The drive from Clearwater, FL to Ponte Vedra Beach, FL covers 241.2 miles and takes about 4h 51m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 4, I 95, Courtney Campbell Causeway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 131 miles on I 4.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $38.39 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
120.6 miles from Clearwater, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 25m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 51m. Total distance: 241.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 4h 51m highway drive covering 241.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 4 and I 95. The longest continuous stretch is about 131 miles on I 4.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 35 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 4 is the longest continuous segment at about 131 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 4 and I 95. 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 Effort10/10
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 26 significant decision points across 241.2 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 26 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
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.
8
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...
8
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
7
23.3 mi into trip|~36m in
Take the exit toward I 4 East: Orlando
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 45B
Toward I 4 East: Orlando
8
223.6 mi into trip|~4h 19m in
Take the exit toward CR 210: Ponte Vedra Beach, Green Cove Springs
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 329
Toward CR 210: Ponte Vedra Beach, Green Cove Sp...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Clearwater, FL and Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, road signs point toward St. Petersburg, Jacksonville, Cr 210: Ponte Vedra Beach, Green Cove Springs and Nocatee Parkway East.
St. Petersburg
16.6 mi in|~26m|via FL 60
Jacksonville
154.8 mi in|~3h 4m
Cr 210: Ponte Vedra Beach
223.6 mi in|~4h 19m
Green Cove Springs
223.6 mi in|~4h 19m
Nocatee Parkway East
228.5 mi in|~4h 28m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 4
131 mi
2h 27m
I 95
66.3 mi
1h 11m
Courtney Campbell Causeway
8.2 mi
10m
Palm Valley Road
6 mi
8m
I 275
5.2 mi
7m
County Road 210 West
4.6 mi
7m
Drew Street
4.2 mi
8m
Nocatee Parkway
2.6 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 4
— 131 mi, about 2h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clearwater, FL and Ponte Vedra Beach, 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
0.4 mi·49 sec·Southbound Frontage Road
5
Continue on this road
376 ft·7 sec·this road
6
Take the exit
233 ft·6 sec
Use the left lane.
7
Merge onto FL 60
1.9 mi·3 min·Gulf to Bay Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on FL 60
8.2 mi·10 min·Courtney Campbell Causeway
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on FL 60
0.8 mi·1 min·FL 60
Use the straight lane.
10
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 StreetUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 60
1.4 mi·2 min·Memorial Highway
Toward FL 60: Tampa, St. PetersburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward I 275 North: TampaUse the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 275
5.2 mi·7 min·I 275
Toward I 275: TampaUse the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.5 mi·42 sec
Exit 45BToward I 4 East: OrlandoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 4
61 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 4
13 mi·16 min·I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 4
57 mi·1 hr 4 min·I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·14 sec
Toward I 95: Miami, Jacksonville
19
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi·2 min
Toward I 95 North, US 92 North: Jacksonville
20
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 North: JacksonvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto I 95
66 mi·1 hr 11 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Exit 329Toward CR 210: Ponte Vedra Beach, Green Cove SpringsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn right onto CR 210
4.6 mi·7 min·County Road 210 West
24
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward Nocatee Parkway East, Ponte Vedra Beach
25
Merge onto Nocatee Parkway
2.6 mi·3 min·Nocatee Parkway
26
Continue on CR 210
2.5 mi·3 min·Palm Valley Road
27
Enter roundabout onto CR 210
365 ft·6 sec·Palm Valley Road
28
Continue on CR 210
3.4 mi·5 min·Palm Valley Road
Use the left lane.
29
At end of road, turn left onto SR A1A
1.3 mi·2 min·SR A1A
Use the left / right lanes.
30
Continue on SR A1A
1.0 mi·1 min·SR A1A
Use the left lane.
31
Turn right onto Solana Road
0.3 mi·46 sec·Solana Road
32
Turn left onto San Juan Drive
97 ft·5 sec·San Juan Drive
33
Continue on San Juan Drive
0.3 mi·1 min·San Juan Drive
34
Turn left onto Pablo Road
0.8 mi·3 min·Pablo Road
35
Arrive at destination
Pablo Road
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 120.6 miles from Clearwater, FL, or about 2h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 131 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 53 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 120.6 miles or 2h 25m 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 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ponte Vedra Beach, 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 241.2 miles and 4h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 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 4 for about 131 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 120.6 mi from Clearwater, FL
· 2h 25m into the drive
The midpoint is around 120.6 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 4 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 131 miles.
Arriving in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
The final approach into Ponte Vedra Beach, 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 Ponte Vedra Beach, 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.
Fort Matanzas National Monument
National Monument
Fort Matanzas National Monument preserves the fortified coquina watchtower, completed in 1742, which defended the southern approach to the Spanish military settlement of St. Augustine. It also protect...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 191.3
Built by the Spanish in St. Augustine to defend Florida and the Atlantic trade route, Castillo de San Marcos National Monument preserves the oldest masonry fortification in the continental United Stat...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
$15
near mile 207.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.39 one way
$76.79 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg84 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$41.76
$83.53
premium
$4.72
$44.85
$89.70
diesel
$5.61
$53.25
$106.51
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
72.4
0
$25.33
$11.58
Efficient EV
60.3
0
$21.10
$9.65
EV Truck/SUV
96.5
1
$33.77
$15.44
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% 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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Clearwater, FL
Evening
in Clearwater on Thursday
Local time
6:15 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
Evening
in Ponte Vedra Beach on Thursday
Local time
6:15 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°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
5 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 51m 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 Ponte Vedra Beach, FL covers 241.2 miles and takes about 4h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 4, I 95, Courtney Campbell Causeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 120.6 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 $38.39 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 26 significant decision points across 241.2 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 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.
Between Clearwater, FL and Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, road signs point toward St. Petersburg, Jacksonville, Cr 210: Ponte Vedra Beach, Green Cove Springs and Nocatee Parkway East.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Fort Matanzas National Monument and Castillo de San Marcos National Monument.
