Clearwater, FL to Hollywood, FL is 269.3 miles and takes about 5h 4m via I 75 and Sunshine Skyway Bridge, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Florida, traversing the state's western side before heading south. Expect a highway-focused experience for most of the trip, making it a straightforward journey. With only one recommended stop and a total duration under six hours, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion, allowing ample time for your destination.
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
134.7 miles from Clearwater, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 36m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 4m. Total distance: 269.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This drive is predominantly a highway-focused experience, with 92% of the route utilizing major roadways like I 75 and the Port Everglades Expressway. You'll encounter the impressive Sunshine Skyway Bridge as part of your journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 209.3 miles on I 75, indicating long periods of consistent driving. The character of the drive is one of efficient travel, minimizing time on slower roads and maximizing time on the interstate.
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 10.4 miles in near US 19 / US Highway 19 North.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 269.3 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 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; at 263 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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 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
263 mi into trip|~4h 55m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South: Miami
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 10B
Toward I 95 South: Miami
7
267.7 mi into trip|~5h 1m in
Take the exit toward SR 820: Hollywood Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 20
Toward SR 820: Hollywood Boulevard
7
268.8 mi into trip|~5h 3m in|SR 820 / Hollywood Boulevard
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 820 / Hollywood Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Clearwater, FL to Hollywood, 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
Port Everglades Expressway
12.4 mi
14m
I 275
11.2 mi
14m
US Highway 19 North
10.1 mi
14m
Drew Street
4.2 mi
8m
I 95
3.8 mi
4m
Hollywood Boulevard
1.1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 209.3 mi, about 3h 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clearwater, FL and Hollywood, 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
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 straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto US 19
4.4 mi·6 min·US Highway 19 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on US 19
0.6 mi·1 min·34th Street North
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 SouthUse the right lane.
11
Merge onto I 275
10 mi·11 min·I 275
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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 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 straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
181 mi·3 hr 14 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 595
12 mi·14 min·Port Everglades Expressway
Exit 19Toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Springs, Fort LauderdaleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 10BToward I 95 South: MiamiUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward I 95 South: Miami
20
Merge onto I 95
3.8 mi·4 min·I 95
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Exit 20Toward SR 820: Hollywood BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
22
Turn left onto SR 820
0.6 mi·1 min·Hollywood Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
23
Continue on SR 820
391 ft·5 sec·SR 820
24
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 820
0.5 mi·38 sec·Hollywood Boulevard
Use the right lane.
25
Arrive at destination
SR 820
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 4m duration, starting your drive in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight. With only one recommended stop and a budget of $43 for fuel, you can plan for a relatively uninterrupted journey. Consider fueling up before you begin, as the longest stretch on I 75 is quite substantial. This route is well-suited for a single-day trip, so you have flexibility in your departure time and can arrive at your destination with plenty of the day remaining.
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 134.7 miles from Clearwater, FL, or about 2h 36m 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 59 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134.7 miles or 2h 36m 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 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hollywood, 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 269.3 miles and 5h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 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 134.7 mi from Clearwater, FL
· 2h 36m into the drive
The midpoint is around 135.7 miles from Clearwater, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Hollywood, FL
The final approach into Hollywood, 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 Hollywood, 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...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 37.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.87 one way
$85.73 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg94 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$46.63
$93.26
premium
$4.72
$50.07
$100.15
diesel
$5.61
$59.46
$118.92
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
$43
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.8
0
$28.28
$12.93
Efficient EV
67.3
0
$23.56
$10.77
EV Truck/SUV
107.7
1
$37.70
$17.24
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Clearwater, FL
Morning
in Clearwater on Friday
Local time
11:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Sunny
NNE 2 to 8 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Hollywood, FL
Morning
in Hollywood on Friday
Local time
11:14 AM
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
15 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
5h 4m 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 Hollywood, FL covers 269.3 miles and takes about 5h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, Sunshine Skyway Bridge, Port Everglades Expressway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 134.7 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 $42.87 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 21 significant decision points across 269.3 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.
The main spots that need attention: 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; at 263 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Clearwater, FL to Hollywood, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Lauderdale along the way.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
