Moore Haven to St. Petersburg is 142 miles and takes about 3 hours 2 minutes via US 27 and SR 70, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you across Florida, moving from the inland Lake Okeechobee region to the coastal Tampa Bay area. It's a straightforward, highway-focused drive that's well-suited for a single day. You'll spend most of your time on main roads, making it an efficient way to cover the distance. Consider this route if you're looking for a practical and relatively quick transit between these two points in the Sunshine State.
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
71 miles from Moore Haven, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 28m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 27
36 mi
42m
SR 70
32.9 mi
45m
FL 70
32.2 mi
41m
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
14.3 mi
16m
I 75
9.9 mi
10m
East Hickory Street
8.4 mi
12m
I 275
5.7 mi
7m
31st Street South
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 27
— 36 mi, about 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Moore Haven, FL and St. Petersburg, FL.
1
Start on this road
76 ft·7 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto 2nd Street
164 ft·9 sec·2nd Street
3
Turn right onto J Avenue
0.3 mi·53 sec·J Avenue
4
Turn right onto 5th Street
289 ft·12 sec·5th Street
5
Turn left onto US 27
36 mi·42 min·US 27
Use the left lane.
6
Turn left onto FL 70
32 mi·41 min·FL 70
Use the left lane.
7
Turn straight onto FL 70
8.4 mi·12 min·East Hickory Street
8
Continue on SR 70
33 mi·45 min·SR 70
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward I 75
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·45 sec
Toward I 75 North: TampaUse the right lane.
11
Merge onto I 75
9.9 mi·10 min·I 75
12
Take the exit onto I 275
5.7 mi·7 min·I 275
Exit 228Toward I 275 North: Saint PetersburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·19 sec
14
Merge onto I 275; US 19
14 mi·16 min·Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Exit 20Toward 31st Street SouthUse the slight left lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
161 ft·9 sec
Toward Winery, Treasure Island, Tropicana Field
17
Turn left onto 31st Street South
0.4 mi·58 sec·31st Street South
18
Turn left onto 5th Avenue South
0.2 mi·39 sec·5th Avenue South
19
Turn right onto US 19
0.3 mi·40 sec·34th Street South
20
Arrive at destination
US 19
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour duration, starting your drive in Moore Haven in the morning allows ample time to reach St. Petersburg before evening. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. Plan your fuel stops strategically, as the longest stretch without a major town might be on US 27. The $23 fuel cost is an estimate, so checking prices closer to your departure is wise. This is a short enough drive that you won't need to split it, giving you the freedom to depart when it's most convenient for you.
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 71 miles from Moore Haven, FL, or about 1h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 36 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 31 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71 miles or 1h 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 2h 30m
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 Moore Haven, 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 Moore Haven, FL
This is one driving day of about 142 miles and 3h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Moore Haven, 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 US 27 for about 36 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 36.3 and 141 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
36.3 mi into trip|~44m in|FL 70
Turn left onto FL 70
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
109.9 mi into trip|~2h 23m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 75 North: Tampa
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 75 North: Tampa
7
120.4 mi into trip|~2h 35m 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
140.7 mi into trip|~2h 59m 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
141 mi into trip|~3h 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.60 one way
$45.21 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg50 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$24.59
$49.17
premium
$4.72
$26.40
$52.81
diesel
$5.61
$31.35
$62.70
Estimated Tolls: $1.00
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
$23
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
42.6
0
$14.91
$6.82
Efficient EV
35.5
0
$12.42
$5.68
EV Truck/SUV
56.8
0
$19.88
$9.09
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (66% 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 16, 2026
Origin
Moore Haven, FL
Afternoon
in Moore Haven on Saturday
Local time
3:43 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
St. Petersburg, FL
Afternoon
in St. Petersburg on Saturday
Local time
3:43 PM
EDT
Current temp
86°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
25 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 2m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 127.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is largely highway-focused, with 82% of the journey on main roads. You'll primarily be on US 27 and then transition to SR 70. Expect a consistent pace for much of the trip, with one notable stretch of 36 miles on US 27 where you can maintain speed. While not a winding scenic route, it offers a clear path across the state. The character of the road is functional, designed for efficient travel rather than leisurely sightseeing.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 27 is the longest continuous segment at about 36 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 27 and SR 70. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 36.3 miles in near FL 70.
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 16 significant decision points across 142 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 36.3 miles (FL 70): Lane positioning matters here; at 109.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 120.4 miles (I 275): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 2m. Total distance: 142 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Moore Haven, FL to St. Petersburg, FL covers 142 miles and takes about 3h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 27, SR 70, FL 70. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 71 miles from Moore Haven, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.60 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 142 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 36.3 miles (FL 70): Lane positioning matters here; at 109.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 120.4 miles (I 275): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Moore Haven, FL to St. Petersburg, FL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
