The drive from St. Petersburg, FL to Deerfield Beach, FL covers 258.3 miles and takes about 4h 49m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 75, Sawgrass Expressway, Sunshine Skyway Bridge for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 209.3 miles on I 75.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $41.11 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
129.2 miles from St. Petersburg, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 22m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 49m. Total distance: 258.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 4h 49m highway drive covering 258.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 75 and Sawgrass Expressway. The longest continuous stretch is about 209.3 miles on I 75.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 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 Sawgrass Expressway. 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 Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 258.3 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: near the start (CR 150 / Central Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 49.2 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 230.4 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 14 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
6
49.2 mi into trip|~57m 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
230.4 mi into trip|~4h 11m 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
230.9 mi into trip|~4h 11m in
Take the exit toward SR 869 Toll North: Coral Springs
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 19
Toward SR 869 Toll North: Coral Springs
7
258.3 mi into trip|~4h 49m in|Southeast 2nd Avenue
Turn left onto Southeast 2nd Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
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 Deerfield Beach, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Lauderdale along the way.
Fort Lauderdale
230.4 mi in|~4h 11m|via I 595
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
209.3 mi
3h 44m
Sawgrass Expressway
21.1 mi
24m
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
13.4 mi
15m
I 275
6 mi
8m
Southwest 10th Street
3.5 mi
6m
South Dixie Highway
1 mi
2m
31st Street South
0.7 mi
1m
Port Everglades Expressway
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 209.3 mi, about 3h 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between St. Petersburg, FL and Deerfield 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
13 mi·15 min·Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 275
1.1 mi·2 min·I 275
Toward I 75 South: Naples
9
Merge onto I 75
28 mi·30 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
181 mi·3 hr 14 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 595
0.4 mi·29 sec·Port Everglades Expressway
Exit 19Toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Springs, Fort LauderdaleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
1.7 mi·3 min
Exit 19Toward SR 869 Toll North: Coral SpringsUse the slight left / straight lanes.
13
Merge onto SR 869 Toll
21 mi·24 min·Sawgrass Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on SR 869
3.5 mi·6 min·Southwest 10th Street
Use the left lane.
15
Turn left onto SR 811
1.0 mi·2 min·South Dixie Highway
16
Turn right onto SR 810
0.1 mi·21 sec·East Hillsboro Boulevard
17
Turn left onto Southeast 2nd Avenue
26 ft·0 sec·Southeast 2nd Avenue
Use the left lane.
18
Arrive at destination
Southeast 2nd Avenue
Trip Plan
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 129.2 miles from St. Petersburg, FL, or about 2h 22m 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 57 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 129.2 miles or 2h 22m 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 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Deerfield Beach, 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 258.3 miles and 4h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 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 I 75 for about 209.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 129.2 mi from St. Petersburg, FL
· 2h 22m into the drive
The midpoint is around 129.2 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 I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 209.3 miles.
Arriving in Deerfield Beach, FL
The final approach into Deerfield Beach, 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 Deerfield Beach, 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.
Nearby Places
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
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...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 17.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.11 one way
$82.23 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg90 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$44.72
$89.45
premium
$4.72
$48.03
$96.06
diesel
$5.61
$57.03
$114.06
Estimated Tolls: $2.63
Sawgrass Expressway
(21.1 mi)$1.69
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
$41
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
77.5
0
$27.12
$12.40
Efficient EV
64.6
0
$22.60
$10.33
EV Truck/SUV
103.3
1
$36.16
$16.53
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
St. Petersburg, FL
Night
in St. Petersburg on Friday
Local time
11:20 PM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Deerfield Beach, FL
Night
in Deerfield Beach on Friday
Local time
11:20 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
18 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
4h 49m 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 St. Petersburg, FL to Deerfield Beach, FL covers 258.3 miles and takes about 4h 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, Sawgrass Expressway, Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 129.2 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 $41.11 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 14 significant decision points across 258.3 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: near the start (CR 150 / Central Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 49.2 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 230.4 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 St. Petersburg, FL to Deerfield Beach, 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 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.
