The drive from North Port, FL to Clearwater, FL covers 88.1 miles and takes about 1h 53m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 75, Sunshine Skyway Bridge, US Highway 19 North for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 36.2 miles on I 75.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $14.02 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
44.1 miles from North Port, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 53m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 53m. Total distance: 88.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (58%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from North Port, FL to Clearwater, FL covers 88.1 miles and takes about 1h 53m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 20 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 36.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10.2 miles in near I 75.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 88.1 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 10.2 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 46.4 miles (I 275): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 71.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
10.2 mi into trip|~16m in|I 75
Merge onto I 75
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
46.4 mi into trip|~55m 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
71.9 mi into trip|~1h 25m 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
82.8 mi into trip|~1h 42m 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
83.5 mi into trip|~1h 43m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between North Port, FL and Clearwater, FL, road signs point toward 54Th Avenue North Westbound and Gulf To Bay.
54Th Avenue North Westbound
71.9 mi in|~1h 25m
Gulf To Bay
82.8 mi in|~1h 42m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
36.2 mi
38m
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
19.5 mi
22m
US Highway 19 North
9.1 mi
12m
I 275
5.7 mi
7m
North River Road
5.7 mi
9m
Tamiami Trail
4.1 mi
6m
Gulf to Bay Boulevard
2.7 mi
5m
Court Street
1.5 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 36.2 mi, about 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Port, FL and Clearwater, FL.
1
Start on North Port Boulevard
169 ft·8 sec·North Port Boulevard
2
Turn right onto US 41
4.1 mi·6 min·Tamiami Trail
3
Turn right onto FL 777
5.7 mi·9 min·North River Road
4
Turn left
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward I 75 North: Tampa
5
Merge onto I 75
36 mi·38 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
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.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·19 sec
8
Merge onto I 275; US 19
19 mi·22 min·Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 26BToward 54th Avenue North WestboundUse the slight right lane.
10
Turn straight onto 54th Avenue North
0.9 mi·1 min·54th Avenue North
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn right onto US 19
0.6 mi·1 min·34th Street North
12
Continue on US 19
9.1 mi·12 min·US Highway 19 North
Use the left lane.
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward FL 60: Seville Boulevard, Gulf To BayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on US 19 Northbound Frontage Road
0.4 mi·53 sec·US 19 Northbound Frontage Road
15
Continue on Northbound Frontage Road
0.2 mi·25 sec·Northbound Frontage Road
16
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on FL 60
2.7 mi·5 min·Gulf to Bay Boulevard
18
Continue on FL 60
1.5 mi·3 min·Court Street
Use the straight lane.
19
Turn right onto South Ft Harrison Avenue
0.2 mi·39 sec·South Ft Harrison Avenue
Use the right lane.
20
Arrive at destination
North Fort Harrison Avenue
Trip Plan
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 44.1 miles from North Port, FL, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 36.2 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 19 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.1 miles or 53m 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 31m
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 North Port, FL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from North Port, FL
This is one driving day of about 88.1 miles and 1h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from North Port, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 36.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 44.1 mi from North Port, FL
· 53m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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 54.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.02 one way
$28.05 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$15.25
$30.51
premium
$4.72
$16.38
$32.76
diesel
$5.61
$19.45
$38.90
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
$14
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
42 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Circuit électrique Charging Station
Largo, Florida
Other
1 DCFC
EV Connect Charging Station
Largo, Florida
EV Connect
1 DCFC
Ionna Charging Station
Largo, Florida
Other
1 DCFC
Mercedes-Benz Charging Station
Venice, Florida
Other
1 DCFC
Electric Era Charging Station
Venice, Florida
Other
1 DCFC
Electric Vehicle Charging Station
Largo, Florida
Other
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Clearwater, Florida
Tesla
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Venice, Florida
Tesla
1 DCFC
Other: 17
Blink: 10
ChargePoint: 8
EV Connect: 2
Tesla: 2
Electrify America: 1
Shell Recharge: 1
Tesla Destination: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.4
0
$9.25
$4.23
Efficient EV
22
0
$7.71
$3.52
EV Truck/SUV
35.2
0
$12.33
$5.64
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% 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
North Port, FL
Evening
in North Port on Thursday
Local time
6:14 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Clearwater, FL
Evening
in Clearwater on Thursday
Local time
6:14 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
5 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
1h 53m 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 North Port, FL to Clearwater, FL covers 88.1 miles and takes about 1h 53m 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. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 44.1 miles from North Port, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.02 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 88.1 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 10.2 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 46.4 miles (I 275): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 71.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between North Port, FL and Clearwater, FL, road signs point toward 54Th Avenue North Westbound and Gulf To Bay.
