Origin
Clearwater, FL
Evening in Clearwater on Sunday
Local time
5:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Clearwater, FL to St. Petersburg, FL
Drive Time
32m
Distance
18.9 mi
30 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 30m
★
6 AM
0h 32m
8 AM
0h 38m
10 AM
0h 34m
12 PM
0h 34m
3 PM
0h 35m
5 PM
0h 38m
8 PM
0h 31m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clearwater, FL
Arian Fernandez
St. Petersburg, FL
Arian Fernandez
Trip Overview
Traveling between Clearwater and St. Petersburg is a straightforward 18.9-mile journey that typically takes about 32 minutes. Because of the short distance, this trip is perfectly suited as a quick day outing rather than an overnight excursion. You will primarily navigate via US Highway 19 North, Drew Street, and 34th Street North to reach your destination. With a modest estimated fuel cost of $3, this drive is an affordable way to transit between these two Florida cities. Whether you are heading south for business or leisure, the route remains simple enough to fit easily into a single afternoon.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
9.5 miles from Clearwater, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 15m into the drive .
Drive Character
This 18.9-mile jaunt offers a mixed driving experience, balancing major arterial roads with local street navigation. Approximately 53% of your time will be spent on highways, providing a blend of speed and urban transit. You can expect your longest uninterrupted stretch to span 10.1 miles while on US Highway 19 North. As you transition from the highway segments onto Drew Street and 34th Street North, the pace shifts, requiring you to adjust to local traffic patterns. It is a functional drive that moves you efficiently through the Florida landscape without demanding long hours behind the wheel.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 10 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US Highway 19 North is the longest continuous segment at about 10.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 6 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Drew Street.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 18.9 miles you will encounter 6 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (Drew Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 6 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.
4
4.4 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
4.5 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Take the exit toward US 19 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward US 19 South
5
4.7 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
US 19 / US Highway 19 North
Merge onto US 19 / US Highway 19 North
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
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.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US Highway 19 North | 10.1 mi | 14m |
| Drew Street | 4.2 mi | 8m |
| 34th Street North | 4.1 mi | 8m |
| North Fort Harrison Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Southbound Frontage Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| 34th Street South | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US Highway 19 North
— 10.1 mi, about 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clearwater, FL and St. Petersburg, 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
4.1 mi
·
8 min
·
34th Street North
Use the none lane.
9
Continue on US 19
323 ft
·
14 sec
·
34th Street South
10
Arrive at destination
US 19
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 32-minute trip with zero mandatory stops, you have the flexibility to depart whenever your schedule allows. Keep in mind that US Highway 19 North serves as the backbone of your journey, so check traffic conditions on that specific stretch before you head out. Because the fuel cost is only $3, you won't need to worry about complex gas planning or fuel budgeting for this short distance. Use the ease of this route to your advantage by planning your arrival time around local traffic flows to ensure a smooth transition between cities. Focus on navigating the transition from the 10.1-mile highway stretch onto the local city streets to keep your arrival stress-free.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 9.5 miles from Clearwater, FL, or about 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 10.1 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 18.9 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 9.5 miles or 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near St. Petersburg, 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 18.9 miles and 32m.
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.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on US Highway 19 North for about 10.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 9.5 mi from Clearwater, FL · 15m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
9 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 18.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 9.5 miles from Clearwater, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in St. Petersburg, FL
The final approach into St. Petersburg, 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 St. Petersburg, 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
$3.16 one way
$6.31 round trip
$4.24/gal
25.4 MPG avg
7 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $3.42 | $6.84 |
| premium | $4.90 | $3.64 | $7.29 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $4.20 | $8.40 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 6.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 71% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 5.7 | 0 | $1.98 | $0.91 |
| Efficient EV | 4.7 | 0 | $1.65 | $0.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 7.6 | 0 | $2.65 | $1.21 |
Gas CO2
7 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (71% 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.
Destination
St. Petersburg, FL
Evening in St. Petersburg on Sunday
Local time
5:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°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
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
32m 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 St. Petersburg, FL covers 18.9 miles and takes about 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US Highway 19 North, Drew Street, 34th Street North. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 9.5 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 $3.16 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 18.9 miles you will encounter 6 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (Drew Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from Clearwater, FL to St. Petersburg, FL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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