Trip from Clearwater, FL to Jacksonville, FL

Drive Time

4h 30m

Distance

221.1 mi

356 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$37

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

4h 17m ★

6 AM

4h 30m

8 AM

4h 57m

10 AM

4h 39m

12 PM

4h 37m

3 PM

4h 41m

5 PM

4h 55m

8 PM

4h 22m

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

Jacksonville, FL

Mike Jones

Trip Overview

Traveling from Clearwater to Jacksonville covers 221.2 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 42 minutes behind the wheel. Because this journey is manageable in a single day, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $36 on fuel for the trip, making it a relatively budget-friendly excursion within Florida. You will navigate primarily via local thoroughfares like Drew Street, Southbound Frontage Road, and Gulf to Bay Boulevard. Since this route avoids major highways entirely, it offers a different pace than typical interstate travel. Use this route if you prefer a direct, local connection between these two coastal 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

110.5 miles from Clearwater, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 12m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate experience, as this route features 0% highway travel. You will navigate through varied local road segments, meaning there is no single long, uninterrupted stretch; in fact, the longest stretch on Drew Street is 0 miles. Because the route relies on surface streets, you should prepare for constant maneuvering and frequent turns. The character of this drive is defined by its focus on local connectivity, requiring more driver attention than a cruise-controlled highway trip. It is a practical, ground-level way to traverse the distance between Clearwater and Jacksonville.

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

There are about 29 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 82.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and US 301. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.9 miles in.

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 221.1 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 4.9 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 21 key points

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

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.

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...

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

121.9 mi into trip | ~2h 24m in

Take the exit toward FL 326

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 358 Toward FL 326

218.8 mi into trip | ~4h 25m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: International Airport, Savannah

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 95 North: International Airport, Savan...

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Clearwater, FL to Jacksonville, 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
I 75	82.3 mi	1h 28m
US 301	75.9 mi	1h 34m
I 275	21.4 mi	26m
I 10	16.8 mi	19m
Courtney Campbell Causeway	8.2 mi	10m
Drew Street	4.2 mi	8m
Gulf to Bay Boulevard	1.9 mi	3m
FL 60	1.5 mi	2m

Longest stretch: I 75 — 82.3 mi, about 1h 28m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Clearwater, FL and Jacksonville, 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

0.4 mi · 49 sec · Southbound Frontage Road

Continue on this road

376 ft · 7 sec · this road

Take the exit

233 ft · 6 sec

Use the left lane.

Merge onto FL 60

1.9 mi · 3 min · Gulf to Bay Boulevard

Use the straight lane.

Continue on FL 60

8.2 mi · 10 min · Courtney Campbell Causeway

Use the straight lane.

Continue on FL 60

0.8 mi · 1 min · FL 60

Use the straight lane.

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.

Keep slight left at fork onto FL 60

1.4 mi · 2 min · Memorial Highway

Toward FL 60: Tampa, St. Petersburg Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 45 sec

Toward I 275 North: Tampa Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 275

21 mi · 26 min · I 275

Toward I 275: Tampa Use the straight lane.

Merge onto I 75

82 mi · 1 hr 28 min · I 75

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 32 sec

Exit 358 Toward FL 326 Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn slight right

144 ft · 4 sec

Turn slight right onto FL 326

1.1 mi · 1 min · FL 326

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on FL 326

1.5 mi · 2 min · Northwest 70th Street

Turn left onto US 301; US 441

5.5 mi · 6 min · US 301; US 441

Use the left lane.

Turn straight onto US 301

52 mi · 1 hr 5 min · US 301

Toward North US 301: Starke Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 301

18 mi · 22 min · US 301

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min

Toward I 10 East: Jacksonville

Merge onto I 10

17 mi · 19 min · I 10

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 33 sec

Toward I 95 South: Jacksonville Beaches, Daytona Beach

Keep slight left at fork

0.7 mi · 56 sec

Toward I 95 North: International Airport, Savannah Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 95

0.7 mi · 1 min · I 95

Take the exit onto US 17; FL 228

0.2 mi · 26 sec · US 17; FL 228

Exit 353B Toward Union Street, Beaver Street

Turn straight onto US 17; US 23; FL 228

0.7 mi · 1 min · Union Street

Use the straight / left lanes.

Arrive at destination

US 17

Trip Plan

Given the local nature of this 221.2-mile journey, plan your departure early to account for the frequent turns and navigating through town centers. Since the route involves heavy local road use, try to time your drive to avoid peak morning or evening traffic congestion in the areas you pass through. You only need to plan for one major stop to keep your energy up over the 3-hour and 42-minute duration. Keep your $36 fuel budget in mind when planning your refueling stops, as local roads may offer different gas station accessibility than interstates. A helpful tip is to rely on a reliable GPS system to manage the constant turns along Drew Street and Gulf to Bay Boulevard.

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 110.5 miles from Clearwater, FL, or about 2h 12m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.3 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 39m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 110.5 miles or 2h 12m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 38m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jacksonville, 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 221.1 miles and 4h 30m.

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 82.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 110.5 mi from Clearwater, FL · 2h 12m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Gainesville, FL

111 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.

Popular next leg

Gainesville, FL to Jacksonville, FL

71.4 mi · 1h 33m

Pacing Suggestions

Bayonet Point, FL

Fuel and coffee

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

Bushnell, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 110.5 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 82.3 miles.

Arriving in Jacksonville, FL

The final approach into Jacksonville, 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 Jacksonville, 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

$36.93 one way

$73.87 round trip

$4.24/gal 25.4 MPG avg 77 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.60	$40.01	$80.01
premium	$4.90	$42.62	$85.24
diesel	$5.64	$49.12	$98.24

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$37

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$62–$87

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 77.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	66.3	0	$23.22	$10.61
Efficient EV	55.3	0	$19.35	$8.84
EV Truck/SUV	88.4	1	$30.95	$14.15

Gas CO2

77 kg

EV CO2

26 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Clearwater, FL

Afternoon in Clearwater on Sunday

Local time

4:34 PM

EDT

Current temp

69°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Jacksonville, FL

Afternoon in Jacksonville on Sunday

Local time

4:34 PM

EDT

Current temp

66°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

3 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

4h 30m 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 Jacksonville, FL covers 221.1 miles and takes about 4h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 75, US 301, 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 110.5 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 $36.93 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.

On the drive from Clearwater, FL to Jacksonville, FL, road signs begin pointing toward St. Petersburg along the way.

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Return Trip

Jacksonville, FL to Clearwater, FL

Plan the drive back the other way.

220 mi 4h 33m

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Trip from Clearwater, FL to Jacksonville, 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 Jacksonville, FL

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Clearwater, FL

Jacksonville, FL

Same local time

3 degrees cooler at arrival

4h 30m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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