The drive from St. Petersburg, FL to Apalachicola, FL covers 310.1 miles and takes about 6h 42m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Young Boulevard, Hampton Springs Avenue, Suncoast Parkway 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 $49.36 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
155.1 miles from St. Petersburg, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 11m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 42m. Total distance: 310.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 42m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from St. Petersburg, FL to Apalachicola, FL covers 310.1 miles and takes about 6h 42m, 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 26 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.
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 20 significant decision points across 310.1 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 20 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 Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between St. Petersburg, FL and Apalachicola, FL, road signs point toward Tampa International Airport, Clearwater and Crystal River.
Tampa International Airport
17.2 mi in|~22m
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
Hampton Springs Avenue
54.4 mi
1h 11m
Suncoast Parkway
54.2 mi
59m
Suncoast Boulevard
47 mi
59m
US 319
32.5 mi
49m
Sopchoppy Highway
17 mi
24m
I 275
15.2 mi
18m
FL 589 Toll Express Lane
7.8 mi
9m
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 Apalachicola, 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 39Toward FL 60: Clearwater, Tampa International Airport, Kennedy Boulevard, West Shore BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward FL 60 East: Kennedy Boulevard, West Shore BoulevardUse 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, ClearwaterUse the left / straight lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 589 Toll
4.5 mi·6 min·Veterans Expressway
Toward FL 589 TollUse 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 RiverUse 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
54 mi·1 hr 11 min·Hampton Springs Avenue
21
Turn slight right onto US 319
6.5 mi·9 min·Sopchoppy Highway
22
Keep slight left at fork onto US 319
11 mi·14 min·Sopchoppy Highway
23
Keep slight right at fork onto US 319
32 mi·49 min·US 319
24
Turn left onto Avenue C
456 ft·22 sec·Avenue C
25
Turn right onto 5th Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·5th Street
26
Arrive at destination
5th Street
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 155.1 miles from St. Petersburg, FL, or about 3h 11m 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 68 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 155.1 miles or 3h 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Apalachicola, 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 310.1 miles and 6h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from St. Petersburg, 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 Young Boulevard for about 66.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 155.1 mi from St. Petersburg, FL
· 3h 11m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.36 one way
$98.72 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg109 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$53.69
$107.39
premium
$4.72
$57.66
$115.32
diesel
$5.61
$68.47
$136.93
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
$49
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$78–$103
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 108.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
93
1
$32.56
$14.88
Efficient EV
77.5
0
$27.13
$12.40
EV Truck/SUV
124
1
$43.41
$19.85
Gas CO2
108 kg
EV CO2
36 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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
St. Petersburg, FL
Late night
in St. Petersburg on Saturday
Local time
4:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Apalachicola, FL
Late night
in Apalachicola on Saturday
Local time
4:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°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
22 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 42m 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 Apalachicola, FL covers 310.1 miles and takes about 6h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Young Boulevard, Hampton Springs Avenue, Suncoast Parkway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 155.1 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 $49.36 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 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 20 significant decision points across 310.1 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 Apalachicola, FL, road signs point toward Tampa International Airport, Clearwater and Crystal River.
Yes. Nearby national parks include De Soto National Memorial.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
