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Trip from Palmetto Bay, FL to Clearwater, FL

Drive Time

5h 30m

Distance

288.4 mi

464 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$48

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 17m ★
6 AM
5h 31m
8 AM
5h 57m
10 AM
5h 40m
12 PM
5h 37m
3 PM
5h 41m
5 PM
5h 56m
8 PM
5h 23m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Palmetto Bay, FL, FL

Palmetto Bay, FL

DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ

county seat of Pinellas County, Florida, United States

Clearwater, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Palmetto Bay, FL to Clearwater, FL covers 288.4 miles and takes about 5h 30m 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, Express Lanes for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 224.5 miles on I 75. At current regular gas prices, budget about $48.18 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

144.2 miles from Palmetto Bay, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 42m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 5h 30m highway drive covering 288.4 miles, with most of the trip on I 75 and Sunshine Skyway Bridge. The longest continuous stretch is about 224.5 miles on I 75.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 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 224.5 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 early in the drive near Southwest 82nd Avenue.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 288.4 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: near the start (Southwest 82nd Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 22 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.9 miles (I 75): 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
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Southwest 82nd Avenue

Enter roundabout onto Southwest 82nd Avenue

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

7
22 mi into trip | ~31m in

Take the exit toward SR 860: Northwest 186th Street, Miami Gardens Drive

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward SR 860: Northwest 186th Street, Miami Ga...
8
35.9 mi into trip | ~46m 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
246.7 mi into trip | ~4h 32m 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
272.2 mi into trip | ~5h 2m 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 Palmetto Bay, FL and Clearwater, FL, road signs point toward Alligator Alley, Naples and 54Th Avenue North Westbound.

Alligator Alley

35.9 mi in | ~46m | via I 75

Naples

35.9 mi in | ~46m | via I 75

54Th Avenue North Westbound

272.2 mi in | ~5h 2m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 75 224.5 mi 4h
Sunshine Skyway Bridge 19.5 mi 22m
Express Lanes 10.9 mi 12m
US Highway 19 North 9.1 mi 12m
Palmetto Expressway 7.2 mi 10m
I 275 5.7 mi 7m
Gulf to Bay Boulevard 2.7 mi 5m
Southwest 82nd Avenue 2.6 mi 6m
Longest stretch: I 75 — 224.5 mi, about 4h

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Palmetto Bay, FL and Clearwater, FL.

1

Start on Southwest 160th Street

37 ft · 7 sec · Southwest 160th Street
2

Enter roundabout onto Southwest 82nd Avenue

65 ft · 1 sec · Southwest 82nd Avenue
3

Continue on Southwest 82nd Avenue

2.5 mi · 6 min · Southwest 82nd Avenue
4

At end of road, turn left onto Southwest 120th Street

74 ft · 1 sec · Southwest 120th Street
5

Take the ramp

124 ft · 4 sec
6

At end of road, turn right onto US 1

1.4 mi · 2 min · South Dixie Highway
Use the right lane.
7

Keep slight right at fork onto SR 826

7.2 mi · 10 min · Palmetto Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
8

Keep slight left at fork onto Express Lanes

11 mi · 12 min · Express Lanes
Use the slight left lane.
9

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 13 sec
Toward SR 860: Northwest 186th Street, Miami Gardens Drive Use the slight right lane.
10

Merge onto I 75

14 mi · 14 min · I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

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.
12

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.
13

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 19 sec
14

Merge onto I 275; US 19

19 mi · 22 min · Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Exit 26B Toward 54th Avenue North Westbound Use the slight right lane.
16

Turn straight onto 54th Avenue North

0.9 mi · 1 min · 54th Avenue North
Use the straight lane.
17

Turn right onto US 19

0.6 mi · 1 min · 34th Street North
18

Continue on US 19

9.1 mi · 12 min · US Highway 19 North
Use the left lane.
19

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 13 sec
Toward FL 60: Seville Boulevard, Gulf To Bay Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Continue on US 19 Northbound Frontage Road

0.4 mi · 53 sec · US 19 Northbound Frontage Road
21

Continue on Northbound Frontage Road

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Northbound Frontage Road
22

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 19 sec
Use the left lane.
23

Continue on FL 60

2.7 mi · 5 min · Gulf to Bay Boulevard
24

Continue on FL 60

1.5 mi · 3 min · Court Street
Use the straight lane.
25

Turn right onto South Ft Harrison Avenue

0.2 mi · 39 sec · South Ft Harrison Avenue
Use the right lane.
26

Arrive at destination

North Fort Harrison Avenue

Trip Plan

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 144.2 miles from Palmetto Bay, FL, or about 2h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 224.5 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 33m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 144.2 miles or 2h 42m 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 21m

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 Palmetto Bay, 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 Palmetto Bay, FL

This is one driving day of about 288.4 miles and 5h 30m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Palmetto Bay, 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 224.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 144.2 mi from Palmetto Bay, FL · 2h 42m into the drive

Downtown Punta Gorda, FL, FL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Punta Gorda, FL

144 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.

Popular next leg

Punta Gorda, FL to Clearwater, FL

109.8 mi · 1h 52m

Pacing Suggestions

Bonita Springs, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Cape Coral, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 144.2 miles from Palmetto Bay, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 224.5 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

De Soto National Memorial

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...

8 mi from route ~20 min detour Free near mile 248.7
View on nps.gov
Biscayne National Park

Biscayne National Park

National Park

Within sight of Miami, yet worlds away, Biscayne protects a rare combination of aquamarine waters, emerald islands, and fish-bejeweled coral reefs. Evidence of 10,000 years of human history is here to...

12 mi from route ~29 min detour Free
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$48.18 one way

$96.35 round trip

$4.24/gal 25.4 MPG avg 101 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.60 $52.18 $104.37
premium $4.90 $55.59 $111.18
diesel $5.64 $64.07 $128.14

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

$48

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$75–$100

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 100.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 86.5 1 $30.28 $13.84
Efficient EV 72.1 0 $25.23 $11.54
EV Truck/SUV 115.4 1 $40.38 $18.46

Gas CO2

101 kg

EV CO2

34 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.

Forecast data refreshed 4 hours ago

Origin

Palmetto Bay, FL

Evening in Palmetto Bay on Monday

Local time

5:58 PM

EDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Clearwater, FL

Evening in Clearwater on Monday

Local time

5:58 PM

EDT

Current temp

83°F

Mostly Sunny

ENE 9 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Rip Current Statement

Rip Current Statement issued April 13 at 12:28PM EDT until April 14 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL

Rip Current Statement

Rip Current Statement issued April 13 at 2:00AM EDT until April 14 at 5:00AM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL

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

13 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

5h 30m 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 Palmetto Bay, FL to Clearwater, FL covers 288.4 miles and takes about 5h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, Sunshine Skyway Bridge, Express Lanes. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 144.2 miles from Palmetto Bay, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $48.18 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 18 significant decision points across 288.4 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: near the start (Southwest 82nd Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 22 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.9 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Palmetto Bay, FL and Clearwater, FL, road signs point toward Alligator Alley, Naples and 54Th Avenue North Westbound.

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