Drive Time
4h 6m
Distance
274.7 mi
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$45
one way
The drive from Palm Springs, FL to Clearwater, FL covers 274.7 miles and takes about 4h 6m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on West 53rd Street, West 12th Avenue, West 68th Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $44.86 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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
137.4 miles from Palm Springs, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 3m into the drive .
Expect a 4h 6m drive with frequent turns across 274.7 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West 53rd Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West 12th Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West 68th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| SR 826 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Palmetto Expressway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 75 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Alligator Alley | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 275 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Palm Springs, FL and Clearwater, FL.
Start on West 8th Avenue
Turn right onto West 53rd Street
Turn right onto West 12th Avenue
Turn left onto West 68th Street
Turn left onto SR 826 North
Merge slight left onto Palmetto Expressway
Take the exit slight right toward I 75 North: Naples
Merge slight right
Keep slight left to continue on Alligator Alley, Naples
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
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.
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 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137.4 miles or 2h 3m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clearwater, FL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Palm Springs, 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 Palm Springs, FL
This is one driving day of about 274.7 miles and 4h 6m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 137.4 mi from Palm Springs, FL · 2h 3m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
137 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 137.4 miles from Palm Springs, 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
$44.86 one way
$89.72 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $49.71 | $99.41 |
| premium | $4.90 | $52.95 | $105.90 |
| diesel | $4.35 | $47.05 | $94.09 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96.1 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 82.4 | 1 | $28.84 | $13.19 |
| Efficient EV | 68.7 | 0 | $24.04 | $10.99 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 109.9 | 1 | $38.46 | $17.58 |
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 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 Palm Springs on Saturday
Local time
6:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Clearwater on Saturday
Local time
6:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
67°F
Punta Gorda, FL
137 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
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Explore more options from Palm Springs, FL or browse trips ending in Clearwater, FL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse FL road trips.
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