How far is Lake Forest, FL from St. Petersburg, FL?
The driving distance from Lake Forest, FL to St. Petersburg, FL is about 251.6 miles (404.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 197.5 miles (317.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 36m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EST.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 48m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Census-designated place in Lee County, Florida
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Clear
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lake Forest and St. Petersburg.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Forest and St. Petersburg.
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1
Start on Southwest 40th Avenue
2486 ft · 1 min · Southwest 40th Avenue
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2
Turn right onto West Hallandale Beach Boulevard
1.1 mi · 3 min · West Hallandale Beach Boulevard
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3
Turn left onto I 95 North: West Palm Beach
1510 ft · 39 sec
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4
Merge slight left
5.9 mi · 7 min
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5
Take the exit slight right toward I 595: Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport
1221 ft · 30 sec
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6
Keep slight left to continue on I 595 West
1.4 km · 2 min
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7
Merge slight left onto Port Everglades Expressway
1.7 mi · 2 min · Port Everglades Expressway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Port Everglades Expressway
10.1 mi · 12 min · Port Everglades Expressway
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9
Merge slight left
209.2 mi · 3 hr 44 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 275 North: Saint Petersburg
5.7 mi · 8 min
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11
Keep slight left
1610 ft · 20 sec
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12
Merge slight right onto Sunshine Skyway Bridge
14.3 mi · 17 min · Sunshine Skyway Bridge
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13
Take the exit slight left toward 31st Street South
1604 ft · 39 sec
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14
Keep slight left to continue on Winery, Treasure Island, Tropicana Field
49 m · 10 sec
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15
Turn left onto 31st Street South
2167 ft · 58 sec · 31st Street South
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16
Turn left onto 5th Avenue South
1303 ft · 40 sec · 5th Avenue South
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17
Turn right onto 34th Street South
1589 ft · 41 sec · 34th Street South
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 34th Street South
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake Forest 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.
Port Everglades Expressway
Merge slight left
209 mi · 03h 44m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Clear leaving Lake Forest and Sunny near St. Petersburg.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lake Forest to St. Petersburg?
The road trip is about 251.6 miles (404.9 km) and usually takes 03h 48m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Estero is a useful midpoint, sitting about 125.8 miles from Lake Forest and 125.8 miles from St. Petersburg.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 197.5 miles (317.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 54.1 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:24 AM EST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.05 one way or $68.09 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 78.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around Lake Forest and Sunny near St. Petersburg.
Stop Ideas Near Estero
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Estero.
Fort Myers, Florida
Port Charlotte, Florida
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lake Forest and St. Petersburg. Straight-line distance: 197.52 mi (317.88 km).
#1 Lake Forest
Lake Forest is a place in Florida, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 25.9775900, -80.1831000 |
| Altitude | 2 |
| 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: 405 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 22m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 17m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 01m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 11m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 35m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.83 | $34.05 | $68.09 |
| Mid-grade | $4.32 | $38.36 | $76.72 |
| Premium | $4.66 | $41.41 | $82.81 |
| Diesel | $5.94 | $52.76 | $105.51 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
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