Clearwater, FL to Doral, FL is 271.7 miles and takes about 5h 12m via I 75 and US 27, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Florida, heading south from the Gulf Coast towards South Florida. Given its mostly highway profile and single-day recommendation, it's a straightforward trip for most drivers. You'll experience a significant stretch on I 75 before transitioning to other main roads for the final leg. Plan for a direct transit with minimal overnight needs.
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
135.8 miles from Clearwater, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
203.8 mi
3h 38m
US 27
17.9 mi
22m
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
13.4 mi
15m
I 275
11.2 mi
14m
US Highway 19 North
10.1 mi
14m
Drew Street
4.2 mi
8m
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
3.8 mi
4m
Northwest 107th Avenue
1.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 203.8 mi, about 3h 38m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 92 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,831 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,554
Quietest
2 AM
~187 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clearwater, FL and Doral, FL.
1
Start on North Fort Harrison Avenue
0.2 mi·27 sec·North Fort Harrison Avenue
2
Turn right onto Drew Street
4.2 mi·8 min·Drew Street
3
Take the ramp
198 ft·5 sec
Use the right lane.
4
Merge onto Southbound Frontage Road
355 ft·8 sec·Southbound Frontage Road
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward US 19 South
6
Merge onto US 19
5.7 mi·7 min·US Highway 19 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto US 19
4.4 mi·6 min·US Highway 19 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on US 19
0.6 mi·1 min·34th Street North
9
Turn left onto 54th Avenue North
0.8 mi·1 min·54th Avenue North
Use the left lane.
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 275 SouthUse the right lane.
11
Merge onto I 275
10 mi·11 min·I 275
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·17 sec
13
Merge onto I 275; US 19
13 mi·15 min·Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 275
1.1 mi·2 min·I 275
Toward I 75 South: Naples
15
Merge onto I 75
28 mi·30 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
176 mi·3 hr 8 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward US 27: Miami, South Bay
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·58 sec
Toward US 27 South: Miami
19
Merge onto US 27
9.2 mi·11 min·US 27
Use the right lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto US 27
8.6 mi·11 min·US 27
Use the straight lane.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward Florida's Turnpike South: Homestead, Key West
22
Merge onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
3.8 mi·4 min·Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 31Toward Northwest 74th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on Northwest 74th Street
0.8 mi·1 min·Northwest 74th Street
Use the left lane.
25
Turn right onto Northwest 107th Avenue
1.3 mi·2 min·Northwest 107th Avenue
26
Turn left onto Northwest 52nd Street
0.9 mi·2 min·Northwest 52nd Street
27
Turn right onto Northwest 99th Avenue
171 ft·7 sec·Northwest 99th Avenue
28
Turn right onto Northwest 51st Lane
59 ft·4 sec·Northwest 51st Lane
29
Turn left onto Northwest 99th Avenue
286 ft·16 sec·Northwest 99th Avenue
30
Turn left onto Northwest 51st Terrace
0.1 mi·25 sec·Northwest 51st Terrace
31
Turn right
41 ft·2 sec
32
Turn right
60 ft·2 sec
33
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
This is a manageable one-day drive, so leaving in the morning gives you plenty of flexibility. Aim to depart Clearwater by mid-morning to avoid peak early traffic and ensure you arrive in Doral with daylight to spare. The longest stretch on I 75 is over 200 miles, so consider stopping for fuel before you hit that segment if your tank is low. You'll only have one recommended stop, so use it wisely for a break or to refuel. The fuel cost is estimated at $43, so keep that in mind for your budget.
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 135.8 miles from Clearwater, FL, or about 2h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 203.8 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 60 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 135.8 miles or 2h 37m 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 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Doral, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Clearwater, 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 Clearwater, FL
This is one driving day of about 271.7 miles and 5h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Clearwater, 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 203.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 28
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.5 and 267.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
4.5 mi into trip|~8m in
Take the exit toward US 19 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward US 19 South
6
10.4 mi into trip|~17m in|US 19 / US Highway 19 North
Keep slight left at fork onto US 19 / US Highway 19 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
69.3 mi into trip|~1h 26m in|I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
255 mi into trip|~4h 47m in|US 27
Keep slight right at fork onto US 27
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
267.7 mi into trip|~5h 3m in
Take the exit toward Northwest 74th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 31
Toward Northwest 74th Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.69 one way
$87.37 round trip
$4.08/gal25.4 MPG avg95 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$47.65
$95.31
premium
$4.78
$51.15
$102.30
diesel
$6.28
$67.13
$134.27
Estimated Tolls: $1.17
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
(13.4 mi)$0.94
Homestead Extension
(3.8 mi)$0.23
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
$44
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
81.5
1
$28.53
$13.04
Efficient EV
67.9
0
$23.77
$10.87
EV Truck/SUV
108.7
1
$38.04
$17.39
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 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 as of Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Clearwater, FL
Morning
in Clearwater on Thursday
Local time
6:40 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Sunny
NE 12 to 16 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 2:34AM EDT until October 22 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 2:26AM EDT until October 22 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Destination
Doral, FL
Morning
in Doral on Thursday
Local time
6:40 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Mostly Sunny
NE 14 to 20 mph11% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 2:34AM EDT until October 22 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 2:26AM EDT until October 22 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Jacksonville 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
4 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 12m 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.
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
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 37.5
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...
24 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 271.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
With 91% of this route on highways, expect sustained driving for most of the 271.7 miles. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 203.8 miles on I 75, offering a consistent cruising experience. The transition away from the primary interstate onto US 27 and other roads will introduce more frequent exits and potentially a change in traffic patterns as you approach your destination. This shift from high-speed cruising to more varied road conditions is the main change you'll notice.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 203.8 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and US 27. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.5 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 28 significant decision points across 271.7 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 4.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 10.4 miles (US 19 / US Highway 19 North): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 69.3 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
39 ft6 ft
Total Climb
47 ft
Total Descent
71 ft
Highest Point
39 ft
~19.4 mi in
Elevation Range
33 ft
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 Clearwater, FL to Doral, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Bay along the way.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 12m. Total distance: 271.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 203.8 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.17 in tolls one way, starting with Sunshine Skyway Bridge. 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.
Yes — we found about 15 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Doral, 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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 15 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 10.4 miles (US 19 / US Highway 19 North): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 69.3 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — De Soto National Memorial and Biscayne National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Doral, FL before the return drive.
