Lehigh Acres to Clearwater is 144.1 miles and takes about 2 hours 59 minutes via I 75 and US Highway 19 North, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward drive entirely within Florida, moving from one part of the state to another. Expect a primarily highway-focused experience, making it a convenient option for a single-day trip. Given the relatively short duration and predictable roads, this route is ideal if you're looking for efficiency and ease.
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
72 miles from Lehigh Acres, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 28m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
89.9 mi
1h 36m
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
19.5 mi
22m
US Highway 19 North
9.1 mi
12m
Lee Boulevard
7.7 mi
13m
I 275
5.7 mi
7m
Gulf to Bay Boulevard
2.7 mi
5m
SR 82
2.3 mi
3m
Court Street
1.5 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 89.9 mi, about 1h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lehigh Acres, FL and Clearwater, FL.
1
Start on Richmond Avenue North
0.5 mi·1 min·Richmond Avenue North
2
Turn right onto East 5th Street
1.3 mi·5 min·East 5th Street
3
Turn left onto Williams Avenue
0.2 mi·30 sec·Williams Avenue
4
Turn right onto CR 884
7.7 mi·13 min·Lee Boulevard
Use the left lane.
5
Turn right onto FL 82
2.3 mi·3 min·SR 82
6
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·58 sec
Toward I 75 North: Tampa
7
Merge onto I 75
90 mi·1 hr 36 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
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.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·19 sec
10
Merge onto I 275; US 19
19 mi·22 min·Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 26BToward 54th Avenue North WestboundUse the slight right lane.
12
Turn straight onto 54th Avenue North
0.9 mi·1 min·54th Avenue North
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn right onto US 19
0.6 mi·1 min·34th Street North
14
Continue on US 19
9.1 mi·12 min·US Highway 19 North
Use the left lane.
15
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward FL 60: Seville Boulevard, Gulf To BayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on US 19 Northbound Frontage Road
0.4 mi·53 sec·US 19 Northbound Frontage Road
17
Continue on Northbound Frontage Road
0.2 mi·25 sec·Northbound Frontage Road
18
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Use the left lane.
19
Continue on FL 60
2.7 mi·5 min·Gulf to Bay Boulevard
20
Continue on FL 60
1.5 mi·3 min·Court Street
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn right onto South Ft Harrison Avenue
0.2 mi·39 sec·South Ft Harrison Avenue
Use the right lane.
22
Arrive at destination
North Fort Harrison Avenue
Trip Plan
With a drive time under three hours, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, so you have flexibility with your departure time. It's recommended to start earlier in the day to make the most of daylight, especially for navigating the highway sections. Plan for one stop to break up the drive, perhaps during the longer stretch on I 75. Keep an eye on your fuel level, as the $23 budget suggests efficient driving, and refuel before you get too low, particularly if you're traveling during off-peak hours when stations might be less frequent.
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 72 miles from Lehigh Acres, FL, or about 1h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.9 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 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72 miles or 1h 28m 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 20m
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 Lehigh Acres, 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 Lehigh Acres, FL
This is one driving day of about 144.1 miles and 2h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Lehigh Acres, 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 89.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 2 and 139.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
2 mi into trip|~6m in|CR 884 / Lee Boulevard
Turn right onto CR 884 / Lee Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
102.4 mi into trip|~2h 1m 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
127.9 mi into trip|~2h 31m 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
138.7 mi into trip|~2h 47m 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
139.4 mi into trip|~2h 49m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.94 one way
$45.87 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg50 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$24.95
$49.90
premium
$4.72
$26.79
$53.59
diesel
$5.61
$31.82
$63.63
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: 50.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
43.2
0
$15.13
$6.92
Efficient EV
36
0
$12.61
$5.76
EV Truck/SUV
57.6
0
$20.17
$9.22
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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Lehigh Acres, FL
Afternoon
in Lehigh Acres on Saturday
Local time
3:01 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Clearwater, FL
Afternoon
in Clearwater on Saturday
Local time
3:01 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
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
2h 59m 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.
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 109.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is largely defined by its highway character, with about 75% of the journey on major roadways like I 75. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 89.9 miles on I 75, offering a consistent pace. The Sunshine Skyway Bridge is a notable feature, providing a different kind of driving experience. As you approach your destination, the route transitions to US Highway 19 North, which may offer a slightly more varied road environment compared to the interstate.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 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 89.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 2 miles in near CR 884 / Lee Boulevard.
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 15 significant decision points across 144.1 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 miles (CR 884 / Lee Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 102.4 miles (I 275): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 127.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Lehigh Acres, FL to Clearwater, FL, road signs begin pointing toward 54Th Avenue North Westbound along the way.
Clearwater is a city in Pinellas County, a region in Florida.
Perhaps most easily recognized as the headquarters city of the Church of Scientology, Clearwater also has miles of beautiful beaches and close proximity to other cities in the Tampa Bay area.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 59m. Total distance: 144.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Lehigh Acres, FL to Clearwater, FL covers 144.1 miles and takes about 2h 59m 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 72 miles from Lehigh Acres, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.94 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 144.1 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 2 miles (CR 884 / Lee Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 102.4 miles (I 275): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 127.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Lehigh Acres, FL to Clearwater, FL, road signs begin pointing toward 54Th Avenue North Westbound along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
