Trip from North Key Largo, FL to St. Petersburg, FL

Drive Time

5h 41m

Distance

298.7 mi

481 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$50

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

5h 28m ★

6 AM

5h 41m

8 AM

6h 8m

10 AM

5h 51m

12 PM

5h 48m

3 PM

5h 52m

5 PM

6h 7m

8 PM

5h 33m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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St. Petersburg, FL

Arian Fernandez

Trip Overview

The drive from North Key Largo, FL to St. Petersburg, FL covers 298.7 miles and takes about 5h 41m 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 $49.90 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

149.3 miles from North Key Largo, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 57m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a 5h 41m drive with frequent turns across 298.7 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 24 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 19.3 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 298.7 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 19.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 54.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 277 miles (I 275): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 22 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

19.3 mi into trip | ~28m in

Take the exit toward Miami, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / right lanes. Toward Miami, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North

54.5 mi into trip | ~1h 10m 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

277 mi into trip | ~5h 13m 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

297.4 mi into trip | ~5h 38m 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

297.7 mi into trip | ~5h 38m 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 North Key Largo, FL and St. Petersburg, FL, road signs point toward Miami, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North, Fort Lauderdale and Naples.

Miami

19.3 mi in | ~28m

Orlando

19.3 mi in | ~28m

Florida's Turnpike North

19.3 mi in | ~28m

Fort Lauderdale

72.5 mi in | ~1h 33m

Naples

72.5 mi in | ~1h 33m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Alligator Alley	203.5 mi	3h 38m
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike	34.8 mi	41m
Okeechobee Road	17.6 mi	22m
Card Sound Road	16.5 mi	23m
Sunshine Skyway Bridge	14.3 mi	16m
I 275	5.7 mi	7m
CR 905	1.7 mi	2m
Dixie Highway	1 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Alligator Alley — 203.5 mi, about 3h 38m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between North Key Largo, FL and St. Petersburg, FL.

Start on CR 905

1.7 mi · 2 min · CR 905

Turn left onto CR 905A

16 mi · 23 min · Card Sound Road

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 15 sec

Toward US 1 North: Miami

Merge onto US 1

1.0 mi · 1 min · Dixie Highway

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec

Toward Miami, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike

13 mi · 15 min · Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike

Toward Miami, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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.

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.

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.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec

Exit 35 Toward US 27: Okeechobee Road Use the right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 15 sec

Toward US 27: Okeechobee Road

Merge onto US 27

18 mi · 22 min · Okeechobee Road

Use the right lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec

Toward I 75: Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Naples

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min

Toward I 75 North: Naples

Merge onto I 75

203 mi · 3 hr 38 min · Alligator Alley

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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.

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 19 sec

Merge onto I 275; US 19

14 mi · 16 min · Sunshine Skyway Bridge

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 39 sec

Exit 20 Toward 31st Street South Use the slight left lane.

Keep slight left at fork

161 ft · 9 sec

Toward Winery, Treasure Island, Tropicana Field

Turn left onto 31st Street South

0.4 mi · 58 sec · 31st Street South

Turn left onto 5th Avenue South

0.2 mi · 39 sec · 5th Avenue South

Turn right onto US 19

0.3 mi · 40 sec · 34th Street South

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 149.3 miles from North Key Largo, FL, or about 2h 57m 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 42m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 149.3 miles or 2h 57m 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 39m

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 North Key Largo, 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 North Key Largo, FL

This is one driving day of about 298.7 miles and 5h 41m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from North Key Largo, 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 149.3 mi from North Key Largo, FL · 2h 57m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bonita Springs, FL

149 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.

Popular next leg

Bonita Springs, FL to St. Petersburg, FL

136.4 mi · 2h 3m

Pacing Suggestions

Doral, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bonita Springs, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 149.5 miles from North Key Largo, 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.

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.

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...

7 mi from route ~19 min detour Free near mile 288.4

View on nps.gov

Biscayne National Park

National Park

Within sight of Miami, yet worlds away, Biscayne protects a rare combination of aquamarine waters, emerald islands, and fish-bejeweled coral reefs. Evidence of 10,000 years of human history is here to...

11 mi from route ~27 min detour Free near mile 30.9

View on nps.gov

Everglades National Park

National Park

Established in 1947 as the first national park created for its biodiversity, Everglades National Park protects 1.5 million acres of wetland, forest, and marine habitats and the native plants and anima...

27 mi from route ~67 min detour $35 near mile 20.6

View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$49.90 one way

$99.79 round trip

$4.24/gal 25.4 MPG avg 105 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.60	$54.05	$108.10
premium	$4.90	$57.58	$115.15
diesel	$5.64	$66.36	$132.72

Estimated Tolls: $3.09

Homestead Extension (34.8 mi) $2.09

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

$50

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$78–$103

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 104.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	89.6	1	$31.36	$14.34
Efficient EV	74.7	0	$26.14	$11.95
EV Truck/SUV	119.5	1	$41.82	$19.12

Gas CO2

105 kg

EV CO2

35 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.

Forecast data refreshed 4 years ago

Origin

North Key Largo, FL

Morning in North Key Largo on Monday

Local time

10:28 AM

EDT

Current temp

65°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

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

5h 41m 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 North Key Largo, FL to St. Petersburg, FL covers 298.7 miles and takes about 5h 41m 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 149.3 miles from North Key Largo, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $49.90 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.

Between North Key Largo, FL and St. Petersburg, FL, road signs point toward Miami, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North, Fort Lauderdale and Naples.

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Trip from North Key Largo, FL to St. Petersburg, FL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in St. Petersburg, FL

National Parks Near This Route

De Soto National Memorial

Biscayne National Park

Everglades National Park

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

North Key Largo, FL

St. Petersburg, FL

Same local time

1 degrees warmer at arrival

5h 41m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Was this route helpful?

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