Drive Time
5h 8m
Distance
272.2 mi
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$44
one way
The drive from Clearwater, FL to Palm Springs, FL covers 272.2 miles and takes about 5h 8m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Drew Street, Southbound Frontage Road, US 19 South for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $44.45 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
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 34m into the drive .
Expect a 5h 8m drive with frequent turns across 272.2 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Drew Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Southbound Frontage Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 19 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 19 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 34th Street North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 54th Avenue North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 275 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Sunshine Skyway Bridge | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Clearwater, FL and Palm Springs, FL.
Start on North Fort Harrison Avenue
Turn right onto Drew Street
Take the ramp slight right
Merge slight left onto Southbound Frontage Road
Take the exit straight toward US 19 South
Merge slight left onto US Highway 19 North
Keep slight left to continue on US Highway 19 North
Continue on 34th Street North
Turn left onto 54th Avenue North
Take the ramp slight right toward I 275 South
Merge slight left
Keep slight left
Merge slight right onto Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Keep slight left to continue on I 75 South: Naples
Merge slight left
Keep slight left
Keep slight left to continue on Miami
Keep slight right
Take the exit slight left toward Express Lanes
Merge slight left onto Express Lanes
Take the exit slight right toward Northwest 138th Street
Merge slight right
Take the exit slight right toward SR 826 South
Merge slight left onto Palmetto Expressway
Take the exit slight right toward Northwest 122nd Street
Turn left onto West 68th Street
Turn right onto West 12th Avenue
Turn left onto West 56th Place
Turn right onto West 8th Avenue
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 136.1 miles or 2h 34m 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 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Palm Springs, FL than in the middle of the route.
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.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 136.1 mi from Clearwater, FL · 2h 34m 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 136.1 miles from Clearwater, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$44.45 one way
$88.90 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $49.25 | $98.51 |
| premium | $4.90 | $52.47 | $104.94 |
| diesel | $4.35 | $46.62 | $93.23 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.2 kg one way.
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Clearwater on Saturday
Local time
6:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Palm Springs on Saturday
Local time
6:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
67°F
Punta Gorda, FL
136 mi in
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Explore more options from Clearwater, FL or browse trips ending in Palm Springs, FL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse FL road trips.
Explore maps for Clearwater, FL or Palm Springs, FL on MapSof.net.