Origin
Leisure City, FL
Morning in Leisure City on Monday
Local time
10:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Leisure City, FL to St. Petersburg, FL
Drive Time
5h 9m
Distance
275.6 mi
444 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$46
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 56m
★
6 AM
5h 10m
8 AM
5h 37m
10 AM
5h 19m
12 PM
5h 17m
3 PM
5h 21m
5 PM
5h 36m
8 PM
5h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Leisure City, FL
Larry Milligan
St. Petersburg, FL
Arian Fernandez
Trip Overview
The drive from Leisure City, FL to St. Petersburg, FL covers 275.6 miles and takes about 5h 9m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Alligator Alley, Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike, Okeechobee Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 203.5 miles on Alligator Alley. At current regular gas prices, budget about $46.04 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
137.8 miles from Leisure City, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 37m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 5h 9m drive with frequent turns across 275.6 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Alligator Alley is the longest continuous segment at about 203.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9.9 miles in near Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 275.6 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 9.9 miles (Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 254 miles (I 275): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
9.9 mi into trip
|
~13m in
|
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Keep slight right at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
31.5 mi into trip
|
~38m in
Take the exit toward US 27: Okeechobee Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 35
Toward US 27: Okeechobee Road
7
254 mi into trip
|
~4h 42m in
|
I 275
Take the exit onto I 275 toward I 275 North: Saint Petersburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 228
Toward I 275 North: Saint Petersburg
7
274.3 mi into trip
|
~5h 6m in
Take the exit toward 31st Street South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 20
Toward 31st Street South
7
274.6 mi into trip
|
~5h 7m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Winery, Treasure Island, Tropicana Field
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Winery, Treasure Island, Tropicana Field
Towns Along This Route
Between Leisure City, FL and St. Petersburg, FL, road signs point toward Fort Lauderdale and Naples.
Fort Lauderdale
49.5 mi in
|
~1h 2m
Naples
49.5 mi in
|
~1h 2m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Alligator Alley | 203.5 mi | 3h 38m |
| Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike | 30.1 mi | 35m |
| Okeechobee Road | 17.6 mi | 22m |
| Sunshine Skyway Bridge | 14.3 mi | 16m |
| I 275 | 5.7 mi | 7m |
| Southwest 288th Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| 31st Street South | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| 34th Street South | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Alligator Alley
— 203.5 mi, about 3h 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Leisure City, FL and St. Petersburg, FL.
1
Start on Harding Lane
162 ft
·
12 sec
·
Harding Lane
2
Turn left onto Southwest 147th Avenue
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
Southwest 147th Avenue
3
Turn right onto Southwest 288th Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Southwest 288th Street
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll North
5
Merge onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
8.5 mi
·
10 min
·
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
16 mi
·
17 min
·
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 35
Toward US 27: Okeechobee Road
Use the right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Toward US 27: Okeechobee Road
11
Merge onto US 27
18 mi
·
22 min
·
Okeechobee Road
Use the right lane.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 75: Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Naples
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 75 North: Naples
14
Merge onto I 75
203 mi
·
3 hr 38 min
·
Alligator Alley
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit onto I 275
5.7 mi
·
7 min
·
I 275
Exit 228
Toward I 275 North: Saint Petersburg
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
17
Merge onto I 275; US 19
14 mi
·
16 min
·
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 20
Toward 31st Street South
Use the slight left lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork
161 ft
·
9 sec
Toward Winery, Treasure Island, Tropicana Field
20
Turn left onto 31st Street South
0.4 mi
·
58 sec
·
31st Street South
21
Turn left onto 5th Avenue South
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
5th Avenue South
22
Turn right onto US 19
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
34th Street South
23
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 137.8 miles from Leisure City, FL, or about 2h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 203.5 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 80 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137.8 miles or 2h 37m 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 12m
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 Leisure City, 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 Leisure City, FL
This is one driving day of about 275.6 miles and 5h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Leisure City, 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 Alligator Alley for about 203.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 137.8 mi from Leisure City, FL · 2h 37m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
138 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 137.8 miles from Leisure City, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Alligator Alley if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 203.5 miles.
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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.04 one way
$92.08 round trip
$4.24/gal
25.4 MPG avg
96 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $49.87 | $99.74 |
| premium | $4.90 | $53.12 | $106.25 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $61.23 | $122.46 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.81
Homestead Extension
(30.1 mi)
$1.81
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
(14.3 mi)
$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
$46
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 82.7 | 1 | $28.94 | $13.23 |
| Efficient EV | 68.9 | 0 | $24.12 | $11.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 110.2 | 1 | $38.58 | $17.64 |
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (67% 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.
Destination
St. Petersburg, FL
Morning in St. Petersburg on Monday
Local time
10:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live 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
2 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
5h 9m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Leisure City, FL to St. Petersburg, FL covers 275.6 miles and takes about 5h 9m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Alligator Alley, Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike, Okeechobee Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 137.8 miles from Leisure City, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $46.04 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 275.6 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 9.9 miles (Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 254 miles (I 275): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Leisure City, FL and St. Petersburg, FL, road signs point toward Fort Lauderdale and Naples.
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