How far is Lakeland, FL from St. Petersburg, FL?
The driving distance from Lakeland, FL to St. Petersburg, FL is about 57.8 miles (93.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 03m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 48.3 miles (77.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 07m 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 01h 03m.
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.
City in Hillsborough County, Florida, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lakeland and St. Petersburg.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lakeland and St. Petersburg.
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1
Start on East Walnut Street
129 m · 19 sec · East Walnut Street
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto Lake Morton Drive
1039 ft · 31 sec · Lake Morton Drive
-
3
Turn right onto South Massachusetts Avenue
72 m · 14 sec · South Massachusetts Avenue
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4
Turn left onto East Lime Street
1877 ft · 56 sec · East Lime Street
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5
Turn right onto Sikes Boulevard
2528 ft · 58 sec · Sikes Boulevard
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6
Continue on Kathleen Road
2.4 mi · 5 min · Kathleen Road
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7
Turn left
2373 ft · 60 sec
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8
Merge slight left
29.9 mi · 33 min
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 275 South: Tampa International Airport, Saint Petersburg
2249 ft · 41 sec
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10
Merge slight left
21.3 mi · 26 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward FL 595: Treasure Island, Florida Orange Groves Winery
1409 ft · 34 sec
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12
Turn right onto 5th Avenue North
1.2 mi · 2 min · 5th Avenue North
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13
Turn left onto 34th Street North
2693 ft · 1 min · 34th Street North
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14
Continue on 34th Street South
99 m · 14 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 Lakeland and St. Petersburg.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Kathleen Road
Merge slight left
29.9 mi · 00h 33m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Lakeland and Mostly Sunny near St. Petersburg.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lakeland to St. Petersburg?
The road trip is about 57.8 miles (93.1 km) and usually takes 01h 03m 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?
Temple Terrace is a useful midpoint, sitting about 28.8 miles from Lakeland and 29 miles from St. Petersburg.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 48.3 miles (77.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.5 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 4:22 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.46 one way or $16.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 18.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Lakeland and Mostly Sunny near St. Petersburg.
Stop Ideas Near Temple Terrace
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 Temple Terrace.
Union Station
St Petersburg-Pinellas Park-Clearwater, Florida
Dade City, Florida
Lakeland
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lakeland and St. Petersburg. Straight-line distance: 48.26 mi (77.66 km).
#1 Lakeland
The most populous city in Polk County, Florida.
| Population | 115,283 |
| Coordinates | 28.0394700, -81.9498000 |
| Altitude | 60 |
| 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: 34th Street South (-82.679372, 27.77086)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 93 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 55m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 26m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 09m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 57m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 49m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 43m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $8.46 | $16.92 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $9.38 | $18.75 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $9.99 | $19.98 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $8.87 | $17.75 |
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 · Apr 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.