Clearwater to Fort Lauderdale is 267.3 miles and takes about 5h 5m via I 75 and I 275, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, taking you from the Gulf Coast across the state to the Atlantic. With a high percentage of highway driving, this route is designed for efficient travel. Plan for a straightforward drive that gets you to your destination quickly.
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
133.7 miles from Clearwater, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 35m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
209.3 mi
3h 44m
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
13.4 mi
15m
I 275
11.2 mi
14m
Port Everglades Expressway
10.1 mi
11m
US Highway 19 North
10.1 mi
14m
Drew Street
4.2 mi
8m
SR 84
2.2 mi
3m
Marina Boulevard
1.6 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 209.3 mi, about 3h 44m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 92 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,826 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,424
Quietest
2 AM
~185 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Fort Lauderdale, 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
181 mi·3 hr 14 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 595
10 mi·11 min·Port Everglades Expressway
Exit 19Toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Springs, Fort LauderdaleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 9CToward SR 84 East: Marina Mile BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn straight onto SR 84
0.2 mi·18 sec·SR 84
Toward I 595 East, SR 84 East
20
Keep slight left at fork onto SR 84
2.0 mi·3 min·SR 84
Toward SR 84 East
21
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 84
1.6 mi·3 min·Marina Boulevard
Toward SR 84 East: Marina Mile BoulevardUse the right lane.
22
Turn left onto Southwest 4th Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Southwest 4th Avenue
Use the left lane.
23
Turn right onto Southwest 17th Street
0.3 mi·33 sec·Southwest 17th Street
24
Continue on Southeast 17th Street
0.1 mi·25 sec·Southeast 17th Street
25
Turn left onto Southeast 3rd Avenue
1.5 mi·3 min·Southeast 3rd Avenue
Use the straight lane.
26
Turn left onto SR 842
0.2 mi·35 sec·East Broward Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
27
Arrive at destination
SR 842
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour drive, consider leaving early in the morning to avoid potential traffic. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility, but aim to complete the longest stretch on I 75 before needing a break. The Sunshine Skyway Bridge is a notable segment of this route, so check any specific advisories for that crossing. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $43 for the 267.3 miles.
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 133.7 miles from Clearwater, FL, or about 2h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 209.3 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 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.7 miles or 2h 35m 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 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fort Lauderdale, 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 267.3 miles and 5h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 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 209.3 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 10.4 and 263.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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.
9
250.6 mi into trip|~4h 40m in|I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 19
Toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Spr...
7
260.7 mi into trip|~4h 52m in
Take the exit toward SR 84 East: Marina Mile Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 9C
Toward SR 84 East: Marina Mile Boulevard
7
263.1 mi into trip|~4h 57m in|SR 84 / Marina Boulevard
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 84 / Marina Boulevard toward SR 84 East: Marina Mile Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward SR 84 East: Marina Mile Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.46 one way
$80.93 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg94 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$44.40
$88.80
premium
$4.55
$47.88
$95.76
diesel
$4.80
$50.47
$100.94
Estimated Tolls: $0.94
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
(13.4 mi)$0.94
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
$40
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.2
0
$28.07
$12.83
Efficient EV
66.8
0
$23.39
$10.69
EV Truck/SUV
106.9
1
$37.42
$17.11
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Clearwater, FL
Late night
in Clearwater on Monday
Local time
3:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 5 mph19% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 17 at 3:45AM EDT until July 18 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Destination
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Late night
in Fort Lauderdale on Monday
Local time
3:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Partly Cloudy
S 6 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 17 at 3:45AM EDT until July 18 at 4:00AM 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
3 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 5m 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
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 36.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily on highways, with 91% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 209.3 miles on I 75 before transitioning to other main roads. Expect numerous exits and merges typical of high-speed interstate travel for most of the trip.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 209.3 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 10.4 miles in near US 19 / US Highway 19 North.
Driving Effort9/10
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 23 significant decision points across 267.3 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 10.4 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; at 250.6 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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
Fort Lauderdale is a coastal city on the Atlantic Ocean in the US state of Florida. It is known as the "Venice of America" due to its expansive canal system. Situated in Broward County in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale metro area, the city's population is over 180,000 (2021).
The city is most famous for its beaches and boats, and while the city of Fort Lauderdale is relatively small in area, the term 'Fort Lauderdale' is often used to refer to the larger metropolis that has grown up around it. It is the county seat for Broward county, and is part of the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach metropolitan area, which has over 6.1 million people (2019).
Top landmarks
•Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale — art museum in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA
•Bryan Building — building in Florida, United States
•North Woodlawn Cemetery — cemetery in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 5m. Total distance: 267.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 5m 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 209.3 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.94 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 Fort Lauderdale, 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 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; at 250.6 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — De Soto National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Fort Lauderdale, FL before the return drive.
