How far is Lake City, FL from St. Petersburg, FL?
The driving distance from Lake City, FL to St. Petersburg, FL is about 194.2 miles (312.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 56m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 167.1 miles (269 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 52m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 02h 56m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Human settlement in Sumter County, Florida, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lake City and St. Petersburg.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake City and St. Petersburg.
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1
Start on the route
12 m · 5 sec
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2
Turn right onto Northwest Main Boulevard
106 m · 14 sec · Northwest Main Boulevard
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3
Continue on Northwest Main Boulevard
1.4 mi · 3 min · Northwest Main Boulevard
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4
Keep slight right to continue on Southwest State Road 47
3.8 mi · 6 min · Southwest State Road 47
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5
Turn left onto I 75 South: Tampa
1165 ft · 29 sec
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6
Merge slight left
148.5 mi · 2 hr 39 min
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7
Keep slight right to continue on I 275 South: Tampa, Saint Petersburg
37.6 mi · 46 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward FL 595: Treasure Island, Florida Orange Groves Winery
1409 ft · 34 sec
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9
Turn right onto 5th Avenue North
1.2 mi · 2 min · 5th Avenue North
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10
Turn left onto 34th Street North
2693 ft · 1 min · 34th Street North
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11
Continue on 34th Street South
99 m · 14 sec · 34th Street South
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12
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 34th Street South
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake City and St. Petersburg.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 75 South
Merge slight left
148 mi · 02h 39m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Lake City and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near St. Petersburg.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lake City to St. Petersburg?
The road trip is about 194.2 miles (312.6 km) and usually takes 02h 56m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Wildwood is a useful midpoint, sitting about 97 miles from Lake City and 97.2 miles from St. Petersburg.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 167.1 miles (269 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.1 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:38 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.41 one way or $56.83 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 60.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Lake City and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near St. Petersburg.
Stop Ideas Near Wildwood
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Belleview City Hall Park
Inverness Government Center
City of Belleview
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Wildwood.
Wildwood, Florida
The Villages-Lady Lake, FL
Ocala, Florida
Dade City, Florida
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lake City and St. Petersburg. Straight-line distance: 167.14 mi (268.99 km).
#1 Lake City
County seat of Columbia County, Florida, United States
| Population | 12,352 |
| Coordinates | 30.1896800, -82.6392900 |
| Altitude | 59 |
| Country | United States |
#2 St. Petersburg
The second most populous city in Florida.
| Population | 253,693 |
| Coordinates | 27.7708600, -82.6792700 |
| Altitude | 13 |
| Country | United States |
End: US 19 (-82.679372, 27.77086)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 313 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 51m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 53m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 14m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 46m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 25m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $28.41 | $56.83 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $31.48 | $62.97 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $33.54 | $67.08 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $29.80 | $59.59 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Florida · May 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.