Trip from Jacksonville, FL to Clearwater, FL

Drive Time

4h 33m

Distance

220 mi

354 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$37

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

4h 20m ★

6 AM

4h 33m

8 AM

5h 0m

10 AM

4h 43m

12 PM

4h 40m

3 PM

4h 44m

5 PM

4h 59m

8 PM

4h 25m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Jacksonville, FL

Mike Jones

Clearwater, FL

Arian Fernandez

Trip Overview

Traveling from Jacksonville to Clearwater covers 222.1 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 43 minutes. Because this route avoids major highways in favor of local roads like Ocean Street, State Street, and Kings Road, it functions best as a focused day trip. You should budget approximately $36 for fuel to complete the journey. While you could technically complete this in one go, the turn-heavy nature of the drive makes it feel longer than a standard interstate trek. It is a straightforward trip across Florida that keeps you off the busy highway system, allowing for a more deliberate pace. Plan for a full day of driving to ensure you arrive in Clearwater with plenty of time to settle in.

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

110 miles from Jacksonville, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 19m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a unique experience behind the wheel, as this route features a 0% highway share. Instead of a monotonous interstate grind, you will navigate a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention. The road stays off the main thoroughfares, relying on local streets to connect you between regions. Because the path is composed of smaller roads rather than long, open stretches, you will find yourself navigating constant changes in direction. This is a hands-on driving experience that prioritizes local navigation over speed, so prepare for a more involved time behind the wheel than you might find on typical state highways.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 29 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 82.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Sid Martin Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.1 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 220 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 2.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 58.2 miles (US 301 / Sid Martin Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 183.1 miles (I 275): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 21 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

2.1 mi into trip | ~4m in

Take the exit toward I 10 West: Lake City

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 351A Toward I 10 West: Lake City

58.2 mi into trip | ~1h 15m in | US 301 / Sid Martin Highway

Keep slight left at fork onto US 301 / Sid Martin Highway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

183.1 mi into trip | ~3h 37m in | I 275

Keep slight right at fork onto I 275 toward I 275 South: Tampa, Saint Petersburg

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 274 Toward I 275 South: Tampa, Saint Petersburg

194 mi into trip | ~3h 50m in

Take the exit toward FL 580: Busch Boulevard

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 50 Toward FL 580: Busch Boulevard

204 mi into trip | ~4h 7m in

Take the exit toward FL 60 West: Clearwater

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 2A Toward FL 60 West: Clearwater

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Jacksonville, FL to Clearwater, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Petersburg along the way.

Saint Petersburg

183.1 mi in | ~3h 37m | via I 275

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 75	82.7 mi	1h 28m
Sid Martin Highway	39 mi	48m
US 301	37.5 mi	47m
I 10	17.1 mi	20m
I 275	11 mi	12m
FL 60	9.1 mi	12m
West Waters Avenue	5.1 mi	9m
Gulf to Bay Boulevard	4.7 mi	9m

Longest stretch: I 75 — 82.7 mi, about 1h 28m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Jacksonville, FL and Clearwater, FL.

Start on US 17

210 ft · 12 sec · Union Street

Turn left onto US 1; US 17; FL 228

281 ft · 15 sec · Ocean Street

Turn left onto US 1; US 17; FL 228

0.7 mi · 1 min · State Street

Use the straight / left lanes.

Continue on US 17; US 23; FL 228

0.3 mi · 36 sec · Kings Road

Take the ramp onto US 17; FL 228

1.1 mi · 1 min · US 17; FL 228

Toward I 95 South: Jacksonville Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min

Exit 351A Toward I 10 West: Lake City Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 10; US 17; FL 228

17 mi · 20 min · I 10; US 17; FL 228

Use the straight / slight left / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 58 sec

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 37 sec

Merge onto US 301

0.1 mi · 11 sec · US 301

Continue on US 301

37 mi · 47 min · US 301

Use the none lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 301

39 mi · 48 min · Sid Martin Highway

Use the none lane.

Turn right onto FL 326

1.5 mi · 2 min · Northwest 70th Street

Use the right lane.

Continue on FL 326

1.2 mi · 2 min · Northwest 77th Street

Use the none lane.

