Traveling from Clearwater to Jacksonville covers 221.2 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 42 minutes behind the wheel. Because this journey is manageable in a single day, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $36 on fuel for the trip, making it a relatively budget-friendly excursion within Florida. You will navigate primarily via local thoroughfares like Drew Street, Southbound Frontage Road, and Gulf to Bay Boulevard. Since this route avoids major highways entirely, it offers a different pace than typical interstate travel. Use this route if you prefer a direct, local connection between these two coastal regions.
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
110.5 miles from Clearwater, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 12m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
82.3 mi
1h 28m
US 301
75.9 mi
1h 34m
I 275
21.4 mi
26m
I 10
16.8 mi
19m
Courtney Campbell Causeway
8.2 mi
10m
Drew Street
4.2 mi
8m
Gulf to Bay Boulevard
1.9 mi
3m
FL 60
1.5 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 82.3 mi, about 1h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clearwater, FL and Jacksonville, 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
0.4 mi·49 sec·Southbound Frontage Road
5
Continue on this road
376 ft·7 sec·this road
6
Take the exit
233 ft·6 sec
Use the left lane.
7
Merge onto FL 60
1.9 mi·3 min·Gulf to Bay Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on FL 60
8.2 mi·10 min·Courtney Campbell Causeway
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on FL 60
0.8 mi·1 min·FL 60
Use the straight lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto FL 60
0.7 mi·59 sec·FL 60
Toward FL 60 East, FL 616: Tampa International Airport, Spruce StreetUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 60
1.4 mi·2 min·Memorial Highway
Toward FL 60: Tampa, St. PetersburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward I 275 North: TampaUse the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 275
21 mi·26 min·I 275
Toward I 275: TampaUse the straight lane.
14
Merge onto I 75
82 mi·1 hr 28 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 358Toward FL 326Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn slight right
144 ft·4 sec
17
Turn slight right onto FL 326
1.1 mi·1 min·FL 326
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Continue on FL 326
1.5 mi·2 min·Northwest 70th Street
19
Turn left onto US 301; US 441
5.5 mi·6 min·US 301; US 441
Use the left lane.
20
Turn straight onto US 301
52 mi·1 hr 5 min·US 301
Toward North US 301: StarkeUse the straight lane.
21
Continue on US 301
18 mi·22 min·US 301
22
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 10 East: Jacksonville
23
Merge onto I 10
17 mi·19 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.4 mi·33 sec
Toward I 95 South: Jacksonville Beaches, Daytona Beach
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·56 sec
Toward I 95 North: International Airport, SavannahUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
26
Merge onto I 95
0.7 mi·1 min·I 95
27
Take the exit onto US 17; FL 228
0.2 mi·26 sec·US 17; FL 228
Exit 353BToward Union Street, Beaver Street
28
Turn straight onto US 17; US 23; FL 228
0.7 mi·1 min·Union Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
29
Arrive at destination
US 17
Trip Plan
Given the local nature of this 221.2-mile journey, plan your departure early to account for the frequent turns and navigating through town centers. Since the route involves heavy local road use, try to time your drive to avoid peak morning or evening traffic congestion in the areas you pass through. You only need to plan for one major stop to keep your energy up over the 3-hour and 42-minute duration. Keep your $36 fuel budget in mind when planning your refueling stops, as local roads may offer different gas station accessibility than interstates. A helpful tip is to rely on a reliable GPS system to manage the constant turns along Drew Street and Gulf to Bay Boulevard.
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 110.5 miles from Clearwater, FL, or about 2h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.3 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 49 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.5 miles or 2h 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jacksonville, 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 221.1 miles and 4h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 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 82.3 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.9 and 218.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
4.9 mi into trip|~9m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
15.9 mi into trip|~25m in|FL 60
Keep slight right at fork onto FL 60 toward FL 60 East, FL 616: Tampa International Airport, Spruce Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward FL 60 East, FL 616: Tampa International...
8
16.6 mi into trip|~26m in|FL 60 / Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 60 / Memorial Highway toward FL 60: Tampa, St. Petersburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward FL 60: Tampa, St. Petersburg
7
121.9 mi into trip|~2h 24m in
Take the exit toward FL 326
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 358
Toward FL 326
8
218.8 mi into trip|~4h 25m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: International Airport, Savannah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 North: International Airport, Savan...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.19 one way
$70.39 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg77 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$38.28
$76.57
premium
$4.72
$41.11
$82.22
diesel
$5.61
$48.82
$97.63
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66.3
0
$23.22
$10.61
Efficient EV
55.3
0
$19.35
$8.84
EV Truck/SUV
88.4
1
$30.95
$14.15
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% 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 Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Clearwater, FL
Late night
in Clearwater on Sunday
Local time
3:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Jacksonville, FL
Late night
in Jacksonville on Sunday
Local time
3:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Sunny
SW 5 to 8 mph0% chanceLive 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
23 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
4h 30m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate experience, as this route features 0% highway travel. You will navigate through varied local road segments, meaning there is no single long, uninterrupted stretch; in fact, the longest stretch on Drew Street is 0 miles. Because the route relies on surface streets, you should prepare for constant maneuvering and frequent turns. The character of this drive is defined by its focus on local connectivity, requiring more driver attention than a cruise-controlled highway trip. It is a practical, ground-level way to traverse the distance between Clearwater and Jacksonville.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 82.3 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 301. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.9 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 21 significant decision points across 221.1 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 4.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.9 miles (FL 60): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.6 miles (FL 60 / Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Clearwater, FL to Jacksonville, FL, road signs begin pointing toward St. Petersburg 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.
Jacksonville occupies one of the most coveted spots on the Atlantic coast. Set amongst abundant beaches and possessing an ideal subtropical climate, its crown jewel is the unique habitat and natural beauty of the St. Johns River. For this reason and more, "The River City" is a popular destination for vacationers looking for a laid-back Sunshine State escape.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 30m. Total distance: 221.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 82.3 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Jacksonville, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.9 miles (FL 60): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.6 miles (FL 60 / Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Jacksonville, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
