Origin
Clearwater, FL
Afternoon in Clearwater on Sunday
Local time
3:33 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Clearwater, FL to Avon Park, FL
Drive Time
5h
Distance
264.8 mi
426 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$44
one way
Clearwater, FL
Arian Fernandez
Avon Park, FL
DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Clearwater to Avon Park, expect a journey covering 264.8 miles that typically takes about 5 hours. Because the route is highway-focused, you can easily complete this drive in a single day, making it a straightforward option for those looking to reach their destination without an overnight stop. You should budget approximately $44 for fuel to cover the distance. Navigating through Florida, your path will take you along major arteries including I-275 and I-75. While the trip is efficient, keep in mind that the majority of your time will be spent on high-speed roads, so plan your schedule accordingly to account for traffic patterns common in these busy Florida regions.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
132.4 miles from Clearwater, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 34m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a drive defined by speed and efficiency, as 91% of your journey stays on highways. You will experience a significant stretch of open road, with your longest uninterrupted segment lasting 209.3 miles on I-75. The route includes the notable Sunshine Skyway Bridge, which adds a distinct element to the early portion of your transit. Because this is a highway-focused drive, the pace remains consistent, allowing you to cover ground quickly. Prepare for a steady, interstate-heavy experience that prioritizes direct travel over the winding, technical roads found in rural areas.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 75 is the longest continuous segment at about 209.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Sunshine Skyway Bridge. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Drew Street.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 264.8 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 0.2 miles (Drew Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.4 miles (US 19 / US Highway 19 North): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 250.6 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Drew Street
Turn right onto Drew Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
10.4 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
US 19 / US Highway 19 North
Keep slight left at fork onto US 19 / US Highway 19 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
250.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 40m in
|
I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 19
Toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Spr...
7
260.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 52m in
Take the exit toward SR 84 East: Marina Mile Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 9C
Toward SR 84 East: Marina Mile Boulevard
7
261.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 53m in
|
SR 84
Keep slight left at fork onto SR 84 toward SR 84 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Toward SR 84 East
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Clearwater, FL to Avon Park, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Lauderdale along the way.
Fort Lauderdale
250.6 mi in
|
~4h 40m
|
via I 595
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 209.3 mi | 3h 44m |
| Sunshine Skyway Bridge | 13.4 mi | 15m |
| I 275 | 11.2 mi | 14m |
| Port Everglades Expressway | 10.1 mi | 11m |
| US Highway 19 North | 10.1 mi | 14m |
| Drew Street | 4.2 mi | 8m |
| Southwest 30th Avenue | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| SR 84 | 1.6 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 209.3 mi, about 3h 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clearwater, FL and Avon Park, 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
Use the none lane.
3
Take the ramp
198 ft
·
5 sec
Use the right lane.
4
Merge onto Southbound Frontage Road
355 ft
·
8 sec
·
Southbound Frontage Road
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward US 19 South
6
Merge onto US 19
5.7 mi
·
7 min
·
US Highway 19 North
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto US 19
4.4 mi
·
6 min
·
US Highway 19 North
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on US 19
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
34th Street North
Use the none lane.
9
Turn left onto 54th Avenue North
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
54th Avenue North
Use the left lane.
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 275 South
Use the right lane.
11
Merge onto I 275
10 mi
·
11 min
·
I 275
Use the none lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
17 sec
13
Merge onto I 275; US 19
13 mi
·
15 min
·
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 275
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
I 275
Toward I 75 South: Naples
15
Merge onto I 75
28 mi
·
30 min
·
I 75
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
181 mi
·
3 hr 14 min
·
I 75
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 595
10 mi
·
11 min
·
Port Everglades Expressway
Exit 19
Toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 9C
Toward SR 84 East: Marina Mile Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn straight onto SR 84
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
SR 84
Toward I 595 East, SR 84 East
20
Keep slight left at fork onto SR 84
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
SR 84
Toward SR 84 East
Use the none lane.
21
Turn right onto Southwest 30th Avenue
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Southwest 30th Avenue
Use the right lane.
22
At end of road, turn left onto SR 818
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
Griffin Road
Use the none lane.
23
Turn slight left
107 ft
·
4 sec
Use the left lane.
24
Turn left onto Southwest 27th Avenue
0.2 mi
·
49 sec
·
Southwest 27th Avenue
25
Arrive at destination
Southwest 27th Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a 5-hour trek, plan your departure to avoid peak congestion times on the interstates, especially when crossing the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. You only have one planned stop on this route, so make it count by refueling or stretching your legs once you have completed your longest stretch on I-75. Given the high percentage of highway travel, keep your cruise control set and remain attentive to lane changes during busier sections of the interstate. Use your flexibility to leave early in the morning, which will help you navigate the 264.8-mile distance with less stress and arrive in Avon Park before the end of the day.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 132.4 miles from Clearwater, FL, or about 2h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 209.3 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 80 miles or 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.4 miles or 2h 34m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Avon Park, 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.
+
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 Clearwater, FL
This is one driving day of about 264.8 miles and 5h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Clearwater, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 209.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 132.4 mi from Clearwater, FL · 2h 34m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
132 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 132.4 miles from Clearwater, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 209.3 miles.
Arriving in Avon Park, FL
The final approach into Avon Park, 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 Avon Park, FL.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.23 one way
$88.47 round trip
$4.24/gal
25.4 MPG avg
93 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $47.91 | $95.83 |
| premium | $4.90 | $51.04 | $102.08 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $58.83 | $117.66 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.94
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
(13.4 mi)
$0.94
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
$44
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 79.4 | 0 | $27.80 | $12.71 |
| Efficient EV | 66.2 | 0 | $23.17 | $10.59 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 105.9 | 1 | $37.07 | $16.95 |
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Destination
Avon Park, FL
Afternoon in Avon Park on Sunday
Local time
3:33 PM
EDT
Current temp
70°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
1 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
5h on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 Avon Park, FL covers 264.8 miles and takes about 5h without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, Sunshine Skyway Bridge, I 275. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 132.4 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 $44.23 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 264.8 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (Drew Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.4 miles (US 19 / US Highway 19 North): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 250.6 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Clearwater, FL to Avon Park, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Lauderdale along the way.
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