Drive Time
4h 55m
Distance
221.9 mi
357 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
Photo: Arian Fernandez
The drive from Highland Beach, FL to St. Petersburg, FL covers 221.9 miles and takes about 4h 55m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on FL 70, Southwest Warfield Boulevard, SR 70 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 65.3 miles on FL 70. At current regular gas prices, budget about $37.07 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
111 miles from Highland Beach, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 28m into the drive .
This is a 4h 55m highway drive covering 221.9 miles, with most of the trip on FL 70 and Southwest Warfield Boulevard. The longest continuous stretch is about 65.3 miles on FL 70.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on FL 70 and Southwest Warfield Boulevard. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 28.6 miles in.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 221.9 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 28.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 189.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 200.3 miles (I 275): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the exit toward FL 708: Blue Heron Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward I 75 North: Tampa
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit onto I 275 toward I 275 North: Saint Petersburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward 31st Street South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork toward Winery, Treasure Island, Tropicana Field
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| FL 70 | 65.3 mi | 1h 26m |
| Southwest Warfield Boulevard | 33.1 mi | 44m |
| SR 70 | 32.9 mi | 45m |
| I 95 | 23.9 mi | 27m |
| Bee Line Highway | 20.1 mi | 26m |
| Sunshine Skyway Bridge | 14.3 mi | 16m |
| I 75 | 9.9 mi | 10m |
| East Hickory Street | 8.4 mi | 12m |
Step-by-step road directions between Highland Beach, FL and St. Petersburg, FL.
Start on SR A1A
Turn left onto East Linton Boulevard
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 95
Take the exit
Turn straight onto FL 708
Continue on FL 710
Continue on FL 710
Merge onto FL 70
Turn straight onto FL 70
Continue on SR 70
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 75
Take the exit onto I 275
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 275; US 19
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn left onto 31st Street South
Turn left onto 5th Avenue South
Turn right onto US 19
Arrive at destination
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.
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 80 miles or 1h 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 111 miles or 2h 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near St. Petersburg, FL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Highland Beach, 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 Highland Beach, FL
This is one driving day of about 221.9 miles and 4h 55m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 111 mi from Highland Beach, FL · 2h 28m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
111 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 111 miles from Highland Beach, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before FL 70 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 65.3 miles.
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.
Regular Gas
$37.07 one way
$74.14 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $40.15 | $80.30 |
| premium | $4.90 | $42.77 | $85.55 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $49.30 | $98.60 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.00
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
$37
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 66.6 | 0 | $23.30 | $10.65 |
| Efficient EV | 55.5 | 0 | $19.42 | $8.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 88.8 | 1 | $31.07 | $14.20 |
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Evening in Highland Beach on Saturday
Local time
8:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Evening in St. Petersburg on Saturday
Local time
8:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
67°F
Punta Gorda, FL
111 mi in
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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