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Trip from St. Petersburg, FL to Panama City, FL

Drive Time

7h 33m

Distance

350.6 mi

564 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$59

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min
4 AM
7h 23m ★
6 AM
7h 33m
8 AM
7h 53m
10 AM
7h 40m
12 PM
7h 38m
3 PM
7h 41m
5 PM
7h 52m
8 PM
7h 27m

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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Downtown St. Petersburg, FL, FL

St. Petersburg, FL

Arian Fernandez

Downtown Panama City, FL, FL

Panama City, FL

Kelly

Trip Overview

The drive from St. Petersburg, FL to Panama City, FL covers 350.6 miles and takes about 7h 33m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Young Boulevard, Suncoast Parkway, Blountstown Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 66.5 miles on Young Boulevard. At current regular gas prices, budget about $58.57 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

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

175.3 miles from St. Petersburg, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 37m into the drive .

Drive Character

The drive from St. Petersburg, FL to Panama City, FL covers 350.6 miles and takes about 7h 33m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Young Boulevard is the longest continuous segment at about 66.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 17.2 miles in.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 350.6 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 17.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.3 miles (FL 60 / Memorial Highway): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 21 key points

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

8
17.2 mi into trip | ~22m in

Take the exit toward FL 60: Clearwater, Tampa International Airport, Kennedy Boulevard, West Shore Boulevard

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 39 Toward FL 60: Clearwater, Tampa International A...
8
17.7 mi into trip | ~23m in

Keep slight right at fork toward FL 60 East: Kennedy Boulevard, West Shore Boulevard

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward FL 60 East: Kennedy Boulevard, West Shor...
6
18.3 mi into trip | ~25m in | FL 60 / Memorial Highway

Turn left onto FL 60 / Memorial Highway toward FL 589 Toll: Tampa International Airport, Clearwater

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left / straight lanes. Toward FL 589 Toll: Tampa International Airport...
7
19 mi into trip | ~26m in | FL 589 Toll / Veterans Expressway

Keep slight left at fork onto FL 589 Toll / Veterans Expressway toward FL 589 Toll

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward FL 589 Toll
7
32.3 mi into trip | ~43m in | FL 589 Toll / Suncoast Parkway

Keep slight left at fork onto FL 589 Toll / Suncoast Parkway toward Crystal River

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane. Toward Crystal River

Towns Along This Route

Between St. Petersburg, FL and Panama City, FL, road signs point toward Clearwater and Crystal River.

Clearwater

18.3 mi in | ~25m | via FL 60

Crystal River

32.3 mi in | ~43m | via FL 589 Toll

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Young Boulevard 66.5 mi 1h 25m
Suncoast Parkway 54.2 mi 59m
Blountstown Highway 49.2 mi 1h 7m
Suncoast Boulevard 47 mi 59m
Hampton Springs Avenue 38.6 mi 49m
Bloxham Cutoff Road 30.8 mi 42m
US 231 24.1 mi 32m
I 275 15.2 mi 18m
Longest stretch: Young Boulevard — 66.5 mi, about 1h 25m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between St. Petersburg, FL and Panama City, FL.

1

Start on US 19

0.4 mi · 1 min · 34th Street South
2

Turn right onto FL 595

1.2 mi · 2 min · 5th Avenue North
3

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 49 sec
Toward I 275 North
4

Merge onto I 275

15 mi · 18 min · I 275
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 39 Toward FL 60: Clearwater, Tampa International Airport, Kennedy Boulevard, West Shore Boulevard Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Toward FL 60 East: Kennedy Boulevard, West Shore Boulevard Use the slight right lane.
7

Continue on West Kennedy Boulevard

0.3 mi · 31 sec · West Kennedy Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
8

Turn left onto FL 60

0.7 mi · 1 min · Memorial Highway
Toward FL 589 Toll: Tampa International Airport, Clearwater Use the left / straight lanes.
9

Keep slight left at fork onto FL 589 Toll

4.5 mi · 6 min · Veterans Expressway
Toward FL 589 Toll Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork onto FL 589 Toll

