If you are looking to get from St. Petersburg to Apollo Beach, you are in for a quick 37.7-mile journey that typically takes about 50 minutes. This trip is perfect as a single-day excursion, requiring no overnight stays. Budgeting roughly $6 for fuel should cover your travel costs comfortably. You will navigate a mix of major thoroughfares, including I-275 and the Tamiami Trail, while crossing the iconic Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Because this route stays entirely within Florida, you will experience a seamless transition between these two coastal areas without leaving the region. It is a straightforward, practical drive that serves as an efficient connection between these two points.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 50m. Total distance: 37.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged rather than lulling you into a highway trance. While about 13% of the journey consists of highway travel, the remainder of the route shifts into a more technical, local road experience. You will encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch during a 17.2-mile segment on the Tamiami Trail. The character of the road changes noticeably as you move away from the interstate portions and into the slower, more winding local sections. Be prepared for a driving environment that demands your attention, as the route transitions from high-speed transit to a more localized pace.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Tamiami Trail is the longest continuous segment at about 17.2 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
43 ft0 ft
Total Climb
42 ft
Total Descent
62 ft
Highest Point
43 ft
Elevation Range
43 ft
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 early in the drive near CR 150 / Central Avenue.
Driving Effort8/10
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 9 decision points packed into just 37.7 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 50m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (CR 150 / Central Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.5 miles (I 275): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.7 miles (I 275; US 19 / Sunshine Skyway Bridge): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|CR 150 / Central Avenue
Turn right onto CR 150 / Central Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
1.5 mi into trip|~3m in|I 275
Merge onto I 275
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
6.7 mi into trip|~9m in|I 275; US 19 / Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Merge onto I 275; US 19 / Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
19 mi into trip|~23m in
Take the exit toward US 41: Palmetto, Bradenton
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 2
Toward US 41: Palmetto, Bradenton
5
19.3 mi into trip|~24m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
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 St. Petersburg, FL to Apollo Beach, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Bradenton along the way.
Bradenton
19 mi in|~23m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Tamiami Trail
17.2 mi
23m
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
12.4 mi
14m
I 275
4.9 mi
5m
Apollo Beach Boulevard
1.1 mi
2m
31st Street South
0.7 mi
1m
Central Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
Fairway Boulevard
0.1 mi
<1m
34th Street South
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Tamiami Trail
— 17.2 mi, about 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between St. Petersburg, FL and Apollo Beach, FL.
1
Start on US 19
48 ft·5 sec·34th Street South
2
Turn right onto CR 150
0.2 mi·50 sec·Central Avenue
3
Turn right onto 31st Street South
0.7 mi·1 min·31st Street South
4
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
5
Merge onto I 275
4.9 mi·5 min·I 275
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·17 sec
7
Merge onto I 275; US 19
12 mi·14 min·Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 2Toward US 41: Palmetto, BradentonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
280 ft·7 sec
10
Turn left onto US 41
17 mi·23 min·Tamiami Trail
11
Turn left onto Apollo Beach Boulevard
1.1 mi·2 min·Apollo Beach Boulevard
Use the left / uturn lanes.
12
Turn left onto Fairway Boulevard
0.1 mi·27 sec·Fairway Boulevard
13
Arrive at destination
Fairway Boulevard
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 18.8 mi from St. Petersburg, FL
· 23m into the drive
The midpoint is around 18.8 miles from St. Petersburg, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Apollo Beach, FL
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Apollo Beach, FL if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.00 one way
$12.00 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg13 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$6.53
$13.06
premium
$4.72
$7.01
$14.02
diesel
$5.61
$8.32
$16.65
Estimated Tolls: $0.87
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
(12.4 mi)$0.87
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Tolls
$1
Total
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 13.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging
· 0 stops
· 69% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
11.3
0
$3.96
$1.81
Efficient EV
9.4
0
$3.30
$1.51
EV Truck/SUV
15.1
0
$5.28
$2.41
Gas CO2
13 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (69% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 13, 2026
Origin
St. Petersburg, FL
Morning
in St. Petersburg on Friday
Local time
11:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Mostly Clear
E 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 12 at 3:58PM EDT until April 13 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 12 at 2:27PM EDT until April 13 at 5:00AM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Destination
Apollo Beach, FL
Morning
in Apollo Beach on Friday
Local time
11:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Mostly Clear
E 8 to 13 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 12 at 3:58PM EDT until April 13 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 12 at 2:27PM EDT until April 13 at 5:00AM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
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
4 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
50m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 Apollo Beach, FL covers 37.7 miles and takes about 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Tamiami Trail, Sunshine Skyway Bridge, I 275. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 18.8 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 $6.00 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 short but busy drive. With 9 decision points packed into just 37.7 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 50m.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (CR 150 / Central Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.5 miles (I 275): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.7 miles (I 275; US 19 / Sunshine Skyway Bridge): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from St. Petersburg, FL to Apollo Beach, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Bradenton along the way.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 0 ft to 43 ft elevation with about 42 ft of total climbing.
Yes. Nearby national parks include De Soto National Memorial.
