Origin
Clearwater, FL
Afternoon in Clearwater on Sunday
Local time
3:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Clearwater, FL to Brandon, FL
Drive Time
54m
Distance
34.8 mi
56 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
Clearwater, FL
Arian Fernandez
Brandon, FL
DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ
Trip Overview
Traveling from Clearwater to Brandon is a straightforward 34.8-mile journey that typically takes about 54 minutes to complete. Because this is a short, mixed-profile drive, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight logistics. You can expect to spend roughly $6 on fuel for the trek, making it a budget-friendly option for your schedule. The route utilizes a blend of local roads like Drew Street and major thoroughfares such as the Courtney Campbell Causeway and the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick visit, this path efficiently connects these two Florida locations without requiring complex planning.
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
17.4 miles from Clearwater, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 27m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a varied experience behind the wheel as you transition between local streets and high-speed transit corridors. Highway driving accounts for 31% of the total distance, providing a mix of urban navigation and faster stretches. You will encounter the longest uninterrupted segment of the trip during the 8.2-mile stretch across the Courtney Campbell Causeway, which offers a distinct change of pace from the rest of the drive. The personality of the road shifts as you leave the coastal environment of Clearwater and move toward the more suburban feel of Brandon. This combination of surface streets and expressway travel keeps the drive engaging without becoming overly monotonous.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Courtney Campbell Causeway is the longest continuous segment at about 8.2 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 15.9 miles in near FL 60.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 34.8 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 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; at 22.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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 none / straight / slight right lanes.
Toward FL 60: Tampa, St. Petersburg
8
22.4 mi into trip
|
~34m in
Take the exit toward Downtown East, Downtown West
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 44
Toward Downtown East, Downtown West
9
22.4 mi into trip
|
~35m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Downtown East, Scott Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none lane.
Toward Downtown East, Scott Street
8
23.2 mi into trip
|
~36m in
|
East Cass Street
Turn sharp left onto East Cass Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Clearwater, FL to Brandon, FL, road signs begin pointing toward St. Petersburg along the way.
St. Petersburg
16.6 mi in
|
~26m
|
via FL 60
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Courtney Campbell Causeway | 8.2 mi | 10m |
| Lee Roy Selmon Expressway | 5.2 mi | 6m |
| Drew Street | 4.2 mi | 8m |
| I 275 | 4.2 mi | 5m |
| West Brandon Boulevard | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| Adamo Drive | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| Gulf to Bay Boulevard | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| FL 60 | 1.5 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Courtney Campbell Causeway
— 8.2 mi, about 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clearwater, FL and Brandon, 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
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
Southbound Frontage Road
5
Continue on this road
376 ft
·
7 sec
·
this road
Use the none lane.
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 none 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 none 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 Street
Use 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. Petersburg
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Toward I 275 North: Tampa
Use the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 275
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
I 275
Toward I 275: Tampa
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
386 ft
·
9 sec
Exit 44
Toward Downtown East, Downtown West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Toward Downtown East, Scott Street
Use the none lane.
16
Continue on Scott Street
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
Scott Street
17
Turn slight right onto North Orange Avenue
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
·
North Orange Avenue
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn sharp left onto East Cass Street
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
East Cass Street
Use the straight lane.
19
Turn right onto FL 45
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
North Nebraska Avenue
Use the right lane.
20
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
21
Merge onto FL 618 Toll
5.2 mi
·
6 min
·
Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
Use the none lane.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 12
Toward 78th Street
Use the slight right lane.
23
Turn right onto South 78th Street
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
South 78th Street
24
Turn slight right
274 ft
·
15 sec
25
Turn straight onto FL 60
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Adamo Drive
Use the none lane.
26
Continue on FL 60
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
West Brandon Boulevard
Use the left / none lanes.
27
Keep slight right at fork onto FL 60
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
West Brandon Boulevard
Use the left / none lanes.
28
Continue on FL 60
98 ft
·
9 sec
·
West Brandon Boulevard
Use the left lane.
29
Arrive at destination
FL 60
Trip Plan
Since the trip is under an hour, you have significant flexibility in your departure time, though you should account for typical regional traffic patterns during peak commuting hours. You won't need to plan for any formal stops along the way, so feel free to head straight through to your destination. Keep an eye on the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway signage, as this is a key component of navigating toward Brandon efficiently. Because your fuel costs are estimated at only $6, you can easily top off your tank before you leave Clearwater to avoid any mid-trip stops. Staying aware of the transition between the causeway and the expressway will help you maintain a smooth, steady pace throughout the 34.8-mile drive.
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 17.4 miles from Clearwater, FL, or about 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 8.2 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 34.8 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 17.4 miles or 27m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brandon, 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 34.8 miles and 54m.
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.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Courtney Campbell Causeway for about 8.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 17.4 mi from Clearwater, FL · 27m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
17 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 34.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 17.4 miles from Clearwater, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Brandon, FL
The final approach into Brandon, 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 Brandon, 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
$5.81 one way
$11.63 round trip
$4.24/gal
25.4 MPG avg
12 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $6.30 | $12.59 |
| premium | $4.90 | $6.71 | $13.42 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $7.73 | $15.46 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.52
Selmon Expressway
(5.2 mi)
$0.52
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
$6
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.4 | 0 | $3.65 | $1.67 |
| Efficient EV | 8.7 | 0 | $3.04 | $1.39 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 13.9 | 0 | $4.87 | $2.23 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 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.
Destination
Brandon, FL
Afternoon in Brandon on Sunday
Local time
3:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
54m 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 Clearwater, FL to Brandon, FL covers 34.8 miles and takes about 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Courtney Campbell Causeway, Lee Roy Selmon Expressway, Drew Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 17.4 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 $5.81 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 is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 34.8 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 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; at 22.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Clearwater, FL to Brandon, FL, road signs begin pointing toward St. Petersburg along the way.
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