3.2 mi · 4 min · FL 589 Toll Express Lane
11

Merge onto FL 589 Toll

0.6 mi · 48 sec · Veterans Expressway
12

Keep slight left at fork onto FL 589 Toll

4.6 mi · 5 min · FL 589 Toll Express Lane
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Merge onto FL 589 Toll

0.4 mi · 27 sec · Veterans Expressway
14

Keep slight left at fork onto FL 589 Toll

54 mi · 59 min · Suncoast Parkway
Toward Crystal River Use the straight lane.
15

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 43 sec
Toward FL 44: Gulf to Lake Highway
16

Turn left onto FL 44

4.8 mi · 7 min · Gulf to Lake Highway
17

Continue on FL 44

0.9 mi · 1 min · Northeast 5th Street
18

Turn right onto US 19; US 98

47 mi · 59 min · Suncoast Boulevard
Use the right lane.
19

Continue on US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate

67 mi · 1 hr 25 min · Young Boulevard
20

Turn left onto US 98

39 mi · 49 min · Hampton Springs Avenue
21

Turn right onto FL 267

31 mi · 42 min · Bloxham Cutoff Road
22

At end of road, turn left onto FL 20; FL 267

0.7 mi · 57 sec · Jackson Bluff Road
23

Continue on FL 20; FL 267

49 mi · 1 hr 7 min · Blountstown Highway
24

Turn left onto US 231

24 mi · 32 min · US 231
25

Turn left onto US 231

1.0 mi · 2 min · Harrison Avenue
26

Turn left onto East 7th Street

228 ft · 12 sec · East 7th Street
27

Turn right onto Luverne Avenue

429 ft · 18 sec · Luverne Avenue
28

Arrive at destination

Luverne Avenue

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 175.3 miles from St. Petersburg, FL, or about 3h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.5 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 175.3 miles or 3h 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 6h 10m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Panama City, FL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving St. Petersburg, 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.

+

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Day 1

Settle into the route from St. Petersburg, FL

This is one driving day of about 350.6 miles and 7h 33m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from St. Petersburg, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Young Boulevard for about 66.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 175.3 mi from St. Petersburg, FL · 3h 37m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Gainesville, FL

175 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

Clearwater, FL

Fuel and coffee

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

Lake City, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 175.3 miles from St. Petersburg, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Young Boulevard if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 66.5 miles.

Arriving in Panama City, FL

The final approach into Panama City, 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 Panama City, FL.

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

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...

17 mi from route ~43 min detour Free
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$58.57 one way

$117.13 round trip

$4.24/gal 25.4 MPG avg 123 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.60 $63.44 $126.88
premium $4.90 $67.58 $135.16
diesel $5.64 $77.89 $155.78

Estimated Tolls: $3.69

Suncoast Parkway (54.2 mi) $3.25
Veterans Expressway (5.5 mi) $0.44

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

$59

Tolls

$4

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$87–$112

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 122.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 105.2 1 $36.81 $16.83
Efficient EV 87.7 1 $30.68 $14.02
EV Truck/SUV 140.2 1 $49.08 $22.44

Gas CO2

123 kg

EV CO2

41 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 3 days ago

Origin

St. Petersburg, FL

Morning in St. Petersburg on Monday

Local time

10:27 AM

EDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Panama City, FL

Morning in Panama City on Monday

Local time

9:27 AM

CDT

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

1 hour earlier

The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.

Temperature spread

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

7h 33m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from St. Petersburg, FL to Panama City, FL covers 350.6 miles and takes about 7h 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Young Boulevard, Suncoast Parkway, Blountstown Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 175.3 miles from St. Petersburg, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $58.57 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks 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 350.6 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 17.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.3 miles (FL 60 / Memorial Highway): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between St. Petersburg, FL and Panama City, FL, road signs point toward Clearwater and Crystal River.

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Return Trip

Panama City, FL to St. Petersburg, FL

Plan the drive back the other way.

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