Take the ramp

0.6 mi · 1 min

Toward I 75 South: Tampa

Merge onto I 75

83 mi · 1 hr 28 min · I 75

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 275

11 mi · 12 min · I 275

Exit 274 Toward I 275 South: Tampa, Saint Petersburg Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 39 sec

Exit 50 Toward FL 580: Busch Boulevard Use the slight right lane.

Turn right onto FL 580

0.2 mi · 23 sec · East Busch Boulevard

Turn left onto US 41 Business

0.5 mi · 1 min · North Florida Avenue

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto West Waters Avenue

5.1 mi · 9 min · West Waters Avenue

Use the right lane.

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min

Merge onto FL 589 Toll

3.3 mi · 4 min · Veterans Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 52 sec

Exit 2A Toward FL 60 West: Clearwater Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on FL 60

9.1 mi · 12 min · FL 60

Toward Clearwater Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on FL 60

4.7 mi · 9 min · Gulf to Bay Boulevard

Use the straight lane.

Continue on FL 60

1.5 mi · 3 min · Court Street

Use the straight / none lanes.

Turn right onto South Ft Harrison Avenue

0.2 mi · 39 sec · South Ft Harrison Avenue

Use the right lane.

Arrive at destination

North Fort Harrison Avenue

Trip Plan

To keep your drive manageable, plan for at least one stop during the 222.1-mile journey. Since you are navigating local turns rather than highway miles, leave early in the day to avoid getting stuck in mid-afternoon traffic on local roads. Keep your $36 fuel budget handy and top off before you depart Jacksonville, as finding consistent service stations can vary when you avoid the main highways. The greatest advantage of this route is its flexibility; if the driving becomes tiring, you can easily find a spot to pull over and rest. My best tip is to keep a reliable navigation app running at all times, as the frequent turns on city-style streets make it easy to miss a junction.

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 110 miles from Jacksonville, FL, or about 2h 19m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.7 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 80 miles or 1h 42m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 110 miles or 2h 19m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 34m

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 Jacksonville, 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 Jacksonville, FL

This is one driving day of about 220 miles and 4h 33m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Jacksonville, 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 82.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 110 mi from Jacksonville, FL · 2h 19m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Gainesville, FL

110 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

Citra, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bushnell, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 110 miles from Jacksonville, 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 82.7 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

$36.75 one way

$73.50 round trip

$4.24/gal 25.4 MPG avg 77 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.60	$39.81	$79.62
premium	$4.90	$42.41	$84.81
diesel	$5.64	$48.88	$97.75

Estimated Tolls: $0.26

Veterans Expressway (3.3 mi) $0.26

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

$37

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$62–$87

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 77 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	66	0	$23.10	$10.56
Efficient EV	55	0	$19.25	$8.80
EV Truck/SUV	88	1	$30.80	$14.08

Gas CO2

77 kg

EV CO2

26 kg (66% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 data refreshed 21 hours ago

Origin

Jacksonville, FL

Afternoon in Jacksonville on Sunday

Local time

4:34 PM

EDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Clearwater, FL

Afternoon in Clearwater on Sunday

Local time

4:34 PM

EDT

Current temp

69°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

3 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

4h 33m 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 Jacksonville, FL to Clearwater, FL covers 220 miles and takes about 4h 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 75, Sid Martin Highway, US 301. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 110 miles from Jacksonville, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $36.75 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.

On the drive from Jacksonville, FL to Clearwater, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Petersburg along the way.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

Clearwater, FL to Jacksonville, FL

Plan the drive back the other way.

221.1 mi 4h 30m

Explore more options from Jacksonville, FL or browse trips ending in Clearwater, FL.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse FL road trips.

Explore maps for Jacksonville, FL or Clearwater, FL on MapSof.net.

Trip from Jacksonville, FL to Clearwater, FL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Clearwater, FL

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Jacksonville, FL

Clearwater, FL

Same local time

3 degrees warmer at arrival

4h 33m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Was this route helpful?

Explore More

Continue From Clearwater, FL

More from Jacksonville, FL

More trips to Clearwater, FL