Trip from Bartow, FL to Clearwater, FL

Drive Time

1h 31m

Distance

68.1 mi

110 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$11

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 21 min

4 AM

1h 25m ★

6 AM

1h 32m

8 AM

1h 46m

10 AM

1h 36m

12 PM

1h 35m

3 PM

1h 37m

5 PM

1h 45m

8 PM

1h 27m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Bartow, FL

DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ

Clearwater, FL

Arian Fernandez

Trip Overview

Traveling from Bartow to Clearwater covers a 68.1-mile stretch that typically takes about 1 hour and 21 minutes to complete. This trip is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, as the distance is short enough that you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations. You can expect to spend roughly $11 on fuel for the journey, making it a budget-friendly way to transition from the inland landscape of Bartow to the coastal atmosphere of Clearwater. Navigating via Broadway Avenue, Bartow Road, and FL 570, you’ll find this route is straightforward for those looking to reach the Gulf Coast quickly. It is an ideal path for travelers who want to balance a bit of driving with plenty of time to enjoy the destination upon arrival.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

34 miles from Bartow, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 42m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route features zero highway share. You will spend your time navigating local roads that require more focus and engagement than a standard highway trek. Because the route relies on surface streets and local thoroughfares, your speed will likely fluctuate as you transition between different zones. While you won't find long, uninterrupted stretches of open road, the path provides a consistent experience from start to finish. Keep your eyes on the road and be prepared for frequent turns as you make your way across the 68.1-mile distance.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 4 is the longest continuous segment at about 25.7 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

150 ft 7 ft

Total Climb

128 ft

Total Descent

192 ft

Highest Point

150 ft

~14.2 mi in

Elevation Range

144 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 4 and Polk Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 18.3 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 68.1 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 18.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 45 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 50.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

18.3 mi into trip | ~24m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 4 West: Tampa

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 4 West: Tampa

45 mi into trip | ~55m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 275 South: Tampa International Airport, Saint Petersburg

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 275 South: Tampa International Airport...

50.2 mi into trip | ~1h 2m in

Take the exit toward FL 60 West: Tampa International Airport, Clearwater

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 39 Toward FL 60 West: Tampa International Airport,...

50.9 mi into trip | ~1h 3m in | FL 589 Toll / Veterans Expressway

Keep slight left at fork onto FL 589 Toll / Veterans Expressway toward FL 589 Toll

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward FL 589 Toll

51.9 mi into trip | ~1h 5m in

Take the exit toward FL 60 West: Clearwater

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 2A Toward FL 60 West: Clearwater

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Bartow, FL to Clearwater, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Petersburg along the way.

Saint Petersburg

45 mi in | ~55m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 4	25.7 mi	28m
Polk Parkway	9.9 mi	11m
FL 60	9.3 mi	12m
Bartow Road	7 mi	9m
I 275	4.8 mi	6m
Gulf to Bay Boulevard	4.7 mi	9m
Court Street	1.5 mi	3m
Broadway Avenue	1.1 mi	2m

Longest stretch: I 4 — 25.7 mi, about 28m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bartow, FL and Clearwater, FL.

Start on Main Street

51 ft · 5 sec · Main Street

Turn right onto Broadway Avenue

1.1 mi · 2 min · Broadway Avenue

Use the left lane.

Continue on US 98

7.0 mi · 9 min · Bartow Road

Use the left lane.

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 37 sec

Toward FL 570 Toll West: Polk Parkway West Use the right lane.

Merge onto FL 570 Toll

9.9 mi · 11 min · Polk Parkway

Use the right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

1.1 mi · 2 min

Toward I 4 West: Tampa Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 4

26 mi · 28 min · I 4

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 40 sec

Toward I 275 South: Tampa International Airport, Saint Petersburg Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto I 275

4.8 mi · 6 min · I 275

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec

Exit 39 Toward FL 60 West: Tampa International Airport, Clearwater Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto FL 60

0.4 mi · 35 sec · Memorial Highway

Toward FL 60, FL 589 Toll: Tampa International Airport, Clearwater

Keep slight left at fork onto FL 589 Toll

0.9 mi · 1 min · Veterans Expressway

Toward FL 589 Toll Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 49 sec

Exit 2A Toward FL 60 West: Clearwater Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on FL 60

9.3 mi · 12 min · FL 60

Toward FL 60: Clearwater Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on FL 60

4.7 mi · 9 min · Gulf to Bay Boulevard

Use the straight lane.

Continue on FL 60

1.5 mi · 3 min · Court Street

Use the straight lane.

Turn right onto South Ft Harrison Avenue

0.2 mi · 39 sec · South Ft Harrison Avenue

Use the right lane.

Arrive at destination

North Fort Harrison Avenue

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best. Because there are no scheduled stops required for a drive of this duration, you can easily complete the 1 hour and 21-minute journey in one go. If you are sensitive to traffic, try to time your departure to avoid peak local travel hours on the surface streets. Budget approximately $11 for fuel to ensure you are covered for the round trip. A helpful tip for this specific route is to keep a GPS map active, as the turn-heavy nature of the local roads can make it easy to miss a turn if you aren't paying close attention to your navigation.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.

The halfway point lands around 34 miles from Bartow, FL, or about 42m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 25.7 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 68.1 miles or 1h 31m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 34 miles or 42m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 13m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clearwater, FL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Bartow, FL so your first major turns are already loaded.

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Bartow, FL

This is one driving day of about 68.1 miles and 1h 31m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Bartow, FL.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.

The longest stretch is on I 4 for about 25.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 34 mi from Bartow, FL · 42m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

St. Petersburg, FL

34 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

St. Petersburg, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 68.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lakeland, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 34 miles from Bartow, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Clearwater, FL

The final approach into Clearwater, FL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Clearwater, FL.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$11.38 one way

$22.75 round trip

$4.24/gal 25.4 MPG avg 24 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.60	$12.32	$24.64
premium	$4.90	$13.13	$26.25
diesel	$5.64	$15.13	$30.26

Estimated Tolls: $0.07

Veterans Expressway (0.9 mi) $0.07

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$11

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$36–$61

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 23.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	20.4	$7.15	$3.27
Efficient EV	17	$5.96	$2.72
EV Truck/SUV	27.2	$9.53	$4.36

Gas CO2

24 kg

EV CO2

8 kg (67% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Bartow, FL

Evening in Bartow on Sunday

Local time

7:20 PM

EDT

Current temp

63°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Clearwater, FL

Evening in Clearwater on Sunday

Local time

7:20 PM

EDT

Current temp

69°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

6 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

1h 31m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Bartow, FL to Clearwater, FL covers 68.1 miles and takes about 1h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 4, Polk Parkway, FL 60. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 34 miles from Bartow, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.38 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

On the drive from Bartow, FL to Clearwater, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Petersburg along the way.

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Trip from Bartow, FL to Clearwater, FL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

Elevation Profile

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Clearwater, FL

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Bartow, FL

Clearwater, FL

Same local time

6 degrees warmer at arrival

1h 31m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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