Origin
St. Petersburg, FL
Afternoon in St. Petersburg on Sunday
Local time
3:35 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from St. Petersburg, FL to Tampa, FL
Drive Time
32m
Distance
23.3 mi
38 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
St. Petersburg, FL
Arian Fernandez
Tampa, FL
Arian Fernandez
Trip Overview
Traveling between St. Petersburg and Tampa is a quick 23.6-mile connection that typically takes about 28 minutes to complete. Because of the short distance, this trip is easily managed as a simple day excursion that requires no overnight stops. You will navigate primarily via 5th Avenue North, I-275 North, and the Downtown East corridors. With a fuel budget of approximately $4, the journey is highly economical for commuters or weekend travelers alike. Both cities sit within the same Florida region, ensuring a seamless transition across the bay area. Whether you are heading to the city center for work or leisure, this direct route provides a straightforward link between these two major Florida hubs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
11.7 miles from St. Petersburg, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 16m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention as you transition between city streets and interstate transit. While the route covers a modest 23.6 miles, the mix of local roads and highway driving keeps the experience engaging rather than monotonous. You won't find a long, uninterrupted highway stretch here, as the journey relies on navigating urban infrastructure. The road character shifts from localized surface streets to the faster-paced I-275 North, requiring you to stay alert for merging traffic. It is a functional, high-traffic corridor that reflects the busy nature of the Florida metropolitan landscape.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 275 is the longest continuous segment at about 20.5 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
61 ft
0 ft
Total Climb
61 ft
Total Descent
89 ft
Highest Point
61 ft
~2.9 mi in
Elevation Range
61 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 275 and 5th Avenue North. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.9 miles in near I 275.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 23.3 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 1.9 miles (I 275): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.9 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
I 275
Merge onto I 275
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
22.4 mi into trip
|
~29m in
Take the exit toward Downtown East, Downtown West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 44
Toward Downtown East, Downtown West
9
22.5 mi into trip
|
~30m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Downtown West, Ashley Drive, Tampa Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Downtown West, Ashley Drive, Tampa Stree...
9
22.7 mi into trip
|
~30m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Tampa Street, Seaport Aquarium, Amalie Arena, Harbour Island, Convention Center
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward Tampa Street, Seaport Aquarium, Amalie A...
5
23.1 mi into trip
|
~31m in
|
East Twiggs Street
Turn left onto East Twiggs Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 275 | 20.5 mi | 25m |
| 5th Avenue North | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| 34th Street South | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| North Tampa Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| North Franklin Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| East Twiggs Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| East Kennedy Boulevard | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 275
— 20.5 mi, about 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between St. Petersburg, FL and Tampa, 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
20 mi
·
25 min
·
I 275
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
386 ft
·
9 sec
Exit 44
Toward Downtown East, Downtown West
Use the slight right lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward Downtown West, Ashley Drive, Tampa Street
Use the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Toward Tampa Street, Seaport Aquarium, Amalie Arena, Harbour Island, Convention Center
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
8
Turn slight right onto US 41 Business
0.2 mi
·
54 sec
·
North Tampa Street
9
Turn left onto East Twiggs Street
282 ft
·
12 sec
·
East Twiggs Street
10
Turn right onto North Franklin Street
0.1 mi
·
31 sec
·
North Franklin Street
11
Turn right onto FL 60
174 ft
·
4 sec
·
East Kennedy Boulevard
12
Arrive at destination
FL 60
Trip Plan
Flexibility is your biggest advantage on this short 28-minute trip, allowing you to easily work around peak traffic hours. Since there are no planned stops required for a drive of this length, you can travel non-stop and arrive quickly. Keep a close eye on local congestion reports, particularly when transitioning from 5th Avenue North onto the interstate, as these junctions can become bottlenecks. Budgeting $4 for fuel should be more than sufficient for the trip, but keep an eye on your gauge before heading out. A concrete tip for this specific route is to familiarize yourself with the Downtown East exit signage in advance, as the urban layout can be complex for those unfamiliar with Tampa’s local geography.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 11.7 miles from St. Petersburg, FL, or about 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 20.5 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 23.3 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 11.7 miles or 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tampa, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from St. Petersburg, FL
This is one driving day of about 23.3 miles and 32m.
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.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 275 for about 20.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 11.7 mi from St. Petersburg, FL · 16m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
12 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 23.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 11.7 miles from St. Petersburg, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Tampa, FL
The final approach into Tampa, 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 Tampa, FL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$3.89 one way
$7.78 round trip
$4.24/gal
25.4 MPG avg
8 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $4.22 | $8.43 |
| premium | $4.90 | $4.49 | $8.98 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $5.18 | $10.35 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 8.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 7 | 0 | $2.45 | $1.12 |
| Efficient EV | 5.8 | 0 | $2.04 | $0.93 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 9.3 | 0 | $3.26 | $1.49 |
Gas CO2
8 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (63% 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.
Destination
Tampa, FL
Afternoon in Tampa on Sunday
Local time
3:35 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
32m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from St. Petersburg, FL to Tampa, FL covers 23.3 miles and takes about 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 275, 5th Avenue North, 34th Street South. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 11.7 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 $3.89 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 23.3 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 1.9 miles (I 275): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from St. Petersburg, FL to Tampa, FL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Tampa, FL
More trips to Tampa, FL
Explore more options from St. Petersburg, FL or browse trips ending in Tampa, FL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse FL road trips.
Explore maps for St. Petersburg, FL or Tampa, FL on MapSof.net.