Clearwater, FL to Gonzalez, FL is 439.5 miles and takes about 8h 57m via I 10, US 19, and Florida Georgia Parkway, with a fuel budget near $76 and an overnight stay recommended. This trip stays within Florida, taking you from the Gulf Coast inland. With a recommended two days for this drive, you'll have ample time to break up the driving and enjoy the journey without feeling rushed. It's a straightforward trip for anyone looking to cover ground efficiently.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
219.7 miles from Clearwater, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
214.1 mi
3h 50m
US 19
206.7 mi
4h 34m
Florida Georgia Parkway
4.8 mi
6m
Pensacola Boulevard
3.9 mi
6m
Sunset Point Road
2.6 mi
4m
North Belcher Road
1.1 mi
1m
North Fort Harrison Avenue
1.1 mi
2m
South Highway 29
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 214.1 mi, about 3h 50m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 26 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,659 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,024
Quietest
2 AM
~158 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.5×
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 Gonzalez, FL.
1
Start on North Fort Harrison Avenue
1.1 mi·2 min·North Fort Harrison Avenue
2
Turn right onto Marshall Street
0.2 mi·26 sec·Marshall Street
3
Continue on Marshall Street
118 ft·2 sec·Marshall Street
4
Continue on Fulton Avenue
0.1 mi·12 sec·Fulton Avenue
5
Enter roundabout onto Fairmont Street
32 ft·0 sec·Fairmont Street
6
Continue on Fairmont Street
0.2 mi·24 sec·Fairmont Street
7
Continue on Douglas Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·Douglas Avenue
8
Turn right onto CR 576
2.6 mi·4 min·Sunset Point Road
9
Turn left onto CR 501
1.1 mi·1 min·North Belcher Road
10
Keep slight right at fork onto Countryside Boulevard
0.8 mi·1 min·Countryside Boulevard
11
Turn left onto US 19 Northbound Frontage Road
0.5 mi·59 sec·US 19 Northbound Frontage Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
12
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward US 19 North
13
Merge onto US 19
207 mi·4 hr 34 min·US 19
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on US 19
4.8 mi·6 min·Florida Georgia Parkway
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·57 sec
Toward I 10 West: Tallahassee
16
Merge onto I 10
214 mi·3 hr 50 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·15 sec
Exit 10Toward US 29: Pensacola, Cantonment, Use the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward US 29 North: Cantonment, Pensacola Boulevard
19
Turn straight onto US 29
3.9 mi·6 min·Pensacola Boulevard
20
Continue on US 29
1.0 mi·1 min·South Highway 29
21
Turn sharp right onto Tate School Road
124 ft·9 sec·Tate School Road
22
Turn left onto CR 95A
0.3 mi·27 sec·North Palafox Road
23
Turn right onto CR 749
0.2 mi·30 sec·Old Chemstrand Road
24
Turn right onto 3rd Avenue
82 ft·3 sec·3rd Avenue
25
Arrive at destination
3rd Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 8h 57m drive time, splitting this into two days is the best approach. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight for your first leg. With two recommended stops, plan to cover roughly half the distance on day one, leaving you with a shorter, more relaxed drive on day two. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 214.1-mile stretch on I 10, as services can be spaced out on longer highway segments. The fuel cost estimate of $76 should help you budget accordingly.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 219.7 miles from Clearwater, FL, or about 4h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 214.1 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 97 miles or 2h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 219.7 miles or 4h 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 219.7 miles or 4h 56m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gonzalez, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Clearwater, FL
Aim for roughly 220 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Gonzalez, FL
Aim for roughly 220 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 97 miles from Clearwater, FL.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 10 for about 214.1 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.4 and 433.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.4 mi into trip|~3m in|Fairmont Street
Enter roundabout onto Fairmont Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
6.7 mi into trip|~13m in|US 19 Northbound Frontage Road
Turn left onto US 19 Northbound Frontage Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
7.5 mi into trip|~14m in|US 19
Merge onto US 19
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
433.5 mi into trip|~8h 46m in
Take the exit toward US 29: Pensacola, Cantonment,
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 10
Toward US 29: Pensacola, Cantonment,
6
433.7 mi into trip|~8h 46m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 29 North: Cantonment, Pensacola Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 29 North: Cantonment, Pensacola Boule...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$66.53 one way
$133.06 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg154 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$73.00
$146.00
premium
$4.55
$78.73
$157.46
diesel
$4.80
$82.99
$165.97
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$67
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$197–$307
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 153.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $46 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
131.9
1
$46.15
$21.10
Efficient EV
109.9
1
$38.46
$17.58
EV Truck/SUV
175.8
2
$61.53
$28.13
Gas CO2
154 kg
EV CO2
51 kg (67% 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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Clearwater, FL
Morning
in Clearwater on Sunday
Local time
7:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 9 mph62% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 19 at 4:11AM EDT until July 20 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 19 at 3:44AM EDT until July 22 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Destination
Gonzalez, FL
Morning
in Gonzalez on Sunday
Local time
6:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
0 mph28% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 19 at 4:11AM EDT until July 20 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 19 at 3:44AM EDT until July 22 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
Time zone
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
2 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
8h 57m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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.
Gulf Islands National Seashore
National Seashore
Millions of visitors are drawn to the Gulf of America for Gulf Islands National Seashore's emerald coast waters, magnificent white beaches, fertile marshes and historical landscapes. Come explore with...
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
$25
near mile 424.3
Park Closure: Fort Pickens Campground Restroom A Loop Closure
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is almost entirely highway, with 97% of the drive on major roads. You'll spend most of your time on I 10, experiencing a long stretch of 214.1 miles. Expect numerous exits as you navigate these high-speed corridors. The transition to surface roads will occur late in the trip, offering a change of pace before you arrive in Gonzalez.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 214.1 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and US 19. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in near Fairmont Street.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 439.5 miles you will encounter 16 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 1.4 miles (Fairmont Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 6.7 miles (US 19 Northbound Frontage Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.5 miles (US 19): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
188 ft10 ft
Total Climb
366 ft
Total Descent
241 ft
Highest Point
188 ft
~219.7 mi in
Elevation Range
178 ft
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
8h 57m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 214.1 miles on I 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 220 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 31 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 Gonzalez, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 31 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles (Fairmont Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 6.7 miles (US 19 Northbound Frontage Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.5 miles (US 19): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Gulf Islands National Seashore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 9.0 hours each way, a round trip means 17.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Gonzalez, FL before the return drive.
