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Trip from Clearwater, FL to Miami Gardens, FL

Drive Time

5h 8m

Distance

271.9 mi

438 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$45

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 55m ★
6 AM
5h 9m
8 AM
5h 36m
10 AM
5h 18m
12 PM
5h 15m
3 PM
5h 19m
5 PM
5h 34m
8 PM
5h 1m

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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Downtown Clearwater, FL, FL

Clearwater, FL

Arian Fernandez

Downtown Miami Gardens, FL, FL

Miami Gardens, FL

DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ

Trip Overview

The drive from Clearwater, FL to Miami Gardens, FL covers 271.9 miles and takes about 5h 8m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 75, Sunshine Skyway Bridge, I 275 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 209.3 miles on I 75. At current regular gas prices, budget about $45.42 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

136 miles from Clearwater, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 38m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 5h 8m highway drive covering 271.9 miles, with most of the trip on I 75 and Sunshine Skyway Bridge. The longest continuous stretch is about 209.3 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 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 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 250.6 miles in near I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway.

Route Complexity 10/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 271.9 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 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 259.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 260.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 25 key points

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

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...
8
259.6 mi into trip | ~4h 51m in

Take the exit toward US 441: Orlando, Miami, Florida's Turnpike

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 8; 9A-B Toward US 441: Orlando, Miami, Florida's Turnpi...
7
260.2 mi into trip | ~4h 52m in

Take the ramp toward Florida's Turnpike, Miami South, Orlando North

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / right lanes. Exit 8 Toward Florida's Turnpike, Miami South, Orlando...
8
260.6 mi into trip | ~4h 53m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike
8
269.5 mi into trip | ~5h 4m in

Take the exit toward Northwest 199th Street, Hard Rock Stadium

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 2X Toward Northwest 199th Street, Hard Rock Stadiu...

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Clearwater, FL to Miami Gardens, 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
US Highway 19 North 10.1 mi 14m
Port Everglades Expressway 9 mi 10m
Florida's Turnpike 8.2 mi 9m
Drew Street 4.2 mi 8m
Northwest 27th Avenue 0.9 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 Miami Gardens, 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 South Use 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

9.0 mi · 10 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

0.1 mi · 18 sec
Exit 8; 9A-B Toward US 441: Orlando, Miami, Florida's Turnpike Use the slight right lane.
19

Turn straight onto SR 84

0.4 mi · 37 sec · SR 84
Toward SR 84 East, I 595 East, US 441: Florida's Turnpike, North Orlando, South Miami
20

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 46 sec
Exit 8 Toward Florida's Turnpike, Miami South, Orlando North Use the straight / right lanes.
21

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 56 sec
Toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike South
23

Merge onto Florida's Turnpike

8.2 mi · 9 min · Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 2X Toward Northwest 199th Street, Hard Rock Stadium Use the slight right lane.
25

Continue on this road

0.1 mi · 21 sec · this road
26

Turn right onto Northwest 199th Street

0.8 mi · 1 min · Northwest 199th Street
Use the left / right lanes.
27

Turn left onto SR 817

0.9 mi · 1 min · Northwest 27th Avenue
Use the left lane.
28

Turn right

42 ft · 3 sec
29

Arrive at destination

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 136 miles from Clearwater, FL, or about 2h 38m 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 136 miles or 2h 38m 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 11m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Miami Gardens, 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 271.9 miles and 5h 8m.

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 136 mi from Clearwater, FL · 2h 38m into the drive

Downtown Punta Gorda, FL, FL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Punta Gorda, FL

136 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 136 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 209.3 miles.

Arriving in Miami Gardens, FL

The final approach into Miami Gardens, 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 Miami Gardens, 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

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 ~15 min detour Free near mile 37.5
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$45.42 one way

$90.84 round trip

$4.24/gal 25.4 MPG avg 95 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.60 $49.20 $98.40
premium $4.90 $52.41 $104.82
diesel $5.64 $60.41 $120.81

Estimated Tolls: $1.51

Sunshine Skyway Bridge (13.4 mi) $0.94
Florida's Turnpike (8.2 mi) $0.57

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

$45

Tolls

$2

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$72–$97

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 95.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 81.6 1 $28.55 $13.05
Efficient EV 68 0 $23.79 $10.88
EV Truck/SUV 108.8 1 $38.07 $17.40

Gas CO2

95 kg

EV CO2

32 kg (66% 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 3 days ago

Origin

Clearwater, FL

Morning in Clearwater on Monday

Local time

10:29 AM

EDT

Current temp

69°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Miami Gardens, FL

Morning in Miami Gardens on Monday

Local time

10:29 AM

EDT

Current temp

83°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

14 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 8m 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 Miami Gardens, FL covers 271.9 miles and takes about 5h 8m 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 136 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 $45.42 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 25 significant decision points across 271.9 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 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 259.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 260.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Clearwater, FL to Miami Gardens, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Lauderdale along the way.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Miami Gardens, FL to Clearwater, FL

Plan the drive back the other way.

271.2 mi 5h 9m

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