[masterchef]

It depends what you intend to do when you get there. You might just want to drive slowly along the coast taking in the surroundings or you might want to park at one location and spend the daylight hours on the beach.

Assuming you are starting from south west of Orlando the return trip to the Gulf Coast will be at least 4 hours. If it's your first Florida beach visit then My suggestion would be to head for Pass a Grille at the bottom end of St Pete Beach.

Be aware that at the time you are going the roads could be very busy near the coast.