Origin
Clearwater, FL
Evening in Clearwater on Sunday
Local time
5:51 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Clearwater, FL to Tampa, FL
Drive Time
37m
Distance
23.3 mi
37 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 34m
★
6 AM
0h 38m
8 AM
0h 44m
10 AM
0h 40m
12 PM
0h 39m
3 PM
0h 40m
5 PM
0h 44m
8 PM
0h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clearwater, FL
Arian Fernandez
Tampa, FL
Arian Fernandez
Trip Overview
Traveling between Clearwater and Tampa is a straightforward 23.3-mile journey that typically takes about 37 minutes. Because of the short distance, this trip is ideal as a quick day outing rather than an overnight excursion. You will primarily utilize the Courtney Campbell Causeway, Drew Street, and I-275 to navigate between these two Florida hubs. Budgeting around $4 for fuel should comfortably cover your transit costs for this direct route. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a change of scenery, the simplicity of this trip makes it a very manageable drive.
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
11.6 miles from Clearwater, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 19m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that transitions quickly between urban streets and faster highway segments. While only 24% of the trip involves highway travel, you will experience the longest uninterrupted stretch of 8.2 miles while crossing the Courtney Campbell Causeway. The road personality shifts from the localized navigation of Drew Street to the more consistent flow of I-275. Navigating these varied road types keeps the drive engaging despite its short duration. You will find that the mixture of city turns and open causeway segments defines the rhythm of this 37-minute trek.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Courtney Campbell Causeway is the longest continuous segment at about 8.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 15.9 miles in near FL 60.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 23.3 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 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; at 22.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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 none / straight / slight right lanes.
Toward FL 60: Tampa, St. Petersburg
8
22.4 mi into trip
|
~34m in
Take the exit toward Downtown East, Downtown West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 44
Toward Downtown East, Downtown West
9
22.4 mi into trip
|
~35m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Downtown West, Ashley Drive, Tampa Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Downtown West, Ashley Drive, Tampa Stree...
9
22.7 mi into trip
|
~35m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Tampa Street, Seaport Aquarium, Amalie Arena, Harbour Island, Convention Center
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward Tampa Street, Seaport Aquarium, Amalie A...
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Clearwater, FL to Tampa, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Courtney Campbell Causeway | 8.2 mi | 10m |
| Drew Street | 4.2 mi | 8m |
| I 275 | 4.2 mi | 5m |
| Gulf to Bay Boulevard | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| FL 60 | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Memorial Highway | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Southbound Frontage Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| North Tampa Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Courtney Campbell Causeway
— 8.2 mi, about 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clearwater, FL and Tampa, 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
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
Southbound Frontage Road
5
Continue on this road
376 ft
·
7 sec
·
this road
Use the none lane.
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 none 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 none 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 Street
Use 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. Petersburg
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Toward I 275 North: Tampa
Use the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 275
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
I 275
Toward I 275: Tampa
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
386 ft
·
9 sec
Exit 44
Toward Downtown East, Downtown West
Use the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward Downtown West, Ashley Drive, Tampa Street
Use the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Toward Tampa Street, Seaport Aquarium, Amalie Arena, Harbour Island, Convention Center
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
17
Turn slight right onto US 41 Business
0.2 mi
·
54 sec
·
North Tampa Street
18
Turn left onto East Twiggs Street
282 ft
·
12 sec
·
East Twiggs Street
19
Turn right onto North Franklin Street
0.1 mi
·
31 sec
·
North Franklin Street
20
Turn right onto FL 60
174 ft
·
4 sec
·
East Kennedy Boulevard
21
Arrive at destination
FL 60
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 37-minute trip, you have the advantage of total scheduling flexibility. You do not need to plan for any formal stops, allowing you to head directly to your destination without the pressure of a long-haul itinerary. Keep in mind that the route relies heavily on local roads, so be prepared for frequent turns as you navigate off the main highway stretches. To ensure a smooth journey, check local traffic conditions before departing to avoid congestion on the Courtney Campbell Causeway. Staying mindful of these quick transitions will help you maintain a steady pace across the entire 23.3-mile distance.
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 11.6 miles from Clearwater, FL, or about 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 8.2 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 23.3 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 11.6 miles or 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tampa, 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 23.3 miles and 37m.
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 Courtney Campbell Causeway for about 8.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 11.6 mi from Clearwater, FL · 19m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
12 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 23.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 11.6 miles from Clearwater, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Tampa, FL
The final approach into Tampa, 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 Tampa, 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
$3.89 one way
$7.78 round trip
$4.24/gal
25.4 MPG avg
8 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $4.22 | $8.43 |
| premium | $4.90 | $4.49 | $8.98 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $5.18 | $10.35 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 8.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 7 | 0 | $2.45 | $1.12 |
| Efficient EV | 5.8 | 0 | $2.04 | $0.93 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 9.3 | 0 | $3.26 | $1.49 |
Gas CO2
8 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (63% 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
Tampa, FL
Evening in Tampa on Sunday
Local time
5:51 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°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
1 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
37m 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 Tampa, FL covers 23.3 miles and takes about 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Courtney Campbell Causeway, Drew Street, I 275. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 11.6 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 $3.89 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 is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 23.3 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 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; at 22.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Clearwater, FL to Tampa, FL, road signs begin pointing toward St. Petersburg along the way.
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