How far is St. Petersburg, FL from Fort Lauderdale, FL?

The driving distance from St. Petersburg, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL is about 248 miles (399.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 31m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 193.3 miles (311.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 03m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
247.98 mi
03h 31m
Flight
193.3 mi
311.09 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from St. Petersburg.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
193.3 mi
Kilometers
311.09 km
Flight Time
00h 23m

Driving Distance

Road route
247.98 mi
Kilometers
399.09 km
Drive Time
03h 31m

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 31m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Fort Lauderdale
Sun, May 31, 4:06 AM EDT
Return by in St. Petersburg
Sun, May 31, 7:38 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave St. Petersburg
2026-05-31T00:34
Arrive Fort Lauderdale
Sun, May 31, 4:06 AM EDT
Route Timing
03h 31m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:32 AM to 11:32 AM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:56 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in St. Petersburg
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Three Oaks
FL

City in Berrien County, Michigan, United States of America

From St. Petersburg
123.7 mi
01h 45m
To Fort Lauderdale
124.3 mi
01h 45m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
92°F
Sunday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 9 mph W
Destination
90°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 7 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between St. Petersburg and Fort Lauderdale.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between St. Petersburg and Fort Lauderdale.

  1. 1

    Start on 34th Street South

    15 m · 5 sec · 34th Street South

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Central Avenue

    1304 ft · 51 sec · Central Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto 31st Street South

    1.1 km · 1 min · 31st Street South

  4. 4

    Take the ramp slight right

    2760 ft · 1 min

  5. 5

    Merge slight right

    4.9 mi · 6 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight left

    1406 ft · 17 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight right onto Sunshine Skyway Bridge

    13.4 mi · 15 min · Sunshine Skyway Bridge

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on I 75 South: Naples

    1.1 mi · 2 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    28 mi · 30 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight left

    181.3 mi · 3 hr 14 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on Port Everglades Expressway

    10.1 mi · 12 min · Port Everglades Expressway

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward FL 84 East: Marina Mile Boulevard

    1302 ft · 32 sec

  13. 13

    Turn straight onto I 595 East, FL 84 East

    991 ft · 19 sec

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on FL 84 East

    2 mi · 4 min

  15. 15

    Keep slight right to continue on Marina Boulevard

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Marina Boulevard

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Southwest 4th Avenue

    2736 ft · 1 min · Southwest 4th Avenue

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Southwest 17th Street

    1594 ft · 34 sec · Southwest 17th Street

  18. 18

    Continue on Southeast 17th Street

    780 ft · 25 sec · Southeast 17th Street

  19. 19

    Turn left onto Southeast 3rd Avenue

    1.5 mi · 3 min · Southeast 3rd Avenue

  20. 20

    Turn left onto East Broward Boulevard

    988 ft · 35 sec · East Broward Boulevard

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Broward Boulevard

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between St. Petersburg and Fort Lauderdale.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
21 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
3 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 75 South
210 mi · 85%
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
13.4 mi · 5%
Port Everglades Expressway
10.1 mi · 4%
31st Street South
6.4 mi · 3%
FL 84 East
2.21 mi · 1%
Marina Boulevard
1.57 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 75 South

Keep slight left

181 mi · 03h 14m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 31m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+54.7 mi
193.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Three Oaks
01h 45m from St. Petersburg
Leave By
9:56 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving St. Petersburg and Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Fort Lauderdale.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from St. Petersburg to Fort Lauderdale?

The road trip is about 248 miles (399.1 km) and usually takes 03h 31m 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?

Three Oaks is a useful midpoint, sitting about 123.7 miles from St. Petersburg and 124.3 miles from Fort Lauderdale.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 193.3 miles (311.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 54.7 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 EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:56 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.29 one way or $72.59 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 77.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around St. Petersburg and Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Fort Lauderdale.

Stop Ideas Near Three Oaks

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Three Oaks, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Three Oaks.

BUS

Fort Myers, Florida

25 mi away
6050 Plaza Drive
BUS

Port Charlotte, Florida

66 mi away
909 King Highway

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between St. Petersburg and Fort Lauderdale. Straight-line distance: 193.3 mi (311.09 km).

St. Petersburg

#1 St. Petersburg

The second most populous city in Florida.

Population253,693
Coordinates27.7708600, -82.6792700
Altitude13
CountryUnited States
Fort Lauderdale

#2 Fort Lauderdale

The second most populous city in Broward County, Florida.

Population184,245
Coordinates26.1223100, -80.1433800
Altitude1
CountryUnited States
Start: 34th Street South (-82.679372, 27.77086)
End: East Broward Boulevard (-80.143382, 26.122355)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 399 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 15m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 11m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 57m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 07m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 32m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 05m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.75 gal
33.12 L · about $36.29
Round trip
$72.59
17.5 gal · 66.24 L
Estimated CO2
77.8 kg one way
Round trip: 155.5 kg / 343 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.15 $36.29 $72.59
Mid-grade $4.60 $40.22 $80.43
Premium $4.90 $42.84 $85.68
Diesel $4.35 $38.06 $76.13

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 31, 2026

There is no time difference between St. Petersburg and Fort Lauderdale. The current time is 00:34:40.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.