Traveling from Leesburg to Clearwater covers 101.9 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 17 minutes. Because this is a relatively short trip, you can easily complete it in a single day, making it an ideal choice for a weekend getaway. You should budget approximately $17 for fuel to cover the distance. The route relies heavily on major thoroughfares, including I-75, I-275, and FL-60, ensuring a direct path between these two Florida locations. Since the entire drive stays within the state, you won't need to worry about regional transitions or crossing state lines. It is a straightforward, practical commute that gets you from the central part of the state to the coast efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
50.9 miles from Leesburg, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 6m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 17m. Total distance: 101.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive, as 75% of this route consists of high-speed interstate travel. You will spend a significant portion of your time on I-75, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch of the journey at 45.1 miles. As you transition from the inland roads of Leesburg toward the coastal environment of Clearwater, the personality of the drive shifts from open highway to the busier, more urbanized segments of I-275 and FL-60. While it is not a technical or winding route, the heavy reliance on interstates means you should prepare for steady, high-speed driving. The consistency of the road surface makes for a predictable experience behind the wheel.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 27 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 45.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and I 275. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 11.6 miles in near US 301.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 101.9 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 11.6 miles (US 301): Lane positioning matters here; at 13.1 miles (US 301 / South Commercial Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 64.9 miles (I 275): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
11.6 mi into trip|~19m in|US 301
At end of road, turn left onto US 301
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
13.1 mi into trip|~22m in|US 301 / South Commercial Street
Turn left onto US 301 / South Commercial Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
9
64.9 mi into trip|~1h 21m 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
7
75.9 mi into trip|~1h 33m 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
7
85.8 mi into trip|~1h 50m 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 Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Leesburg, FL to Clearwater, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Petersburg along the way.
Saint Petersburg
64.9 mi in|~1h 21m|via I 275
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
45.1 mi
48m
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
Warm Springs Avenue
4.1 mi
6m
FL 44
3.6 mi
5m
South Commercial Street
3.6 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 45.1 mi, about 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Leesburg, FL and Clearwater, FL.
1
Start on South 6th Street
170 ft·9 sec·South 6th Street
2
Turn right onto West Magnolia Street
411 ft·20 sec·West Magnolia Street
3
Turn right onto South 9th Street
281 ft·19 sec·South 9th Street
4
Turn left onto West Main Street
2.3 mi·4 min·West Main Street
5
Continue on FL 44
3.6 mi·5 min·FL 44
6
Turn left onto CR 468
1.4 mi·2 min·Morse Boulevard
7
Turn straight onto CR 468
1.9 mi·3 min·Warm Springs Avenue
8
Enter roundabout onto CR 468
164 ft·3 sec·Warm Springs Avenue
9
Continue on CR 468
2.2 mi·3 min·Warm Springs Avenue
10
At end of road, turn left onto US 301
1.5 mi·2 min·US 301
Use the left lane.
11
Turn left onto US 301
3.6 mi·5 min·South Commercial Street
Use the straight lane.
12
Turn right onto CR 470
2.6 mi·4 min·CR 470
Use the left / straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 75 South: TampaUse the left lane.
14
Merge onto I 75
45 mi·48 min·I 75
Use the straight lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 275
11 mi·12 min·I 275
Exit 274Toward I 275 South: Tampa, Saint PetersburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Exit 50Toward FL 580: Busch BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
17
Turn right onto FL 580
0.2 mi·23 sec·East Busch Boulevard
18
Turn left onto US 41 Business
0.5 mi·1 min·North Florida Avenue
Use the left lane.
19
Turn right onto West Waters Avenue
5.1 mi·9 min·West Waters Avenue
Use the right lane.
20
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
21
Merge onto FL 589 Toll
3.3 mi·4 min·Veterans Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Exit 2AToward FL 60 West: ClearwaterUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on FL 60
9.1 mi·12 min·FL 60
Toward ClearwaterUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on FL 60
4.7 mi·9 min·Gulf to Bay Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
25
Continue on FL 60
1.5 mi·3 min·Court Street
Use the straight lane.
26
Turn right onto South Ft Harrison Avenue
0.2 mi·39 sec·South Ft Harrison Avenue
Use the right lane.
27
Arrive at destination
North Fort Harrison Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable 2-hour and 17-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. However, because you are heading toward the Clearwater area, try to avoid peak rush hours to ensure a smoother flow on the interstate segments. There are no mandatory stops scheduled for this 101.9-mile route, allowing you to drive straight through if you prefer. Keep in mind that since the majority of your time is spent on I-75 and I-275, you should keep an eye on traffic patterns as you approach the coastal region. Planning your fuel stop before hitting the busier metropolitan sections will help you maintain your pace and arrive at your destination without unnecessary delays.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 50.9 miles from Leesburg, FL, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 45.1 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 22 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 50.9 miles or 1h 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 47m
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 Leesburg, 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 Leesburg, FL
This is one driving day of about 101.9 miles and 2h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Leesburg, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 45.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 50.9 mi from Leesburg, FL
· 1h 6m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.22 one way
$32.44 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg36 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$17.64
$35.29
premium
$4.72
$18.95
$37.90
diesel
$5.61
$22.50
$45.00
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
$16
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
30.6
0
$10.70
$4.89
Efficient EV
25.5
0
$8.92
$4.08
EV Truck/SUV
40.8
0
$14.27
$6.52
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 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 15, 2026
Origin
Leesburg, FL
Night
in Leesburg on Friday
Local time
11:33 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Clearwater, FL
Night
in Clearwater on Friday
Local time
11:33 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
7 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 17m 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 Leesburg, FL to Clearwater, FL covers 101.9 miles and takes about 2h 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, I 275, FL 60. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 50.9 miles from Leesburg, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $16.22 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 101.9 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 11.6 miles (US 301): Lane positioning matters here; at 13.1 miles (US 301 / South Commercial Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 64.9 miles (I 275): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Leesburg, FL to Clearwater, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Petersburg along the way.
