Origin
Buenaventura Lakes, FL
Morning in Buenaventura Lakes on Sunday
Local time
9:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Buenaventura Lakes, FL to Clearwater, FL
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 6m
Distance
101.8 mi
164 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 57m
★
6 AM
2h 6m
8 AM
2h 24m
10 AM
2h 13m
12 PM
2h 11m
3 PM
2h 14m
5 PM
2h 24m
8 PM
2h 1m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Buenaventura Lakes, FL
Matt Fitz Gibaud
Clearwater, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Buenaventura Lakes to Clearwater is 101.8 miles and takes about 2 hours 6 minutes via I 4 and FL 60, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip primarily takes you across Florida on well-traveled highways, making it a straightforward journey between two points in the state. You'll spend most of your time on I 4, a major interstate, so expect consistent traffic and services. This route is ideal for a single-day drive, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
50.9 miles from Buenaventura Lakes, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 59m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 4 | 60.6 mi | 1h 6m |
| FL 60 | 9.3 mi | 12m |
| Southern Connector Extension | 8.2 mi | 9m |
| Central Florida GreeneWay | 6.8 mi | 7m |
| I 275 | 4.8 mi | 6m |
| Gulf to Bay Boulevard | 4.7 mi | 9m |
| Landstar Boulevard | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Court Street | 1.5 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 4
— 60.6 mi, about 1h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buenaventura Lakes, FL and Clearwater, FL.
1
Start on Gardenia Road
466 ft
·
22 sec
·
Gardenia Road
2
Turn right onto Kumquat Lane
260 ft
·
16 sec
·
Kumquat Lane
3
Turn left onto Florida Parkway
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Florida Parkway
4
Turn right onto Buenaventura Boulevard
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Buenaventura Boulevard
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on Landstar Boulevard
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Landstar Boulevard
Use the left lane.
6
Turn left onto 417 Toll
0.4 mi
·
25 sec
·
417 Toll
Toward FL 417 Toll South: Tampa
7
Merge onto FL 417 Toll
6.8 mi
·
7 min
·
Central Florida GreeneWay
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 417 Toll
8.2 mi
·
9 min
·
Southern Connector Extension
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 4
61 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
Toward I 275 South: Tampa International Airport, Saint Petersburg
Use the slight left lane.
11
Merge onto I 275
4.8 mi
·
6 min
·
I 275
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 39
Toward FL 60 West: Tampa International Airport, Clearwater
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto FL 60
0.4 mi
·
35 sec
·
Memorial Highway
Toward FL 60, FL 589 Toll: Tampa International Airport, Clearwater
14
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.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 2A
Toward FL 60 West: Clearwater
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on FL 60
9.3 mi
·
12 min
·
FL 60
Toward FL 60: Clearwater
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on FL 60
4.7 mi
·
9 min
·
Gulf to Bay Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
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
Given the 2 hour 6 minute duration, an early morning departure from Buenaventura Lakes is a good idea to avoid peak traffic, especially on I 4. With a fuel cost estimated at $16 and a total distance of 101.8 miles, you can comfortably complete this trip on a single tank of gas. While the drive is short enough to do in one go, you'll find plenty of service areas along I 4 for quick stops if needed. A specific tip for this route: pay attention to the signage for FL 60 as you transition onto I 4, as it can be a busy interchange.
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 50.9 miles from Buenaventura Lakes, FL, or about 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60.6 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 22 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 50.9 miles or 59m 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 36m
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 Buenaventura Lakes, 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 Buenaventura Lakes, FL
This is one driving day of about 101.8 miles and 2h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Buenaventura Lakes, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 4 for about 60.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
51 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 50.9 miles from Buenaventura Lakes, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 4 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 60.6 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 10 and 85.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
10 mi into trip
|
~13m in
|
FL 417 Toll / Southern Connector Extension
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 417 Toll / Southern Connector Extension
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
78.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 29m 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
84 mi into trip
|
~1h 37m 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
84.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 38m 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
85.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m 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
$16.20 one way
$32.41 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
36 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $17.63 | $35.25 |
| premium | $4.72 | $18.93 | $37.86 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $22.48 | $44.95 |
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
$16
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 30.5 | 0 | $10.69 | $4.89 |
| Efficient EV | 25.5 | 0 | $8.91 | $4.07 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 40.7 | 0 | $14.25 | $6.52 |
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Clearwater, FL
Morning in Clearwater on Sunday
Local time
9:29 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
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
2h 6m 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?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 74% of the journey taking place on interstates and major roads. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch on I 4, covering 60.6 miles. The route begins with a section on FL 60 before merging onto the wider I 4 corridor. Expect a consistent driving experience for the majority of this trip, characterized by relatively high speeds and predictable road conditions. The Southern Connector Extension provides a brief transition before you rejoin the main highway.
74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 60.6 mi on I 4.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 10 miles in near FL 417 Toll / Southern Connector Extension.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 101.8 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 10 miles (FL 417 Toll / Southern Connector Extension): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 78.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 84 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.
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 Buenaventura Lakes, FL to Clearwater, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Petersburg along the way.
Saint Petersburg
78.8 mi in
|
~1h 29m
About the Cities
Arriving in Clearwater, FL
Full guide →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.
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 2h 6m. Total distance: 101.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 60.6 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.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 10 miles (FL 417 Toll / Southern Connector Extension): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 78.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 84 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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