Origin
Clearwater, FL
Afternoon in Clearwater on Friday
Local time
12:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Clearwater, FL to Panama City, FL
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 29m
Distance
329.5 mi
530 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$52
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 20m
★
6 AM
7h 30m
8 AM
7h 50m
10 AM
7h 37m
12 PM
7h 35m
3 PM
7h 38m
5 PM
7h 49m
8 PM
7h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clearwater, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Panama City, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Clearwater, FL to Panama City, FL covers 329.5 miles and takes about 7h 29m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 19, Blountstown Highway, Hampton Springs Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 177.5 miles on US 19. At current regular gas prices, budget about $52.45 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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
164.8 miles from Clearwater, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 46m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 29m. Total distance: 329.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 29m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (61%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This is a 7h 29m highway drive covering 329.5 miles, with most of the trip on US 19 and Blountstown Highway. The longest continuous stretch is about 177.5 miles on US 19.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 19 is the longest continuous segment at about 177.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 19 and Blountstown Highway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in near Fairmont Street.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 7h 29m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 14 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles (Fairmont Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 2.2 miles (CR 576 / Sunset Point Road): Navigation decision point; at 6.7 miles (US 19 Northbound Frontage Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.4 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
Fairmont Street
Enter roundabout onto Fairmont Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
4
2.2 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
CR 576 / Sunset Point Road
Turn right onto CR 576 / Sunset Point Road
Navigation decision point
5
6.7 mi into trip
|
~13m in
|
US 19 Northbound Frontage Road
Turn left onto US 19 Northbound Frontage Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
7.5 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
US 19
Merge onto US 19
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
329.4 mi into trip
|
~7h 29m in
|
Luverne Avenue
Turn right onto Luverne Avenue
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 19 | 177.5 mi | 3h 59m |
| Blountstown Highway | 49.2 mi | 1h 7m |
| Hampton Springs Avenue | 38.6 mi | 49m |
| Bloxham Cutoff Road | 30.8 mi | 42m |
| US 231 | 24.1 mi | 32m |
| Sunset Point Road | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| North Belcher Road | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| North Fort Harrison Avenue | 1.1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
US 19
— 177.5 mi, about 3h 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clearwater, FL and Panama City, FL.
1
Start on North Fort Harrison Avenue
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
North Fort Harrison Avenue
2
Turn right onto Marshall Street
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Marshall Street
3
Continue on Marshall Street
118 ft
·
2 sec
·
Marshall Street
4
Continue on Fulton Avenue
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
Fulton Avenue
5
Enter roundabout onto Fairmont Street
32 ft
·
0 sec
·
Fairmont Street
6
Continue on Fairmont Street
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Fairmont Street
7
Continue on Douglas Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Douglas Avenue
8
Turn right onto CR 576
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Sunset Point Road
9
Turn left onto CR 501
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
North Belcher Road
10
Keep slight right at fork onto Countryside Boulevard
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Countryside Boulevard
11
Turn left onto US 19 Northbound Frontage Road
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
·
US 19 Northbound Frontage Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
12
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward US 19 North
13
Merge onto US 19
178 mi
·
3 hr 59 min
·
US 19
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Turn left onto US 98
39 mi
·
49 min
·
Hampton Springs Avenue
15
Turn right onto FL 267
31 mi
·
42 min
·
Bloxham Cutoff Road
16
At end of road, turn left onto FL 20; FL 267
0.7 mi
·
57 sec
·
Jackson Bluff Road
17
Continue on FL 20; FL 267
49 mi
·
1 hr 7 min
·
Blountstown Highway
18
Turn left onto US 231
24 mi
·
32 min
·
US 231
19
Turn left onto US 231
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Harrison Avenue
20
Turn left onto East 7th Street
228 ft
·
12 sec
·
East 7th Street
21
Turn right onto Luverne Avenue
429 ft
·
18 sec
·
Luverne Avenue
22
Arrive at destination
Luverne Avenue
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 164.8 miles from Clearwater, FL, or about 3h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 177.5 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 72 miles or 1h 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 164.8 miles or 3h 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Panama City, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Clearwater, FL
This is one driving day of about 329.5 miles and 7h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 miles from Clearwater, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 19 for about 177.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 164.8 mi from Clearwater, FL · 3h 46m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
165 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 72 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 164.8 miles from Clearwater, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 19 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 177.5 miles.
Arriving in Panama City, FL
The final approach into Panama City, 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 Panama City, 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
$52.45 one way
$104.90 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
115 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $57.05 | $114.11 |
| premium | $4.72 | $61.27 | $122.54 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $72.75 | $145.50 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 115.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 98.9 | 1 | $34.60 | $15.82 |
| Efficient EV | 82.4 | 0 | $28.83 | $13.18 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 131.8 | 1 | $46.13 | $21.09 |
Gas CO2
115 kg
EV CO2
39 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
Panama City, FL
Morning in Panama City on Friday
Local time
11:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°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
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
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
7h 29m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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 Panama City, FL covers 329.5 miles and takes about 7h 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 19, Blountstown Highway, Hampton Springs Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 164.8 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 $52.45 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
The route itself is not hard, but at 7h 29m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 14 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles (Fairmont Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 2.2 miles (CR 576 / Sunset Point Road): Navigation decision point; at 6.7 miles (US 19 Northbound Frontage Road): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Clearwater, FL to Panama City, FL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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