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Trip from Auburndale, FL to Clearwater, FL

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 33m

Distance

65.8 mi

106 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$10

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 21 min
4 AM
1h 26m ★
6 AM
1h 33m
8 AM
1h 47m
10 AM
1h 38m
12 PM
1h 37m
3 PM
1h 39m
5 PM
1h 46m
8 PM
1h 29m

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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city in Polk County, Florida, United States

Auburndale, FL

Wikimedia Commons

county seat of Pinellas County, Florida, United States

Clearwater, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 70.3-mile drive from Auburndale, FL to Clearwater, FL takes about 1 hour and 22 minutes, making it a perfect one-day trip. You'll navigate local roads, with no highway time, so expect a turn-heavy experience. The estimated fuel cost is around $12, which is quite budget-friendly for a journey of this length. This route is ideal for a relaxed day trip, allowing you to set your own pace and enjoy the local scenery without the need for an overnight stay. Both your origin and destination are within Florida, keeping the travel context consistent.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

32.9 miles from Auburndale, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 45m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 4 27.6 mi 30m
FL 60 9.3 mi 12m
Magnolia Avenue 7.2 mi 10m
I 275 4.8 mi 6m
Gulf to Bay Boulevard 4.7 mi 9m
West Memorial Boulevard 3.6 mi 6m
US 92 3.4 mi 6m
Court Street 1.5 mi 3m
Longest stretch: I 4 — 27.6 mi, about 30m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on North Bartow Avenue

10 ft · 0 sec · North Bartow Avenue
2

Continue on Main Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · Main Street
3

Turn right onto US 92

7.2 mi · 10 min · Magnolia Avenue
4

Continue on US 92

3.4 mi · 6 min · US 92
Use the left lane.
5

Continue on US 92

3.6 mi · 6 min · West Memorial Boulevard
Use the left lane.
6

Turn left

0.5 mi · 1 min
Use the left lane.
7

Merge onto I 4

28 mi · 30 min · I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 40 sec
Toward I 275 South: Tampa International Airport, Saint Petersburg Use the slight left lane.
9

Merge onto I 275

4.8 mi · 6 min · I 275
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Exit 39 Toward FL 60 West: Tampa International Airport, Clearwater Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Merge onto FL 60

0.4 mi · 35 sec · Memorial Highway
Toward FL 60, FL 589 Toll: Tampa International Airport, Clearwater
12

Keep slight left at fork onto FL 589 Toll

0.9 mi · 1 min · Veterans Expressway
Toward FL 589 Toll Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 49 sec
Exit 2A Toward FL 60 West: Clearwater Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Continue on FL 60

9.3 mi · 12 min · FL 60
Toward FL 60: Clearwater Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Continue on FL 60

4.7 mi · 9 min · Gulf to Bay Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
16

Continue on FL 60

1.5 mi · 3 min · Court Street
Use the straight lane.
17

Turn right onto South Ft Harrison Avenue

0.2 mi · 39 sec · South Ft Harrison Avenue
Use the right lane.
18

Arrive at destination

North Fort Harrison Avenue

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short 70.3-mile distance and 1 hour 22 minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility with this drive. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid early rush hour traffic in Auburndale and to arrive in Clearwater with ample daylight. With no highway driving and a turn-heavy profile, keep your navigation handy and be mindful of local traffic patterns, especially on Main Street and Magnolia Avenue. The $12 fuel cost is minimal, so you won't need to worry much about refueling stops, but it's always wise to start with a full tank to ensure a smooth, uninterrupted journey.

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 32.9 miles from Auburndale, FL, or about 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27.6 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 14 miles or 23m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 32.9 miles or 45m 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 15m

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 Auburndale, FL so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Auburndale, FL

This is one driving day of about 65.8 miles and 1h 33m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 14 miles from Auburndale, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 4 for about 27.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Florida, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Tampa, FL

33 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

Lakeland, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Mango, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 32.9 miles from Auburndale, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · final third

Retro House Coffee Bar & Asian Bistro

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tampa, Florida

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Final third · 33min to go 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 7:30 am–9 pm

+18138125025

Visit website

Southie Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Clearwater, Florida

1.8 mi

Yacht StarShip Cruises & Events

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Clearwater, Florida

1.7 mi

Best coffee break

Haven Coffee Roastery & Bakery

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Auburndale, Florida

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+18632297279

Visit website

Elevation Coffee Heights

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tampa, Florida

0.7 mi

22nd Street Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tampa, Florida

1.1 mi

Retro House Coffee Bar & Asian Bistro

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Final third 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 7:30 am–9 pm

