Origin
Cypress Lake, FL
Evening in Cypress Lake on Thursday
Local time
7:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cypress Lake, FL to Clearwater, FL
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 54m
Distance
143.3 mi
231 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 43m
★
6 AM
2h 54m
8 AM
3h 16m
10 AM
3h 2m
12 PM
3h 0m
3 PM
3h 3m
5 PM
3h 15m
8 PM
2h 47m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cypress Lake, FL
Matt Fitz Gibaud
Clearwater, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning to head from Cypress Lake to Clearwater, expect a straightforward 143.3-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 54 minutes. This drive works perfectly as a single-day trip, allowing you to reach the coast without the need for an overnight stay. You will primarily utilize I-75 and US Highway 19 North, covering a route that is largely highway-focused. Budgeting around $24 for fuel should keep you covered for the duration of the trip. Since you are traveling across Florida, this path offers a practical way to transition from the inland regions toward the Gulf Coast.
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
71.7 miles from Cypress Lake, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 23m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 54m. Total distance: 143.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This route is characterized by a highway-heavy profile, with 74% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You should prepare for a significant interstate experience, including a longest uninterrupted stretch of 91.5 miles on I-75. The nature of the drive shifts as you transition from the initial highway segments to the final approach on US Highway 19 North. Navigating the Sunshine Skyway Bridge adds a distinct element to the transit, breaking up the steady pace of the interstate. Overall, it is a functional, efficient drive that prioritizes speed and directness over winding backroads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 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 91.5 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 9.7 miles in.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 143.3 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 9.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 101.6 miles (I 275): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 127.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
9.7 mi into trip
|
~17m in
Take the exit toward I 75 North: Tampa, I-75 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 75 North: Tampa, I-75 North
7
101.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 55m 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
127.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 26m 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
138 mi into trip
|
~2h 42m 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
6
138.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 44m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Cypress Lake, FL to Clearwater, FL, road signs begin pointing toward 54Th Avenue North Westbound along the way.
54Th Avenue North Westbound
127.1 mi in
|
~2h 26m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 91.5 mi | 1h 38m |
| Sunshine Skyway Bridge | 19.5 mi | 22m |
| US Highway 19 North | 9.1 mi | 12m |
| I 275 | 5.7 mi | 7m |
| Colonial Boulevard | 4.1 mi | 6m |
| Gulf to Bay Boulevard | 2.7 mi | 5m |
| Summerlin Road | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| Court Street | 1.5 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 91.5 mi, about 1h 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cypress Lake, FL and Clearwater, FL.
1
Start on Myerlee Country Club Boulevard
346 ft
·
20 sec
·
Myerlee Country Club Boulevard
2
Turn left onto Winkler Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Winkler Road
3
Turn right onto CR 876
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Cypress Lake Drive
Use the right lane.
4
Turn left onto CR 869
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Summerlin Road
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on Boy Scout Drive
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Boy Scout Drive
6
Continue on Fowler Street
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Fowler Street
Use the straight lane.
7
Turn right onto FL 884
4.1 mi
·
6 min
·
Colonial Boulevard
Use the left lane.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 75 North: Tampa, I-75 North
Use the left lane.
9
Merge onto I 75
91 mi
·
1 hr 38 min
·
I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit onto I 275
5.7 mi
·
7 min
·
I 275
Exit 228
Toward I 275 North: Saint Petersburg
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
12
Merge onto I 275; US 19
19 mi
·
22 min
·
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 26B
Toward 54th Avenue North Westbound
Use the slight right lane.
14
Turn straight onto 54th Avenue North
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
54th Avenue North
Use the straight lane.
15
Turn right onto US 19
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
34th Street North
16
Continue on US 19
9.1 mi
·
12 min
·
US Highway 19 North
Use the left lane.
17
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
Toward FL 60: Seville Boulevard, Gulf To Bay
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on US 19 Northbound Frontage Road
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
US 19 Northbound Frontage Road
19
Continue on Northbound Frontage Road
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Northbound Frontage Road
20
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Use the left lane.
21
Continue on FL 60
2.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Gulf to Bay Boulevard
22
Continue on FL 60
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Court Street
Use the straight lane.
23
Turn right onto South Ft Harrison Avenue
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
South Ft Harrison Avenue
Use the right lane.
24
Arrive at destination
North Fort Harrison Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 143.3-mile trek, plan for at least one well-timed stop to break up the drive. Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to leave whenever suits your schedule, though monitoring traffic patterns on major arteries like I-75 is always a smart move. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before starting that long 91.5-mile stretch, as your $24 budget assumes steady highway driving conditions. Use your single allotted stop to stretch your legs before you hit the final leg on US Highway 19 North. Prioritize a steady pace to ensure you reach Clearwater feeling refreshed rather than fatigued.
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 71.7 miles from Cypress Lake, FL, or about 1h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91.5 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 32 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71.7 miles or 1h 23m 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 15m
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 Cypress Lake, 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 Cypress Lake, FL
This is one driving day of about 143.3 miles and 2h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Cypress Lake, 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 91.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 71.7 mi from Cypress Lake, FL · 1h 23m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
72 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 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 71.7 miles from Cypress Lake, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 91.5 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.81 one way
$45.62 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
50 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $24.81 | $49.62 |
| premium | $4.72 | $26.65 | $53.29 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $31.64 | $63.28 |
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
$23
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 43 | 0 | $15.05 | $6.88 |
| Efficient EV | 35.8 | 0 | $12.54 | $5.73 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 57.3 | 0 | $20.06 | $9.17 |
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (66% 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
Clearwater, FL
Evening in Clearwater on Thursday
Local time
7:36 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 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 54m 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 Cypress Lake, FL to Clearwater, FL covers 143.3 miles and takes about 2h 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, Sunshine Skyway Bridge, US Highway 19 North. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 71.7 miles from Cypress Lake, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.81 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 143.3 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 9.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 101.6 miles (I 275): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 127.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Cypress Lake, FL to Clearwater, FL, road signs begin pointing toward 54Th Avenue North Westbound along the way.
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