This 173.1-mile drive from Clewiston, FL to Tampa, FL is a straightforward, single-day adventure, taking about 2 hours and 57 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $29, it's an economical option for a quick trip within Florida. The route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' suggesting you'll be navigating through towns and making frequent turns rather than cruising on major highways. You'll likely encounter a mix of local roads and potentially some state highways as you make your way across the state. This trip is perfectly suited for a day excursion, allowing you ample time to reach your destination without feeling rushed.
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
86.6 miles from Clewiston, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 28m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 57m. Total distance: 173.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Expect a driving experience that leans heavily on local roads, with a 0% highway share. This means you'll be navigating through various communities, encountering traffic lights, and making numerous turns throughout the 173.1-mile journey. The 'turn-heavy local drive' profile indicates a more engaged driving style is required, as opposed to a monotonous interstate cruise. While there's no longest uninterrupted stretch specified, the nature of this route suggests you'll be stopping and starting more frequently as you pass through populated areas. This drive offers a more intimate feel of the Florida landscape as you traverse it.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Flamingo Drive is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Driving Effort1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Clewiston, FL to Tampa, FL is easy. At 2h 57m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Clewiston, FL to Tampa, FL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Flamingo Drive
—
—
Main Street
—
—
Adamo Drive
—
—
East Adamo Drive
—
—
FL 618
—
—
Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
—
—
FL 60
—
—
East Kennedy Boulevard
—
—
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Flamingo Drive
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clewiston, FL and Tampa, FL.
1
Start on Sugarland Highway
6.7 mi·9 min·Sugarland Highway
2
Continue straight
51 mi·1 hr 2 min
3
Continue straight
0.2 mi·20 sec
4
Continue straight
10 mi·12 min
5
Continue straight
37 mi·49 min
6
Take the exit left
0.2 mi·31 sec
7
Merge slight left
14 mi·17 min
8
Take the exit left toward Flamingo Drive
0.5 mi·54 sec·Flamingo Drive
9
Continue on Main Street
1.7 mi·3 min·Main Street
10
Turn left
26 mi·34 min
11
Continue straight
4.5 mi·7 min
12
Turn straight onto Adamo Drive
0.4 mi·36 sec·Adamo Drive
13
Continue on East Adamo Drive
2.1 mi·3 min·East Adamo Drive
14
Take the ramp left toward FL 618 Toll West
0.3 mi·41 sec·FL 618 Toll West
15
Merge slight left onto Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
5.2 mi·6 min·Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
16
Take the exit slight right toward FL 60: Kennedy Boulevard, Downtown - East
0.2 mi·31 sec·FL 60: Kennedy Boulevard, Downtown - East
17
Turn straight onto East Kennedy Boulevard
0.4 mi·1 min·East Kennedy Boulevard
18
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour and 57-minute drive covering 173.1 miles, flexibility is key. Since it's a manageable day trip with a modest $29 fuel cost, you can leave whenever it suits you best. Consider an early departure to avoid any potential local traffic as you enter Tampa. With one main stop suggested, plan for a brief break midway to stretch your legs or grab a quick refreshment. Given the 'turn-heavy local drive' nature, pay close attention to navigation and speed limits, especially as you pass through towns. A good tip would be to ensure your GPS is fully charged or you have a reliable map, as frequent turns can be disorienting.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 86.6 miles from Clewiston, FL, or about 1h 28m into the drive.
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 38 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.6 miles or 1h 28m 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 25m
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 Clewiston, 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 Clewiston, FL
This is one driving day of about 173.1 miles and 2h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Clewiston, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 86.6 mi from Clewiston, FL
· 1h 28m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.55 one way
$55.11 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg61 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$29.97
$59.94
premium
$4.72
$32.19
$64.37
diesel
$5.61
$38.22
$76.44
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
51.9
0
$18.18
$8.31
Efficient EV
43.3
0
$15.15
$6.92
EV Truck/SUV
69.2
0
$24.23
$11.08
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Clewiston, FL
Afternoon
in Clewiston on Friday
Local time
2:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tampa, FL
Afternoon
in Tampa on Friday
Local time
2:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Mostly Clear
NE 2 to 8 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 16 at 7:03PM EDT until April 17 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 16 at 3:00AM EDT until April 17 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
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
2 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 57m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Clewiston, FL to Tampa, FL covers 173.1 miles and takes about 2h 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Flamingo Drive, Main Street, Adamo Drive. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 86.6 miles from Clewiston, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.55 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Clewiston, FL to Tampa, FL is easy. At 2h 57m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Clewiston, FL to Tampa, FL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Clewiston, FL to Tampa, FL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
