The drive from Parkland, FL to Clearwater, FL covers 269.7 miles and takes about 5h 7m 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, Sawgrass Expressway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 209.2 miles on I 75.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $42.93 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
134.9 miles from Parkland, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 29m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 7m. Total distance: 269.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 7m highway drive covering 269.7 miles, with most of the trip on I 75 and Sunshine Skyway Bridge. The longest continuous stretch is about 209.2 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 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 209.2 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 1.6 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
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 269.7 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 1.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 228 miles (I 275): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
1.6 mi into trip|~3m in
Take the ramp toward SR 869 Toll South: Miami, Sawgrass Expressway
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward SR 869 Toll South: Miami, Sawgrass Expre...
7
17.7 mi into trip|~22m in
Take the exit toward I 75 North: Alligator Alley, Naples
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 I 75 North: Alligator Alley, Naples
7
228 mi into trip|~4h 9m 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
253.5 mi into trip|~4h 39m 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
264.4 mi into trip|~4h 55m 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Parkland, FL and Clearwater, FL, road signs point toward Naples and 54Th Avenue North Westbound.
Naples
17.7 mi in|~22m
54Th Avenue North Westbound
253.5 mi in|~4h 39m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
209.2 mi
3h 44m
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
19.5 mi
22m
Sawgrass Expressway
15.5 mi
17m
US Highway 19 North
9.1 mi
12m
I 275
5.7 mi
7m
Gulf to Bay Boulevard
2.7 mi
5m
Court Street
1.5 mi
3m
Holmberg Road
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 209.2 mi, about 3h 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Parkland, FL and Clearwater, FL.
1
Start on Holmberg Road
1.1 mi·2 min·Holmberg Road
2
Turn left onto North University Drive
0.6 mi·1 min·North University Drive
Use the left lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward SR 869 Toll South: Miami, Sawgrass ExpresswayUse the right lane.
4
Merge onto SR 869 Toll
16 mi·17 min·Sawgrass Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
1.0 mi·2 min
Toward I 75 North: Alligator Alley, NaplesUse the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto I 595
0.1 mi·7 sec·I 595
7
Merge onto I 75
209 mi·3 hr 44 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
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 134.9 miles from Parkland, FL, or about 2h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 209.2 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 59 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134.9 miles or 2h 29m 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 1m
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 Parkland, 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 Parkland, FL
This is one driving day of about 269.7 miles and 5h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Parkland, 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 209.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 134.9 mi from Parkland, FL
· 2h 29m 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...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 232.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.93 one way
$85.86 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg94 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$46.70
$93.40
premium
$4.72
$50.15
$100.30
diesel
$5.61
$59.55
$119.09
Estimated Tolls: $2.60
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
(19.5 mi)$1.36
Sawgrass Expressway
(15.5 mi)$1.24
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
$43
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.9
0
$28.32
$12.95
Efficient EV
67.4
0
$23.60
$10.79
EV Truck/SUV
107.9
1
$37.76
$17.26
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Parkland, FL
Late night
in Parkland on Saturday
Local time
3:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Clearwater, FL
Late night
in Clearwater on Saturday
Local time
3:59 AM
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
11 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 7m 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 Parkland, FL to Clearwater, FL covers 269.7 miles and takes about 5h 7m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, Sunshine Skyway Bridge, Sawgrass Expressway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 134.9 miles from Parkland, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $42.93 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 15 significant decision points across 269.7 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 1.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 228 miles (I 275): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Parkland, FL and Clearwater, FL, road signs point toward Naples and 54Th Avenue North Westbound.
