The drive from St. Petersburg, FL to Florida Ridge, FL covers 166 miles and takes about 3h 34m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on FL 60, I 4, I 275 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 87.7 miles on FL 60.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $26.42 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
83 miles from St. Petersburg, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 44m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 34m. Total distance: 166 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 34m highway drive covering 166 miles, with most of the trip on FL 60 and I 4. The longest continuous stretch is about 87.7 miles on FL 60.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
FL 60 is the longest continuous segment at about 87.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on FL 60 and I 4. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 23.4 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 166 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 23.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 49.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 59.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
23.4 mi into trip|~31m in
Take the exit toward I 4 East: Orlando
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 45B
Toward I 4 East: Orlando
8
49.6 mi into trip|~1h in
Take the exit toward FL 570 Toll East: Lakeland, Winter Haven
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 27
Toward FL 570 Toll East: Lakeland, Winter Haven
8
59.5 mi into trip|~1h 12m in
Take the exit toward US 98: Lakeland, Bartow
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 10
Toward US 98: Lakeland, Bartow
6
155.6 mi into trip|~3h 16m in|CR 619 / 82nd Avenue
Turn right onto CR 619 / 82nd Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
159.2 mi into trip|~3h 22m in|CR 606 / Oslo Road
Turn left onto CR 606 / Oslo Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
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 Florida Ridge, FL, road signs point toward Winter Haven and Bartow.
Winter Haven
49.6 mi in|~1h
Bartow
59.5 mi in|~1h 12m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
FL 60
87.7 mi
1h 50m
I 4
25.8 mi
28m
I 275
21.4 mi
27m
Polk Parkway
9.4 mi
10m
Bartow Road
6.9 mi
9m
Oslo Road
3.7 mi
5m
82nd Avenue
2.6 mi
4m
9th Street Southwest
2.6 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
FL 60
— 87.7 mi, about 1h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between St. Petersburg, FL and Florida Ridge, 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
21 mi·27 min·I 275
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.5 mi·42 sec
Exit 45BToward I 4 East: OrlandoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 4
26 mi·28 min·I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·55 sec
Exit 27Toward FL 570 Toll East: Lakeland, Winter HavenUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on FL 570 Toll
9.4 mi·10 min·Polk Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·56 sec
Exit 10Toward US 98: Lakeland, BartowUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn right onto US 98
6.9 mi·9 min·Bartow Road
Use the right lane.
11
Continue on US 98
0.6 mi·1 min·Broadway Avenue
12
Turn left onto US 98; FL 60
0.5 mi·1 min·Van Fleet Drive
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on FL 60
0.3 mi·26 sec·FL 60
14
Continue on FL 60
11 mi·13 min·FL 60
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on FL 60
4.3 mi·5 min·FL 60
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on FL 60
71 mi·1 hr 27 min·FL 60
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on FL 60
1.7 mi·2 min·FL 60
18
Turn right onto CR 619
2.6 mi·4 min·82nd Avenue
Use the right lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
20
Turn left onto CR 606
3.7 mi·5 min·Oslo Road
Use the right lane.
21
Continue on CR 606
2.6 mi·4 min·9th Street Southwest
22
Turn right onto 7th Road Southwest
0.5 mi·1 min·7th Road Southwest
23
Arrive at destination
7th Road Southwest
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 83 miles from St. Petersburg, FL, or about 1h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.7 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 37 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83 miles or 1h 44m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Florida Ridge, 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 166 miles and 3h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 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 FL 60 for about 87.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 83 mi from St. Petersburg, FL
· 1h 44m into the drive
The midpoint is around 83 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 FL 60 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 87.7 miles.
Arriving in Florida Ridge, FL
The final approach into Florida Ridge, 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 Florida Ridge, 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
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
$26.42 one way
$52.85 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg58 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$28.74
$57.49
premium
$4.72
$30.87
$61.73
diesel
$5.61
$36.65
$73.30
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
49.8
0
$17.43
$7.97
Efficient EV
41.5
0
$14.52
$6.64
EV Truck/SUV
66.4
0
$23.24
$10.62
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (67% 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 15, 2026
Origin
St. Petersburg, FL
Morning
in St. Petersburg on Saturday
Local time
10:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Florida Ridge, FL
Morning
in Florida Ridge on Saturday
Local time
10:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°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
9 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
3h 34m 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 Florida Ridge, FL covers 166 miles and takes about 3h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are FL 60, I 4, I 275. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 83 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 $26.42 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 166 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 23.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 49.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 59.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between St. Petersburg, FL and Florida Ridge, FL, road signs point toward Winter Haven and Bartow.
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.
