The drive from Clearwater, FL to Auburndale, FL covers 66.4 miles and takes about 1h 32m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 4, East Memorial Boulevard, Courtney Campbell Causeway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 27.7 miles on I 4.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $10.57 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
33.2 miles from Clearwater, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 47m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 32m. Total distance: 66.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (52%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Clearwater, FL to Auburndale, FL covers 66.4 miles and takes about 1h 32m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 20 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 27.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.9 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 66.4 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 4.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.9 miles (FL 60): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.6 miles (FL 60 / Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
7
4.9 mi into trip|~9m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
15.9 mi into trip|~25m in|FL 60
Keep slight right at fork onto FL 60 toward FL 60 East, FL 616: Tampa International Airport, Spruce Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward FL 60 East, FL 616: Tampa International...
8
16.6 mi into trip|~26m in|FL 60 / Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 60 / Memorial Highway toward FL 60: Tampa, St. Petersburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward FL 60: Tampa, St. Petersburg
7
23.3 mi into trip|~36m in
Take the exit toward I 4 East: Orlando
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 45B
Toward I 4 East: Orlando
7
51.5 mi into trip|~1h 7m in
Take the exit toward Lakeland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 28
Toward Lakeland
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Clearwater, FL and Auburndale, FL, road signs point toward St. Petersburg and Lakeland.
St. Petersburg
16.6 mi in|~26m|via FL 60
Lakeland
51.5 mi in|~1h 7m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 4
27.7 mi
30m
East Memorial Boulevard
10.6 mi
17m
Courtney Campbell Causeway
8.2 mi
10m
I 275
5.2 mi
7m
Drew Street
4.2 mi
8m
Memorial Boulevard
3.4 mi
5m
Gulf to Bay Boulevard
1.9 mi
3m
FL 60
1.5 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 4
— 27.7 mi, about 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clearwater, FL and Auburndale, FL.
1
Start on North Fort Harrison Avenue
0.2 mi·27 sec·North Fort Harrison Avenue
2
Turn right onto Drew Street
4.2 mi·8 min·Drew Street
3
Take the ramp
198 ft·5 sec
Use the right lane.
4
Merge onto Southbound Frontage Road
0.4 mi·49 sec·Southbound Frontage Road
5
Continue on this road
376 ft·7 sec·this road
6
Take the exit
233 ft·6 sec
Use the left lane.
7
Merge onto FL 60
1.9 mi·3 min·Gulf to Bay Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on FL 60
8.2 mi·10 min·Courtney Campbell Causeway
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on FL 60
0.8 mi·1 min·FL 60
Use the straight lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto FL 60
0.7 mi·59 sec·FL 60
Toward FL 60 East, FL 616: Tampa International Airport, Spruce StreetUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 60
1.4 mi·2 min·Memorial Highway
Toward FL 60: Tampa, St. PetersburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward I 275 North: TampaUse the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 275
5.2 mi·7 min·I 275
Toward I 275: TampaUse the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.5 mi·42 sec
Exit 45BToward I 4 East: OrlandoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 4
28 mi·30 min·I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi·54 sec
Exit 28Toward LakelandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn straight onto FL 546
3.4 mi·5 min·Memorial Boulevard
Use the right lane.
18
Continue on US 92
11 mi·17 min·East Memorial Boulevard
Use the left lane.
19
Turn left onto Main Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Main Street
Use the left lane.
20
Arrive at destination
North Bartow Avenue
Trip Plan
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 33.2 miles from Clearwater, FL, or about 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27.7 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 15 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 33.2 miles or 47m 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 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Auburndale, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Clearwater, FL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Clearwater, FL
This is one driving day of about 66.4 miles and 1h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Clearwater, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 4 for about 27.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 33.2 mi from Clearwater, FL
· 47m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.57 one way
$21.14 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg23 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$11.50
$22.99
premium
$4.72
$12.35
$24.69
diesel
$5.61
$14.66
$29.32
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 23.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
33 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Circuit électrique Charging Station
Largo, Florida
Other
1 DCFC
EV Connect Charging Station
Largo, Florida
EV Connect
1 DCFC
Ionna Charging Station
Largo, Florida
Other
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Clearwater, Florida
Tesla
1 DCFC
Electric Vehicle Charging Station
Largo, Florida
Other
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Clearwater, Florida
Tesla
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Clearwater, Florida
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
E.C.O. Charging Station
Largo, Florida
Other
1 DCFC
Other: 12
Blink: 8
ChargePoint: 6
EV Connect: 2
Tesla: 2
Shell Recharge: 1
Tesla Destination: 1
InCharge: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
19.9
0
$6.97
$3.19
Efficient EV
16.6
0
$5.81
$2.66
EV Truck/SUV
26.6
0
$9.30
$4.25
Gas CO2
23 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (65% 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 as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Clearwater, FL
Night
in Clearwater on Friday
Local time
10:16 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Auburndale, FL
Night
in Auburndale on Friday
Local time
10:16 PM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Sunny
E 3 mph0% chanceLive 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
22 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 32m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Clearwater, FL to Auburndale, FL covers 66.4 miles and takes about 1h 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 4, East Memorial Boulevard, Courtney Campbell Causeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 33.2 miles from Clearwater, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.57 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 66.4 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.9 miles (FL 60): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.6 miles (FL 60 / Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Clearwater, FL and Auburndale, FL, road signs point toward St. Petersburg and Lakeland.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
