Origin
Miami Gardens, FL
Evening in Miami Gardens on Sunday
Local time
5:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Miami Gardens, FL to Clearwater, FL
Drive Time
5h 9m
Distance
271.2 mi
436 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$45
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 56m
★
6 AM
5h 10m
8 AM
5h 37m
10 AM
5h 19m
12 PM
5h 17m
3 PM
5h 21m
5 PM
5h 35m
8 PM
5h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Miami Gardens, FL
DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ
Clearwater, FL
Arian Fernandez
Trip Overview
Connecting Miami Gardens to Clearwater, this 271.2-mile journey takes approximately 5 hours and 9 minutes of driving time. Because the route is highway-focused, it is easily manageable as a single-day trip, allowing you to reach the Gulf Coast by afternoon. You can expect to spend roughly $44 on fuel for the trek. The path primarily utilizes I-75 and US Highway 19 North to move you from the Atlantic side of Florida toward the Tampa Bay area. While the duration is straightforward, having a plan for at least one stop will help keep you fresh behind the wheel.
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
135.6 miles from Miami Gardens, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 30m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a classic Florida interstate experience, as 89% of this trip is spent on high-speed roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 219.8 miles on I-75, which accounts for the vast majority of your time in the driver's seat. As you transition onto US Highway 19 North and eventually cross the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, the environment shifts from the fast-paced flow of the interstate to more regional transit. This highway-heavy profile means you will spend most of the trip maintaining steady speeds, so prepare for a consistent, efficient ride rather than a winding backroad adventure.
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 219.8 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 5.1 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 271.2 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 5.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.6 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
5.1 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Take the exit toward SR 823: Red Road, Northwest 57th Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 43
Toward SR 823: Red Road, Northwest 57th Avenue
8
5.4 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Keep slight right at fork toward SR 823 North: Red Road, Miramar Pembroke Pines
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward SR 823 North: Red Road, Miramar Pembroke...
8
18.6 mi into trip
|
~25m in
|
I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward Alligator Alley, Naples
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward Alligator Alley, Naples
7
229.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 11m 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
255 mi into trip
|
~4h 41m 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
Towns Along This Route
Between Miami Gardens, FL and Clearwater, FL, road signs point toward Alligator Alley, Naples and 54Th Avenue North Westbound.
Alligator Alley
18.6 mi in
|
~25m
|
via I 75
Naples
18.6 mi in
|
~25m
|
via I 75
54Th Avenue North Westbound
255 mi in
|
~4h 41m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 219.8 mi | 3h 55m |
| Sunshine Skyway Bridge | 19.5 mi | 22m |
| US Highway 19 North | 9.1 mi | 12m |
| I 275 | 5.7 mi | 7m |
| Miramar Parkway | 3.3 mi | 5m |
| Gulf to Bay Boulevard | 2.7 mi | 5m |
| Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike | 2.3 mi | 2m |
| Northwest 27th Avenue | 2.2 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 219.8 mi, about 3h 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Miami Gardens, FL and Clearwater, FL.
1
Start on this road
42 ft
·
5 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto SR 817
345 ft
·
8 sec
·
Northwest 27th Avenue
3
Continue on SR 817
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Northwest 27th Avenue
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on SR 817
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
South University Drive
Use the none lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Use the left lane.
6
Continue on this road
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
this road
7
Merge onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 43
Toward SR 823: Red Road, Northwest 57th Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
281 ft
·
8 sec
Toward SR 823 North: Red Road, Miramar Pembroke Pines
Use the right lane.
10
Merge onto SR 823
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
Red Road
Use the right lane.
11
Turn left onto CR 858
3.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Miramar Parkway
Use the left lane.
12
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 75 North: Naples
Use the right lane.
13
Merge onto I 75
9.0 mi
·
9 min
·
I 75
Use the none lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
211 mi
·
3 hr 45 min
·
I 75
Toward Alligator Alley, Naples
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
15
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.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
17
Merge onto I 275; US 19
19 mi
·
22 min
·
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 26B
Toward 54th Avenue North Westbound
Use the slight right lane.
19
Turn straight onto 54th Avenue North
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
54th Avenue North
Use the straight lane.
20
Turn right onto US 19
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
34th Street North
Use the none lane.
21
Continue on US 19
9.1 mi
·
12 min
·
US Highway 19 North
Use the none lane.
22
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
Toward FL 60: Seville Boulevard, Gulf To Bay
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on US 19 Northbound Frontage Road
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
US 19 Northbound Frontage Road
24
Continue on Northbound Frontage Road
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Northbound Frontage Road
25
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Use the left lane.
26
Continue on FL 60
2.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Gulf to Bay Boulevard
Use the none lane.
27
Continue on FL 60
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Court Street
Use the straight / none lanes.
28
Turn right onto South Ft Harrison Avenue
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
South Ft Harrison Avenue
Use the right lane.
29
Arrive at destination
North Fort Harrison Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 5-hour drive, try to depart early in the morning to avoid peak traffic patterns near major hubs. Since this is a highway-heavy route, build in at least one scheduled stop during your 271.2-mile trek to stretch your legs and reset. Keep your budget of $44 for fuel in mind as you plan your refueling points along the interstate corridor. A specific tip for this route is to stay alert for shifting traffic conditions when you transition from the high-speed lanes of I-75 to the local flow of US Highway 19 North, as the pace of travel can change quickly near your destination in Clearwater.
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 135.6 miles from Miami Gardens, FL, or about 2h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 219.8 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 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 135.6 miles or 2h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 3m
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 Miami Gardens, 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 Miami Gardens, FL
This is one driving day of about 271.2 miles and 5h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Miami Gardens, 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 219.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 135.6 mi from Miami Gardens, FL · 2h 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
136 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 135.6 miles from Miami Gardens, 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 219.8 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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.30 one way
$90.61 round trip
$4.24/gal
25.4 MPG avg
95 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $49.07 | $98.14 |
| premium | $4.90 | $52.28 | $104.55 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $60.25 | $120.50 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.50
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
(19.5 mi)
$1.36
Homestead Extension
(2.3 mi)
$0.14
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
$45
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 81.4 | 1 | $28.48 | $13.02 |
| Efficient EV | 67.8 | 0 | $23.73 | $10.85 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 108.5 | 1 | $37.97 | $17.36 |
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Clearwater, FL
Evening in Clearwater on Sunday
Local time
5:52 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
14 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 9m 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 Miami Gardens, FL to Clearwater, FL covers 271.2 miles and takes about 5h 9m 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 135.6 miles from Miami Gardens, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $45.30 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 271.2 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 5.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.6 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Miami Gardens, FL and Clearwater, FL, road signs point toward Alligator Alley, Naples and 54Th Avenue North Westbound.
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