Yulee, FL to St. Petersburg, FL is 243.2 miles and takes about 4h 49m via I 75 and I 275, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, moving from the northern part of the state down towards the Gulf Coast. The majority of this route is on interstates, making it a straightforward drive for those looking to get from point A to point B efficiently. You'll find it's a well-traveled corridor, so expect typical highway conditions for most of the way. It’s a solid choice for a single-day excursion.
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
121.6 miles from Yulee, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
82.7 mi
1h 28m
Sid Martin Highway
39 mi
48m
I 275
37.6 mi
45m
US 301
37.5 mi
47m
West Beltway
13.9 mi
16m
I 10
11.9 mi
12m
I 95
10.6 mi
11m
SR A1A
2.8 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 82.7 mi, about 1h 28m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 20 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,204 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,885
Quietest
2 AM
~334 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.6×
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 Yulee, FL and St. Petersburg, FL.
1
Start on this road
160 ft·14 sec·this road
2
At end of road, turn right onto SR A1A; FL 200
2.8 mi·4 min·SR A1A; FL 200
3
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward I 95 South: JacksonvilleUse the left lane.
4
Merge onto I 95
11 mi·11 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 362BToward I 295: West BeltwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 295
14 mi·16 min·West Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Exit 21BToward I 10 West: Lake CityUse the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 10
12 mi·12 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·37 sec
11
Merge onto US 301
0.1 mi·11 sec·US 301
12
Continue on US 301
37 mi·47 min·US 301
Use the left / straight lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto US 301
39 mi·48 min·Sid Martin Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
14
Turn right onto FL 326
1.5 mi·2 min·Northwest 70th Street
Use the right lane.
15
Continue on FL 326
1.2 mi·2 min·Northwest 77th Street
Use the straight lane.
16
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 75 South: Tampa
17
Merge onto I 75
83 mi·1 hr 28 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 275
38 mi·45 min·I 275
Exit 274Toward I 275 South: Tampa, Saint PetersburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 23BToward FL 595: Treasure Island, Florida Orange Groves WineryUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn right onto FL 595
1.2 mi·2 min·5th Avenue North
21
Turn left onto US 19
0.5 mi·1 min·34th Street North
Use the left lane.
22
Continue on US 19
323 ft·14 sec·34th Street South
23
Arrive at destination
US 19
Trip Plan
Starting your drive from Yulee in the morning is a good idea to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. With a total driving time of under 5 hours, you can comfortably complete this trip in one day without needing an overnight stop. You'll have about 243 miles to cover, so plan for one brief stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading into longer stretches like the 82.7 miles on I 75, as services can sometimes be more spread out between exits on major interstates. The fuel cost is estimated at $42, so factor that into your budget.
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 121.6 miles from Yulee, FL, or about 2h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.7 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 54 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 121.6 miles or 2h 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 54m
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 Yulee, 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 Yulee, FL
This is one driving day of about 243.2 miles and 4h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Yulee, 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 I 75 for about 82.7 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 2.8 and 241.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
2.8 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South: Jacksonville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 95 South: Jacksonville
7
13.8 mi into trip|~16m in
Take the exit toward I 295: West Beltway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 362B
Toward I 295: West Beltway
7
28.2 mi into trip|~33m in
Take the exit toward I 10 West: Lake City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 21B
Toward I 10 West: Lake City
9
203.6 mi into trip|~3h 59m in|I 275
Keep slight right at fork onto I 275 toward I 275 South: Tampa, Saint Petersburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 274
Toward I 275 South: Tampa, Saint Petersburg
8
241.2 mi into trip|~4h 45m 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
$36.82 one way
$73.63 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg85 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$40.40
$80.79
premium
$4.55
$43.57
$87.13
diesel
$4.80
$45.92
$91.84
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73
0
$25.54
$11.67
Efficient EV
60.8
0
$21.28
$9.73
EV Truck/SUV
97.3
1
$34.05
$15.56
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% 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
Yulee, FL
Afternoon
in Yulee on Sunday
Local time
1:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
93°F
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 5 to 9 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Destination
St. Petersburg, FL
Afternoon
in St. Petersburg on Sunday
Local time
1:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
SSE 7 to 13 mph69% chanceLive forecast
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
4 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 49m 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...
17 mi from route
~43 min detour
Free
near mile 243.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 74% of the route on interstates. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 82.7 miles on I 75 before transitioning to other main roads. Expect a lot of highway cruising, with frequent exits and changes in speed as you get closer to urban areas. The transition from rural to more developed areas will be noticeable as you progress south.
74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 82.7 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Sid Martin Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.8 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 17 significant decision points across 243.2 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 2.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 28.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
160 ft7 ft
Total Climb
223 ft
Total Descent
216 ft
Highest Point
160 ft
~69.5 mi in
Elevation Range
153 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 Yulee, FL to St. Petersburg, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Saint 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 4h 49m. Total distance: 243.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 82.7 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza 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 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 28.2 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at St. Petersburg, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
