The drive from Coconut Grove, FL to Clearwater, FL covers 286.5 miles and takes about 5h 27m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 75, Sunshine Skyway Bridge, Express Lanes for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 224.5 miles on I 75.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $45.60 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
143.3 miles from Coconut Grove, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 40m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 27m. Total distance: 286.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 27m highway drive covering 286.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 75 and Sunshine Skyway Bridge. The longest continuous stretch is about 224.5 miles on I 75.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 35 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 75 is the longest continuous segment at about 224.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Sunshine Skyway Bridge. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 20.1 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 286.5 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 20.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 244.8 miles (I 275): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
20.1 mi into trip|~28m in
Take the exit toward SR 860: Northwest 186th Street, Miami Gardens Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward SR 860: Northwest 186th Street, Miami Ga...
8
34 mi into trip|~43m in|I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward Alligator Alley, Naples
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward Alligator Alley, Naples
7
244.8 mi into trip|~4h 29m in|I 275
Take the exit onto I 275 toward I 275 North: Saint Petersburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 228
Toward I 275 North: Saint Petersburg
7
270.3 mi into trip|~4h 59m in
Take the exit toward 54th Avenue North Westbound
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 26B
Toward 54th Avenue North Westbound
7
281.2 mi into trip|~5h 15m in
Take the exit toward FL 60: Seville Boulevard, Gulf To Bay
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward FL 60: Seville Boulevard, Gulf To Bay
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Coconut Grove, FL and Clearwater, FL, road signs point toward Alligator Alley, Naples and 54Th Avenue North Westbound.
Alligator Alley
34 mi in|~43m|via I 75
Naples
34 mi in|~43m|via I 75
54Th Avenue North Westbound
270.3 mi in|~4h 59m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
224.5 mi
4h
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
19.5 mi
22m
Express Lanes
10.9 mi
12m
US Highway 19 North
9.1 mi
12m
I 275
5.7 mi
7m
Palmetto Expressway
5 mi
6m
Gulf to Bay Boulevard
2.7 mi
5m
Southwest 72nd Street
1.7 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 224.5 mi, about 4h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Coconut Grove, FL and Clearwater, FL.
1
Start on Hardie Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·Hardie Avenue
2
Continue on Hardee Road
0.1 mi·22 sec·Hardee Road
3
Enter roundabout onto Hardee Road
40 ft·1 sec·Hardee Road
4
Continue on Hardee Road
0.2 mi·27 sec·Hardee Road
5
Enter roundabout onto Hardee Road
52 ft·1 sec·Hardee Road
6
Continue on Hardee Road
503 ft·15 sec·Hardee Road
7
Enter roundabout onto Hardee Road
66 ft·2 sec·Hardee Road
8
Continue on Hardee Road
0.3 mi·49 sec·Hardee Road
9
Enter roundabout onto Hardee Road
52 ft·1 sec·Hardee Road
10
Continue on Hardee Road
0.3 mi·47 sec·Hardee Road
11
Enter roundabout onto Caballero Boulevard
19 ft·0 sec·Caballero Boulevard
12
Continue on Caballero Boulevard
302 ft·10 sec·Caballero Boulevard
13
At end of road, turn left onto US 1
0.9 mi·1 min·South Dixie Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Turn right onto SR 986
1.7 mi·3 min·Southwest 72nd Street
15
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward SR 826 North
16
Merge onto SR 826
5.0 mi·6 min·Palmetto Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto Express Lanes
11 mi·12 min·Express Lanes
Use the slight left lane.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·13 sec
Toward SR 860: Northwest 186th Street, Miami Gardens DriveUse the slight right lane.
19
Merge onto I 75
14 mi·14 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
211 mi·3 hr 45 min·I 75
Toward Alligator Alley, NaplesUse the slight left / straight lanes.
21
Take the exit onto I 275
5.7 mi·7 min·I 275
Exit 228Toward I 275 North: Saint PetersburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·19 sec
23
Merge onto I 275; US 19
19 mi·22 min·Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 26BToward 54th Avenue North WestboundUse the slight right lane.
25
Turn straight onto 54th Avenue North
0.9 mi·1 min·54th Avenue North
Use the straight lane.
26
Turn right onto US 19
0.6 mi·1 min·34th Street North
27
Continue on US 19
9.1 mi·12 min·US Highway 19 North
Use the left lane.
28
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward FL 60: Seville Boulevard, Gulf To BayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on US 19 Northbound Frontage Road
0.4 mi·53 sec·US 19 Northbound Frontage Road
30
Continue on Northbound Frontage Road
0.2 mi·25 sec·Northbound Frontage Road
31
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Use the left lane.
32
Continue on FL 60
2.7 mi·5 min·Gulf to Bay Boulevard
33
Continue on FL 60
1.5 mi·3 min·Court Street
Use the straight lane.
34
Turn right onto South Ft Harrison Avenue
0.2 mi·39 sec·South Ft Harrison Avenue
Use the right lane.
35
Arrive at destination
North Fort Harrison Avenue
Trip Plan
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 143.3 miles from Coconut Grove, FL, or about 2h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 224.5 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 63 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 143.3 miles or 2h 40m 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 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clearwater, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Coconut Grove, 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 Coconut Grove, FL
This is one driving day of about 286.5 miles and 5h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Coconut Grove, 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.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 224.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 143.3 mi from Coconut Grove, FL
· 2h 40m into the drive
The midpoint is around 143.3 miles from Coconut Grove, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 224.5 miles.
Arriving in Clearwater, FL
The final approach into Clearwater, 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 Clearwater, FL.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
De Soto National Memorial
National Memorial
In May 1539, Conquistador Hernando de Soto’s army of soldiers, hired mercenaries, craftsmen, and clergy made landfall in Tampa Bay. They were met with fierce resistance of indigenous people protecting...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 248.7
Within sight of Miami, yet worlds away, Biscayne protects a rare combination of aquamarine waters, emerald islands, and fish-bejeweled coral reefs. Evidence of 10,000 years of human history is here to...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.60 one way
$91.21 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg100 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$49.61
$99.21
premium
$4.72
$53.27
$106.55
diesel
$5.61
$63.26
$126.51
Estimated Tolls: $1.36
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
(19.5 mi)$1.36
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
86
1
$30.08
$13.75
Efficient EV
71.6
0
$25.07
$11.46
EV Truck/SUV
114.6
1
$40.11
$18.34
Gas CO2
100 kg
EV CO2
34 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Coconut Grove, FL
Evening
in Coconut Grove on Thursday
Local time
7:16 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Clearwater, FL
Evening
in Clearwater on Thursday
Local time
7:16 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°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
2 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
5h 27m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Coconut Grove, FL to Clearwater, FL covers 286.5 miles and takes about 5h 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, Sunshine Skyway Bridge, Express Lanes. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 143.3 miles from Coconut Grove, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $45.60 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 286.5 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 20.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 244.8 miles (I 275): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Coconut Grove, FL and Clearwater, FL, road signs point toward Alligator Alley, Naples and 54Th Avenue North Westbound.
Yes. Nearby national parks include De Soto National Memorial and Biscayne National Park.
