How far is Lake Sarasota, FL from St. Petersburg, FL?
The driving distance from Lake Sarasota, FL to St. Petersburg, FL is about 42.6 miles (68.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 36.2 miles (58.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 30m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 45m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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 Manatee County, Florida
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lake Sarasota and St. Petersburg.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Sarasota and St. Petersburg.
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1
Start on Timor Place
139 m · 22 sec · Timor Place
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2
Turn right onto Samoa Drive
85 m · 18 sec · Samoa Drive
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3
Turn left onto Mauna Loa Boulevard
1949 ft · 56 sec · Mauna Loa Boulevard
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4
Turn left onto Bee Ridge Road
1671 ft · 42 sec · Bee Ridge Road
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 75 North: Tampa
1871 ft · 46 sec
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6
Merge slight left
20 mi · 21 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 275 North: Saint Petersburg
5.7 mi · 8 min
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8
Keep slight left
1610 ft · 20 sec
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9
Merge slight right onto Sunshine Skyway Bridge
14.3 mi · 17 min · Sunshine Skyway Bridge
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10
Take the exit slight left toward 31st Street South
1604 ft · 39 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Winery, Treasure Island, Tropicana Field
49 m · 10 sec
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12
Turn left onto 31st Street South
2167 ft · 58 sec · 31st Street South
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13
Turn left onto 5th Avenue South
1303 ft · 40 sec · 5th Avenue South
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14
Turn right onto 34th Street South
1589 ft · 41 sec · 34th Street South
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 34th Street South
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake Sarasota 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 North
Merge slight left
20 mi · 00h 21m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Sunny leaving Lake Sarasota 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 Sarasota to St. Petersburg?
The road trip is about 42.6 miles (68.5 km) and usually takes 00h 45m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Ellenton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 21.4 miles from Lake Sarasota and 21.2 miles from St. Petersburg.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 36.2 miles (58.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.4 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:00 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.22 one way or $12.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Lake Sarasota and Sunny near St. Petersburg.
Stop Ideas Near Ellenton
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 Ellenton.
Bradenton, Florida
Sarasota, Florida
St Petersburg-Pinellas Park-Clearwater, Florida
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lake Sarasota and St. Petersburg. Straight-line distance: 36.21 mi (58.28 km).
#1 Lake Sarasota
Census-designated place in Sarasota County, Florida
| Population | 4,679 |
| Coordinates | 27.2925500, -82.4376000 |
| Altitude | 9 |
| 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: 69 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 51m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $6.22 | $12.44 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $6.89 | $13.79 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $7.34 | $14.69 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $6.52 | $13.05 |
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 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.