Trip from Clearwater, FL to Florida City, FL

Drive Time

5h 42m

Distance

299.3 mi

482 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$50

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

5h 29m ★

6 AM

5h 42m

8 AM

6h 9m

10 AM

5h 52m

12 PM

5h 49m

3 PM

5h 53m

5 PM

6h 7m

8 PM

5h 34m

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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Clearwater, FL

Arian Fernandez

Florida City, FL

Larry Milligan

Trip Overview

The drive from Clearwater, FL to Florida City, FL covers 299.3 miles and takes about 5h 42m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 75, Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike, US 27 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 203.8 miles on I 75. At current regular gas prices, budget about $50.00 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

149.6 miles from Clearwater, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 52m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 5h 42m highway drive covering 299.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 75 and Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike. The longest continuous stretch is about 203.8 miles on I 75.

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

There are about 26 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 203.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.5 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 299.3 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 4.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 10.4 miles (US 19 / US Highway 19 North): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 69.3 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 23 key points

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

4.5 mi into trip | ~8m in

Take the exit toward US 19 South

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward US 19 South

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 straight / slight right lanes.

69.3 mi into trip | ~1h 26m in | I 75

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

255 mi into trip | ~4h 47m in | US 27

Keep slight right at fork onto US 27

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

299 mi into trip | ~5h 41m in | FL 9336 / Southwest 344th Street

Turn right onto FL 9336 / Southwest 344th Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Towns Along This Route

Between Clearwater, FL and Florida City, FL, road signs point toward Bay, Florida's Turnpike South: Homestead and Key West.

Bay

245.1 mi in | ~4h 35m

Florida's Turnpike South: Homestead

263.6 mi in | ~4h 58m

Key West

263.6 mi in | ~4h 58m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 75	203.8 mi	3h 38m
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike	34.5 mi	40m
US 27	17.9 mi	22m
Sunshine Skyway Bridge	13.4 mi	15m
I 275	11.2 mi	14m
US Highway 19 North	10.1 mi	14m
Drew Street	4.2 mi	8m
54th Avenue North	0.8 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 75 — 203.8 mi, about 3h 38m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on North Fort Harrison Avenue

0.2 mi · 27 sec · North Fort Harrison Avenue

Turn right onto Drew Street

4.2 mi · 8 min · Drew Street

Take the ramp

198 ft · 5 sec

Use the right lane.

Merge onto Southbound Frontage Road

355 ft · 8 sec · Southbound Frontage Road

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec

Toward US 19 South

Merge onto US 19

5.7 mi · 7 min · US Highway 19 North

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 19

4.4 mi · 6 min · US Highway 19 North

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 19

0.6 mi · 1 min · 34th Street North

Turn left onto 54th Avenue North

0.8 mi · 1 min · 54th Avenue North

Use the left lane.

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 31 sec

Toward I 275 South Use the right lane.

Merge onto I 275

10 mi · 11 min · I 275

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 17 sec

Merge onto I 275; US 19

13 mi · 15 min · Sunshine Skyway Bridge

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 275

1.1 mi · 2 min · I 275

Toward I 75 South: Naples

Merge onto I 75

28 mi · 30 min · I 75

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75

176 mi · 3 hr 8 min · I 75

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 21 sec

Toward US 27: Miami, South Bay

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 58 sec

Toward US 27 South: Miami

Merge onto US 27

9.2 mi · 11 min · US 27

Use the right lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto US 27

8.6 mi · 11 min · US 27

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 32 sec

Toward Florida's Turnpike South: Homestead, Key West

Merge onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike

35 mi · 40 min · Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min

Merge onto US 1

520 ft · 13 sec · Dixie Highway

Turn right onto FL 9336

0.3 mi · 41 sec · Southwest 344th Street

Use the right lane.

Arrive at destination

FL 9336

Trip Plan

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 149.6 miles from Clearwater, FL, or about 2h 52m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 203.8 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 149.6 miles or 2h 52m 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 35m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Florida City, 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 299.3 miles and 5h 42m.

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 203.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 149.6 mi from Clearwater, FL · 2h 52m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cape Coral, FL

150 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

Rotonda West, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Cape Coral, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 149.6 miles from Clearwater, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 203.8 miles.

Arriving in Florida City, FL

The final approach into Florida City, 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 Florida City, 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

De Soto National Memorial

National Memorial

In May 1539, Conquistador Hernando de Soto’s army of soldiers, hired mercenaries, craftsmen, and clergy made landfall in Tampa Bay. They were met with fierce resistance of indigenous people protecting...

7 mi from route ~18 min detour Free near mile 31

View on nps.gov

Biscayne National Park

National Park

Within sight of Miami, yet worlds away, Biscayne protects a rare combination of aquamarine waters, emerald islands, and fish-bejeweled coral reefs. Evidence of 10,000 years of human history is here to...

10 mi from route ~25 min detour Free near mile 289

View on nps.gov

Everglades National Park

National Park

Established in 1947 as the first national park created for its biodiversity, Everglades National Park protects 1.5 million acres of wetland, forest, and marine habitats and the native plants and anima...

26 mi from route ~64 min detour $35 near mile 299.3

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$50.00 one way

$99.99 round trip

$4.24/gal 25.4 MPG avg 105 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.60	$54.16	$108.31
premium	$4.90	$57.69	$115.38
diesel	$5.64	$66.49	$132.99

Estimated Tolls: $3.01

Homestead Extension (34.5 mi) $2.07

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

$50

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$78–$103

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 104.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	89.8	1	$31.43	$14.37
Efficient EV	74.8	0	$26.19	$11.97
EV Truck/SUV	119.7	1	$41.90	$19.16

Gas CO2

105 kg

EV CO2

35 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 1 hour ago

Origin

Clearwater, FL

Morning in Clearwater on Monday

Local time

10:26 AM

EDT

Current temp

83°F

Mostly Sunny

E 6 to 9 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 13 at 5:08AM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL

Rip Current Statement

Rip Current Statement issued April 13 at 3:09AM EDT until April 14 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL

Destination

Florida City, FL

Morning in Florida City on Monday

Local time

10:26 AM

EDT

Current temp

84°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 42m 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 Florida City, FL covers 299.3 miles and takes about 5h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 75, Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike, US 27. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 149.6 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 $50.00 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.

Between Clearwater, FL and Florida City, FL, road signs point toward Bay, Florida's Turnpike South: Homestead and Key West.

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Return Trip

Florida City, FL to Clearwater, FL

Plan the drive back the other way.

300.1 mi 5h 45m

Explore more options from Clearwater, FL or browse trips ending in Florida City, FL.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse FL road trips.

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Trip from Clearwater, FL to Florida City, FL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

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 Florida City, FL

National Parks Near This Route

De Soto National Memorial

Biscayne National Park

Everglades National Park

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Clearwater, FL

Florida City, FL

Same local time

1 degrees warmer at arrival

5h 42m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Was this route helpful?

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