Mostly Clear
W 5 mph
3% chance
Live forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 16 at 11:29AM EDT until July 17 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Destination
St. Petersburg, FL
Morning in St. Petersburg on Sunday
Local time
11:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
NW 5 to 9 mph
43% chance
Live forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 16 at 11:29AM EDT until July 17 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne 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 later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
1 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
8h 27m 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.
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 425.1
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 92% of it on high-speed roads. You'll spend the longest stretch, 154.8 miles, on I 10. The transition to surface roads will occur as you move from the interstate system onto US 19. Be prepared for a more rural cruising feel as you approach and travel through the more southerly parts of Florida.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 154.8 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and US 19. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 185.2 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 20 significant decision points across 425.1 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 185.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 277.7 miles (US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 394.8 miles (FL 589 Toll / Veterans Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
228 ft
9 ft
Total Climb
380 ft
Total Descent
381 ft
Highest Point
228 ft
~30.4 mi in
Elevation Range
220 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Wright, FL and St. Petersburg, FL, road signs point toward Monticello and Perry.
Monticello
185.2 mi in
|
~3h 29m
Perry
185.2 mi in
|
~3h 29m
About the Cities
Starting in Wright, FL
Full guide →Arriving in St. Petersburg, FL
Full guide →Founded 1876
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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 154.8 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 213 miles on day one.
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.
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 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. There are 14 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 185.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 277.7 miles (US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 394.8 miles (FL 589 Toll / Veterans Expressway): 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.5 hours each way, a round trip means 16.9 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.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From St. Petersburg, FL
More trips to St. Petersburg, FL
Explore more options from Wright, FL or browse trips ending in St. Petersburg, FL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse FL road trips.