Origin
Alturas, FL
Morning in Alturas on Wednesday
Local time
7:05 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Alturas, FL to St. Petersburg, FL
Data updated 1 hour ago
Drive Time
1h 44m
Distance
78.8 mi
127 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 37m
★
6 AM
1h 45m
8 AM
2h 0m
10 AM
1h 50m
12 PM
1h 49m
3 PM
1h 51m
5 PM
2h 0m
8 PM
1h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Alturas, FL
DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ
St. Petersburg, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Alturas, FL to St. Petersburg, FL covers 78.8 miles and takes about 1h 44m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 4, I 275, Polk Parkway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 25.7 miles on I 4. At current regular gas prices, budget about $12.54 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
39.4 miles from Alturas, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 55m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 1h 44m highway drive covering 78.8 miles, with most of the trip on I 4 and I 275. The longest continuous stretch is about 25.7 miles on I 4.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 4 is the longest continuous segment at about 25.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 5.3 miles in near FL 60.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 78.8 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 5.3 miles (FL 60): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.5 miles (US 98 / Broadway Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 28.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
5.3 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
FL 60
At end of road, turn left onto FL 60
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
10.5 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
US 98 / Broadway Avenue
Turn right onto US 98 / Broadway Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
28.3 mi into trip
|
~42m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 4 West: Tampa
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 4 West: Tampa
8
55 mi into trip
|
~1h 13m 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
76.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 40m 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...
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 Alturas, FL to St. Petersburg, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Petersburg along the way.
Saint Petersburg
55 mi in
|
~1h 13m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 4 | 25.7 mi | 28m |
| I 275 | 21.3 mi | 26m |
| Polk Parkway | 9.9 mi | 11m |
| Bartow Road | 7 mi | 9m |
| FL 60 | 4.6 mi | 6m |
| Cox Road | 2.4 mi | 5m |
| 80 Foot Road | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| 5th Avenue North | 1.2 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 4
— 25.7 mi, about 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alturas, FL and St. Petersburg, FL.
1
Start on Central Avenue
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Central Avenue
2
Turn left onto CR 655A
2.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Cox Road
3
At end of road, turn right onto CR 655A
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
80 Foot Road
4
At end of road, turn left onto FL 60
4.6 mi
·
6 min
·
FL 60
Use the straight lane.
5
Turn left onto US 98; FL 60
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Van Fleet Drive
Use the left lane.
6
Turn right onto US 98
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Broadway Avenue
Use the right lane.
7
Continue on US 98
7.0 mi
·
9 min
·
Bartow Road
Use the left lane.
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward FL 570 Toll West: Polk Parkway West
Use the right lane.
9
Merge onto FL 570 Toll
9.9 mi
·
11 min
·
Polk Parkway
Use the right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
1.1 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 4 West: Tampa
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 4
26 mi
·
28 min
·
I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
Toward I 275 South: Tampa International Airport, Saint Petersburg
Use the slight left lane.
13
Merge onto I 275
21 mi
·
26 min
·
I 275
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
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.
15
Turn right onto FL 595
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
5th Avenue North
16
Turn left onto US 19
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
34th Street North
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on US 19
323 ft
·
14 sec
·
34th Street South
18
Arrive at destination
US 19
Trip Plan
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 39.4 miles from Alturas, FL, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 25.7 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 78.8 miles or 1h 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.4 miles or 55m 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 28m
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 Alturas, 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 Alturas, FL
This is one driving day of about 78.8 miles and 1h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Alturas, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 4 for about 25.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 39.4 mi from Alturas, FL · 55m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
39 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 78.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 39.4 miles from Alturas, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in St. Petersburg, FL
The final approach into St. Petersburg, FL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around St. Petersburg, FL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.54 one way
$25.09 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
28 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $13.64 | $27.29 |
| premium | $4.72 | $14.65 | $29.30 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $17.40 | $34.80 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.6 | 0 | $8.27 | $3.78 |
| Efficient EV | 19.7 | 0 | $6.90 | $3.15 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 31.5 | 0 | $11.03 | $5.04 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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.
Destination
St. Petersburg, FL
Morning in St. Petersburg on Wednesday
Local time
7:05 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Mostly Cloudy
E 7 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 14 at 3:52AM EDT until April 15 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued April 14 at 2:14AM CDT until April 14 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 44m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Alturas, FL to St. Petersburg, FL covers 78.8 miles and takes about 1h 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 4, I 275, Polk Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 39.4 miles from Alturas, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.54 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 78.8 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.3 miles (FL 60): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.5 miles (US 98 / Broadway Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 28.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Alturas, FL to St. Petersburg, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Petersburg along the way.
Was this route 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 Alturas, FL or browse trips ending in St. Petersburg, FL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse FL road trips.
Explore maps for Alturas, FL or St. Petersburg, FL on MapSof.net.