Origin
Clearwater, FL
Afternoon in Clearwater on Sunday
Local time
3:25 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Clearwater, FL to Palm Springs, FL
Drive Time
5h 8m
Distance
272.2 mi
438 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$45
one way
Clearwater, FL
Arian Fernandez
Palm Springs, FL
DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ
Trip Overview
Spanning 272.2 miles across Florida, this drive between Clearwater and Palm Springs typically takes about 5 hours and 8 minutes. Because the route is primarily highway-focused, it is easily manageable as a single-day trip without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $45 for fuel to cover the distance. Navigating through the Sunshine Skyway Bridge adds a notable element to the start of your journey. Whether you are traveling for business or a quick getaway, this straightforward path connects two distinct Florida regions efficiently.
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
136.1 miles from Clearwater, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 38m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a high-speed experience, as 90% of this journey takes place on highways. Your route relies heavily on I-75, I-275, and the Sunshine Skyway Bridge to keep you moving toward your destination. You will face a significant, long-haul stretch of 223.2 miles on I-75, which defines the bulk of your time behind the wheel. While the interstate grind is consistent, the transition between these major arteries keeps the drive feeling direct and purposeful. Prepare for a steady, focused pace that prioritizes arrival time over winding, scenic detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 30 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 223.2 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 0.2 miles in near Drew Street.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 272.2 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 0.2 miles (Drew Street): Lane positioning matters here; 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 27 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Drew Street
Turn right onto Drew Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
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 none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
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 none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
250.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 40m in
|
I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward Miami
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Miami
7
268.4 mi into trip
|
~5h in
Take the exit toward SR 826 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 1B
Toward SR 826 South
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Clearwater, FL to Palm Springs, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Miami along the way.
Miami
250.6 mi in
|
~4h 40m
|
via I 75
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 223.2 mi | 3h 59m |
| 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 |
| Express Lanes | 3 mi | 3m |
| West 68th Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| 54th Avenue North | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 223.2 mi, about 3h 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clearwater, FL and Palm Springs, 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
Use the none lane.
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 none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto US 19
4.4 mi
·
6 min
·
US Highway 19 North
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on US 19
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
34th Street North
Use the none lane.
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 none lane.
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 none / 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 none / straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
181 mi
·
3 hr 14 min
·
I 75
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
3.3 mi
·
3 min
·
I 75
Toward Miami
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 75
7.2 mi
·
7 min
·
I 75
Use the none lane.
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
28 sec
Toward Express Lanes
Use the slight left lane.
20
Merge onto Express Lanes
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Express Lanes
Use the none lane.
21
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
31 sec
Toward Northwest 138th Street
Use the slight right lane.
22
Merge onto I 75
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
I 75
Use the none lane.
23
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 1B
Toward SR 826 South
Use the slight right lane.
24
Merge onto SR 826
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
·
Palmetto Expressway
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward Northwest 122nd Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Turn left onto West 68th Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West 68th Street
Use the left lane.
27
Turn right onto West 12th Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West 12th Avenue
Use the none lane.
28
Turn left onto West 56th Place
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West 56th Place
Use the left lane.
29
Turn right onto West 8th Avenue
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
West 8th Avenue
Use the none lane.
30
Arrive at destination
West 8th Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour duration, a single, well-timed stop is all you really need to keep your energy up. Aim to depart early in the morning to avoid peak traffic congestion common on these major Florida interstates. Since the majority of your travel occurs on I-75, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before entering the longest 223.2-mile segment to ensure you aren't forced to stop at crowded stations. The simplicity of this drive allows for great flexibility, so adjust your pace based on real-time traffic reports. If you find yourself needing a break, look for rest areas along the I-75 corridor that can accommodate your quick stop.
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 136.1 miles from Clearwater, FL, or about 2h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 223.2 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 136.1 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 Palm Springs, 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 272.2 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 223.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 136.1 mi from Clearwater, FL · 2h 38m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 136.1 miles from Clearwater, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 223.2 miles.
Arriving in Palm Springs, FL
The final approach into Palm Springs, 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 Palm Springs, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.47 one way
$90.94 round trip
$4.24/gal
25.4 MPG avg
95 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $49.25 | $98.51 |
| premium | $4.90 | $52.47 | $104.94 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $60.47 | $120.95 |
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
$45
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.2 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 | 81.7 | 1 | $28.58 | $13.07 |
| Efficient EV | 68.1 | 0 | $23.82 | $10.89 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 108.9 | 1 | $38.11 | $17.42 |
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.
Destination
Palm Springs, FL
Afternoon in Palm Springs on Sunday
Local time
3:25 PM
EDT
Current temp
71°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
2 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 Palm Springs, FL covers 272.2 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 136.1 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 $45.47 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 27 significant decision points across 272.2 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (Drew Street): Lane positioning matters here; 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.
On the drive from Clearwater, FL to Palm Springs, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Miami along the way.
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