Drive Time
7h 24m
Distance
427.6 mi
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$70
one way
The drive from Key West, FL to Clearwater, FL covers 427.6 miles and takes about 7h 24m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Flagler Avenue, South Roosevelt Boulevard, Overseas Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $69.83 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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
213.8 miles from Key West, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 42m into the drive .
Expect a 7h 24m drive with frequent turns across 427.6 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Flagler Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Roosevelt Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Overseas Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| New Seven Mile Bridge | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Dixie Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Miami | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 27 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Key West, FL and Clearwater, FL.
Start on George Street
At the end of the road, turn left onto Flagler Avenue
At the end of the road, turn left onto South Roosevelt Boulevard
Turn right onto Overseas Highway
Continue on New Seven Mile Bridge
Continue on Dixie Highway
Take the exit slight right toward Miami, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North
Continue on Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Keep slight right to continue on Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Keep slight left to continue on Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Keep slight right to continue on Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Take the exit slight right toward US 27: Okeechobee Road
Keep slight right to continue on US 27: Okeechobee Road
Merge slight left onto Okeechobee Road
Take the exit slight right toward I 75: Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Naples
Keep slight left to continue on I 75 North: Naples
Merge slight left onto Alligator Alley
Take the exit slight right toward I 275 North: Saint Petersburg
Keep slight left
Merge slight right onto Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Take the exit slight right toward 54th Avenue North Westbound
Turn straight onto 54th Avenue North
Turn right onto 34th Street North
Continue on US Highway 19 North
Take the exit slight right toward FL 60: Seville Boulevard, Gulf To Bay
Continue on US 19 Northbound Frontage Road
Continue on Northbound Frontage Road
Take the exit slight left
Continue on Gulf to Bay Boulevard
Continue on Court Street
Turn right onto South Ft Harrison Avenue
Arrive at your destination
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 94 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 213.8 miles or 3h 42m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clearwater, FL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Key West, 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.
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Key West, FL
This is one driving day of about 427.6 miles and 7h 24m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 213.8 mi from Key West, FL · 3h 42m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
214 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 94 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 213.8 miles from Key West, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$69.83 one way
$139.66 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $77.37 | $154.74 |
| premium | $4.90 | $82.42 | $164.84 |
| diesel | $4.35 | $73.23 | $146.46 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$70
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$95–$120
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 149.6 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $45 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 128.3 | 1 | $44.90 | $20.52 |
| Efficient EV | 106.9 | 1 | $37.42 | $17.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 171 | 2 | $59.86 | $27.37 |
Gas CO2
150 kg
EV CO2
50 kg (67% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Key West on Saturday
Local time
7:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Clearwater on Saturday
Local time
7:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
69°F
Country Club, FL
214 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
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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