+18138125025

Visit website

Southie Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Clearwater, Florida

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+17276213888

Visit website

Yacht StarShip Cruises & Events

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour Moderately

Clearwater, Florida

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+18132237999

Visit website

The Coffee Mill

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour Inexpensiv

Largo, Florida

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+17272238595

Visit website

Haven Coffee Roastery & Bakery

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Auburndale, Florida

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+18632297279

Visit website

Elevation Coffee Heights

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Final third 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

Visit website

22nd Street Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+18133040373

Visit website

Black & Brew

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Lakeland, Florida

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+18635009500

Visit website

Pressed Books & Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Lakeland, Florida

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+18636033166

Visit website

Yummies Coffee

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Clearwater, Florida

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+18135497426

Visit website

The Lab Coffee - Heights

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+18138436588

Visit website

The Lab Coffee - West Tampa

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour

Clearwater, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Clearwater, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Ionna Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

Largo, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18334662474

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Clearwater, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

bp pulse Charging Station

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Clearwater, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18332778573

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Clearwater, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour

Clearwater, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

2.4 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour

Clearwater, Florida

+19549249779

Visit website

Cracker Country

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Tampa, Florida

+18136274225

Visit website

Cliff Stephens Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 1 mi from route ~2 min detour

Clearwater, Florida

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+17275624800

Visit website

Perry Harvey Sr. Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+18132748615

Visit website

The Florida Aquarium

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18132734000

Visit website

Clearwater Marine Aquarium

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Clearwater, Florida

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+17274411790

Visit website

Magic Carpet Glide

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+18136379797

Visit website

Bonnet Springs Park

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour

Lakeland, Florida

Hours: 6 am–7:30 pm

+18637327000

Visit website

Dinosaur World

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Plant City, Florida

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+18137179865

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 11

5 decision points cluster between mile 14.6 and 49.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
14.6 mi into trip | ~24m in

Turn left

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
8
42.8 mi into trip | ~56m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 275 South: Tampa International Airport, Saint Petersburg

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 275 South: Tampa International Airport...
8
48 mi into trip | ~1h 3m in

Take the exit toward FL 60 West: Tampa International Airport, Clearwater

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. Exit 39 Toward FL 60 West: Tampa International Airport,...
7
48.7 mi into trip | ~1h 5m in | FL 589 Toll / Veterans Expressway

Keep slight left at fork onto FL 589 Toll / Veterans Expressway toward FL 589 Toll

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward FL 589 Toll
7
49.6 mi into trip | ~1h 6m in

Take the exit toward FL 60 West: Clearwater

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 2A Toward FL 60 West: Clearwater

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$10.47 one way

$20.95 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 23 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.40 $11.39 $22.79
premium $4.72 $12.24 $24.47
diesel $5.61 $14.53 $29.06

Estimated Tolls: $0.07

Veterans Expressway (0.9 mi) $0.07

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

$10

Tolls

$0

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$36–$61

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 23 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 19.7 0 $6.91 $3.16
Efficient EV 16.5 0 $5.76 $2.63
EV Truck/SUV 26.3 0 $9.21 $4.21

Gas CO2

23 kg

EV CO2

8 kg (65% 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 20, 2026

Origin

Auburndale, FL

Morning in Auburndale on Tuesday

Local time

6:35 AM

EDT

Current temp

90°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Clearwater, FL

Morning in Clearwater on Tuesday

Local time

6:35 AM

EDT

Current temp

79°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

1h 33m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Prepare for a decidedly local feel on this route, with a highway share of 0%. The drive is characterized by frequent turns, primarily utilizing Main Street, Magnolia Avenue, and West Memorial Boulevard. There isn't a single 'longest stretch' of uninterrupted driving, meaning you'll be actively navigating through towns and intersections for the entire 1 hour and 22 minutes. This isn't a high-speed journey; rather, it's a more engaging, turn-by-turn experience that keeps you connected to the local environment.

70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 27.6 mi on I 4.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 4 and FL 60. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 14.6 miles in.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 65.8 miles you will encounter 11 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 14.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 42.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Auburndale, FL to Clearwater, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Petersburg along the way.

Saint Petersburg

42.8 mi in | ~56m

About the Cities

Starting in Auburndale, FL

Full guide →

Auburndale is a town in Polk County, Florida.

Arriving in Clearwater, FL

Full guide →

Founded 1891

Clearwater is a city in Pinellas County, a region in Florida. Perhaps most easily recognized as the headquarters city of the Church of Scientology, Clearwater also has miles of beautiful beaches and close proximity to other cities in the Tampa Bay area.

Top landmarks

  • • Belleview-Biltmore Hotel — hotel in Clearwater, United States of America
  • • Donald Roebling Estate — historic residential estate in Clearwater, within Pinellas County, FL

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 33m. Total distance: 65.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 27.6 miles on I 4. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $0.07 in tolls one way, starting with Veterans Expressway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Clearwater, FL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

The main spots that need attention: at 14.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 42.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Clearwater, FL before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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