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Trip from Fellsmere, FL to St. Petersburg, FL

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 20m

Distance

157.5 mi

253 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 8m ★
6 AM
3h 20m
8 AM
3h 44m
10 AM
3h 29m
12 PM
3h 26m
3 PM
3h 30m
5 PM
3h 43m
8 PM
3h 13m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Fellsmere, FL, FL

Fellsmere, FL

DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ

city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States

St. Petersburg, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Fellsmere, FL to St. Petersburg, FL covers 157.5 miles and takes about 3h 20m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on FL 60, I 4, I 275 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 78.5 miles on FL 60. At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.07 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

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

78.7 miles from Fellsmere, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 41m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
FL 60 78.5 mi 1h 39m
I 4 25.7 mi 28m
I 275 21.3 mi 26m
Pennsylvania Avenue 10.1 mi 14m
Polk Parkway 9.9 mi 11m
Bartow Road 7 mi 9m
5th Avenue North 1.2 mi 2m
Van Fleet Drive 0.6 mi 1m
Longest stretch: FL 60 — 78.5 mi, about 1h 39m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fellsmere, FL and St. Petersburg, FL.

1

Start on this road

56 ft · 6 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto CR 512

10 mi · 14 min · Pennsylvania Avenue
3

Turn right onto FL 60

14 mi · 15 min · FL 60
4

Continue on FL 60

65 mi · 1 hr 23 min · FL 60
Use the left 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

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 78.7 miles from Fellsmere, FL, or about 1h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.5 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 35 miles or 44m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 78.7 miles or 1h 41m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 43m

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 Fellsmere, 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 Fellsmere, FL

This is one driving day of about 157.5 miles and 3h 20m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Fellsmere, 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 FL 60 for about 78.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

county seat of Polk County, Florida, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bartow, FL

79 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

Frostproof, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Eagle Lake, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 78.7 miles from Fellsmere, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before FL 60 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 78.5 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 89.3 and 155.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
89.3 mi into trip | ~1h 55m in | US 98 / Broadway Avenue

Turn right onto US 98 / Broadway Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
5
96.9 mi into trip | ~2h 6m in

Take the ramp toward FL 570 Toll West: Polk Parkway West

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward FL 570 Toll West: Polk Parkway West
7
107 mi into trip | ~2h 18m 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
133.8 mi into trip | ~2h 48m 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
155.5 mi into trip | ~3h 15m 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

$25.07 one way

$50.14 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 55 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.40 $27.27 $54.54
premium $4.72 $29.29 $58.57
diesel $5.61 $34.77 $69.55

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$25

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$50–$75

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 55.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 47.3 0 $16.54 $7.56
Efficient EV 39.4 0 $13.78 $6.30
EV Truck/SUV 63 0 $22.05 $10.08

Gas CO2

55 kg

EV CO2

18 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 14, 2026

Origin

Fellsmere, FL

Afternoon in Fellsmere on Saturday

Local time

1:28 PM

EDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

St. Petersburg, FL

Afternoon in St. Petersburg on Saturday

Local time

1:28 PM

EDT

Current temp

65°F

Mostly Clear

NE 7 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Rip Current Statement

Rip Current Statement issued April 14 at 4:28PM EDT until April 16 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL

Rip Current Statement

Rip Current Statement issued April 14 at 12:29PM EDT until April 15 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Tallahassee 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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

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

3h 20m 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

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 157.5
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

157.5 mi in 3h 20m, mostly highway — 78.5 mi of that is on FL 60.

86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 78.5 mi on FL 60.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on FL 60 and I 4. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 89.3 miles in near US 98 / Broadway Avenue.

Driving Effort 7/10

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 157.5 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 89.3 miles (US 98 / Broadway Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 96.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 107 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Fellsmere, FL to St. Petersburg, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Petersburg along the way.

Saint Petersburg

133.8 mi in | ~2h 48m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 20m. Total distance: 157.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 78.5 miles on FL 60. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 89.3 miles (US 98 / Broadway Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 96.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 107 miles: 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.

Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 hours — manageable with a long break at St. Petersburg, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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