Trip from Clearwater, FL to Palatka, FL

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

3h 40m

Distance

177.2 mi

285 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$28

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min

4 AM

3h 28m ★

6 AM

3h 41m

8 AM

4h 6m

10 AM

3h 49m

12 PM

3h 47m

3 PM

3h 51m

5 PM

4h 5m

8 PM

3h 33m

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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county seat of Pinellas County, Florida, United States

Clearwater, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Palatka, FL

DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ

Trip Overview

This 177.2-mile drive from Clearwater, FL to Palatka, FL is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 40 minutes. You'll primarily travel on I-75 and US-301, with a portion on Hawthorne Road. With an estimated fuel cost of $28, this highway-focused trip is budget-friendly for a day excursion. Given its manageable distance and duration, it's well-suited for a one-day adventure without the need for an overnight stop. The route efficiently connects two points within Florida, making it a practical option for travelers looking to move between these areas.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

88.6 miles from Clearwater, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 48m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 40m. Total distance: 177.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this 177.2-mile route, with 74% of the journey taking place on major roadways like I-75 and US-301. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a significant 82.3 miles on I-75, offering a chance to settle into a steady pace. While the majority of the drive involves familiar highway travel, the inclusion of Hawthorne Road and US-301 may introduce slightly different road conditions as you progress towards Palatka. This profile suggests a drive that prioritizes efficient travel over winding scenic byways.

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 82.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

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

Driving Effort 10/10

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 17 significant decision points across 177.2 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 17 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

17.9 mi into trip | ~28m in

Take the exit toward I 275 North: Tampa

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

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

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

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 Palatka, 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
Hawthorne Road	27.7 mi	39m
US 301	24.2 mi	30m
I 275	21.4 mi	26m
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 Palatka, 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

19 mi · 23 min · US 301

Toward North US 301: Starke

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec

Merge onto FL 20

28 mi · 39 min · Hawthorne Road

Keep slight left at fork onto FL 20

0.3 mi · 1 min · 9th Street

Turn right onto US 17; FL 100

14 ft · 0 sec · Reid Street

Arrive at destination

US 17; FL 100

Trip Plan

With a total duration of just under 4 hours, this 177.2-mile trip from Clearwater to Palatka offers plenty of flexibility. You can depart in the morning and arrive by midday, or even leave in the afternoon. The longest stretch without a major road change is 82.3 miles on I-75, so plan your stops accordingly, perhaps before or after this segment. With a fuel cost around $28, you won't need to worry excessively about frequent refueling, but it's always wise to top off before heading out. One concrete tip: utilize the I-75 segment for consistent progress, then be prepared for potential changes in traffic or speed limits as you transition to US-301 and Hawthorne Road closer to Palatka.

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 88.6 miles from Clearwater, FL, or about 1h 48m 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 39 miles or 55m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 88.6 miles or 1h 48m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 54m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Palatka, 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 177.2 miles and 3h 40m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 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 88.6 mi from Clearwater, FL · 1h 48m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bushnell, FL

89 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

Mango, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bushnell, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 88.6 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 82.3 miles.

Arriving in Palatka, FL

The final approach into Palatka, 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 Palatka, 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

$28.21 one way

$56.41 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 62 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.40	$30.68	$61.36
premium	$4.72	$32.95	$65.90
diesel	$5.61	$39.12	$78.25

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$28

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$53–$78

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 62 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	53.2	$18.61	$8.51
Efficient EV	44.3	$15.50	$7.09
EV Truck/SUV	70.9	$24.81	$11.34

Gas CO2

62 kg

EV CO2

21 kg (66% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Clearwater, FL

Night in Clearwater on Thursday

Local time

11:49 PM

EDT

Current temp

67°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Palatka, FL

Night in Palatka on Thursday

Local time

11:49 PM

EDT

Current temp

57°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

10 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

3h 40m 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 Palatka, FL covers 177.2 miles and takes about 3h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 75, Hawthorne Road, US 301. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 88.6 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 $28.21 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.