This 247.3-mile drive from Saint Pete Beach, FL to Miramar, FL is designed for a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 41 minutes to complete. You'll primarily be on major highways, with an 88% highway share, making it a straightforward journey. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $40, which is quite reasonable for the distance covered. This route is a good option if you're looking for an efficient way to travel between these two Florida locations without needing an overnight stop. It's a highway-focused drive that gets you where you need to go with minimal fuss.
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
123.7 miles from Saint Pete Beach, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 19m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 41m. Total distance: 247.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for the most part on this route. With 88% of the journey on interstates, including I-75 and the Port Everglades Expressway, you'll experience consistent speeds. The Sunshine Skyway Bridge offers a significant and impressive segment of this drive. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 209.3 miles on I-75, meaning long periods of uninterrupted highway driving. The character of the road remains largely consistent, emphasizing efficient travel over varied scenery.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 75 is the longest continuous segment at about 209.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Sunshine Skyway Bridge. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in near FL 682 / Pinellas Bayway.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 247.3 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 1.1 miles (FL 682 / Pinellas Bayway): Lane positioning matters here; at 50 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 231.3 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
1.1 mi into trip|~2m in|FL 682 / Pinellas Bayway
Turn left onto FL 682 / Pinellas Bayway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
50 mi into trip|~1h in|I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
231.3 mi into trip|~4h 14m in|I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 19
Toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Spr...
7
236.7 mi into trip|~4h 20m in
Take the exit toward SR 817: Pine Island Road|University Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 5; 6
Toward SR 817: Pine Island Road|University Driv...
9
236.9 mi into trip|~4h 21m in
Keep slight right at fork toward SR 84 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 5
Toward SR 84 East
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 Saint Pete Beach, FL to Miramar, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Lauderdale along the way.
Fort Lauderdale
231.3 mi in|~4h 14m|via I 595
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
209.3 mi
3h 44m
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
13.4 mi
15m
Port Everglades Expressway
5.4 mi
6m
South University Drive
4.6 mi
8m
Pinellas Bayway
3.7 mi
6m
North University Drive
2.5 mi
4m
SR 84
1.6 mi
2m
I 275
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 209.3 mi, about 3h 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Pete Beach, FL and Miramar, FL.
1
Start on FL 699
1.1 mi·2 min·Gulf Boulevard
2
Turn left onto FL 682
3.5 mi·6 min·Pinellas Bayway
Use the straight lane.
3
Continue on FL 682
0.2 mi·21 sec·Pinellas Bayway
4
Take the ramp
2.5 mi·3 min
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·17 sec
6
Merge onto I 275; US 19
13 mi·15 min·Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 275
1.1 mi·2 min·I 275
Toward I 75 South: Naples
8
Merge onto I 75
28 mi·30 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
181 mi·3 hr 14 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 595
5.4 mi·6 min·Port Everglades Expressway
Exit 19Toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Springs, Fort LauderdaleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 5; 6Toward SR 817: Pine Island Road|University DriveUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·14 sec
Exit 5Toward SR 84 EastUse the slight right lane.
13
Turn straight onto SR 84
1.6 mi·2 min·SR 84
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Turn right onto SR 817
3.6 mi·6 min·South University Drive
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Continue on SR 817
2.5 mi·4 min·North University Drive
Use the left lane.
16
Continue on SR 817
1.0 mi·1 min·South University Drive
Use the left lane.
17
Turn left onto SR 824
0.6 mi·1 min·Pembroke Road
Use the left lane.
18
Turn right onto Island Drive
0.5 mi·1 min·Island Drive
19
Turn left onto Miramar Boulevard
0.4 mi·1 min·Miramar Boulevard
20
Turn right onto Bahama Drive
91 ft·4 sec·Bahama Drive
21
Arrive at destination
Bahama Drive
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour and 41-minute drive, leaving early in the morning is your best bet to beat traffic, especially as you approach South Florida. With only one recommended stop, you can plan your breaks strategically, perhaps after completing the longest stretch of 209.3 miles on I-75. The $40 fuel cost is manageable, but ensure your tank is full before departing Saint Pete Beach. Given the highway-focused nature, keeping an eye on your speed and any potential construction zones on I-75 and the Port Everglades Expressway will be key for a smooth trip.
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 123.7 miles from Saint Pete Beach, FL, or about 2h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 209.3 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 54 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123.7 miles or 2h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Miramar, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Saint Pete 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 Saint Pete Beach, FL
This is one driving day of about 247.3 miles and 4h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Saint Pete Beach, 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 I 75 for about 209.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 123.7 mi from Saint Pete Beach, FL
· 2h 19m into the drive
The midpoint is around 123.7 miles from Saint Pete Beach, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 209.3 miles.
Arriving in Miramar, FL
The final approach into Miramar, 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 Miramar, 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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 17.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.36 one way
$78.73 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$42.82
$85.64
premium
$4.72
$45.98
$91.97
diesel
$5.61
$54.60
$109.20
Estimated Tolls: $0.94
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
(13.4 mi)$0.94
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
$39
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.2
0
$25.97
$11.87
Efficient EV
61.8
0
$21.64
$9.89
EV Truck/SUV
98.9
1
$34.62
$15.83
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 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.
Forecast as of Mar 8, 2022
Origin
Saint Pete Beach, FL
Morning
in Saint Pete Beach on Friday
Local time
8:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Miramar, FL
Morning
in Miramar on Friday
Local time
8:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°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
6 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
4h 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 Saint Pete Beach, FL to Miramar, FL covers 247.3 miles and takes about 4h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, Sunshine Skyway Bridge, Port Everglades Expressway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 123.7 miles from Saint Pete Beach, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $39.36 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 15 significant decision points across 247.3 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 1.1 miles (FL 682 / Pinellas Bayway): Lane positioning matters here; at 50 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 231.3 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Saint Pete Beach, FL to Miramar, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Lauderdale along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include De Soto National Memorial.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
