Drive Time
2h 32m
Distance
114.7 mi
185 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
Photo: DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ
The drive from Clearwater, FL to Tavares, FL covers 114.7 miles and takes about 2h 32m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 4, Commonwealth Avenue North, Howey Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 37.1 miles on I 4. At current regular gas prices, budget about $19.16 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
57.3 miles from Clearwater, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 13m into the drive .
The drive from Clearwater, FL to Tavares, FL covers 114.7 miles and takes about 2h 32m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.9 miles in.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 114.7 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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
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
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
Take the exit toward I 4 East: Orlando
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward FL 33: Polk City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
On the drive from Clearwater, FL to Tavares, FL, road signs begin pointing toward St. Petersburg along the way.
St. Petersburg
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 4 | 37.1 mi | 40m |
| Commonwealth Avenue North | 21.3 mi | 27m |
| Howey Road | 13.3 mi | 19m |
| Commonwealth Avenue | 11.3 mi | 15m |
| Courtney Campbell Causeway | 8.2 mi | 10m |
| FL 19 | 6.5 mi | 9m |
| I 275 | 5.2 mi | 7m |
| Drew Street | 4.2 mi | 8m |
Step-by-step road directions between Clearwater, FL and Tavares, FL.
Start on North Fort Harrison Avenue
Turn right onto Drew Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto Southbound Frontage Road
Continue on this road
Take the exit
Merge onto FL 60
Continue on FL 60
Continue on FL 60
Keep slight right at fork onto FL 60
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 60
Take the exit
Merge onto I 275
Take the exit
Continue on I 4
Take the exit
Turn left onto FL 33
Continue on FL 33
Enter roundabout onto FL 33
Continue on FL 33
Turn left onto FL 50; FL 33
Turn right onto FL 19
Turn right onto FL 19
Turn right onto CR Old 441
Arrive at destination
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.
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 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.3 miles or 1h 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tavares, 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 114.7 miles and 2h 32m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 57.3 mi from Clearwater, FL · 1h 13m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
57 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 57.3 miles from Clearwater, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Tavares, 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 Tavares, FL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$19.16 one way
$38.32 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $20.75 | $41.51 |
| premium | $4.90 | $22.11 | $44.22 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $25.48 | $50.96 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 34.4 | 0 | $12.04 | $5.51 |
| Efficient EV | 28.7 | 0 | $10.04 | $4.59 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 45.9 | 0 | $16.06 | $7.34 |
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (68% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Evening in Clearwater on Saturday
Local time
6:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Evening in Tavares on Saturday
Local time
6:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
62°F
Lakeland, FL
57 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
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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