Clearwater, FL to Miami Beach, FL is 286.8 miles and takes about 5h 31m via I 75 and I 275, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Florida for its entirety, offering a straightforward drive across the state. Most of the trip is on major highways, making it a relatively quick transit. With only one recommended stop and a mostly highway profile, it's designed for efficient travel. Consider this an easy, one-day trip if you're looking to get from the Gulf Coast to the Atlantic side of Florida without much fuss.
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
143.4 miles from Clearwater, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 45m 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
Florida's Turnpike
10.4 mi
12m
US Highway 19 North
10.1 mi
14m
Port Everglades Expressway
9 mi
10m
I 95
6.9 mi
8m
Drew Street
4.2 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 209.3 mi, about 3h 44m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 46 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 Miami Beach, 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
9.0 mi·10 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
0.1 mi·18 sec
Exit 8; 9A-BToward US 441: Orlando, Miami, Florida's TurnpikeUse the slight right lane.
19
Turn straight onto SR 84
0.4 mi·37 sec·SR 84
Toward SR 84 East, I 595 East, US 441: Florida's Turnpike, North Orlando, South Miami
20
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·46 sec
Exit 8Toward Florida's Turnpike, Miami South, Orlando NorthUse the straight / right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward Miami, Florida's TurnpikeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike South
23
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
10 mi·12 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I 95, US 441, SR 826 West
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 95, US 441
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward I 95 SouthUse the straight / slight left lanes.
27
Merge onto I 95
6.9 mi·8 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
463 ft·11 sec
Exit 4Toward I 195 East, SR 112 Toll West: Miami Beach, Miami International AirportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 195 East: Miami BeachUse the slight left lane.
30
Keep slight left at fork
293 ft·4 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Continue on I 195
3.3 mi·4 min·Julia Tuttle Causeway
32
Take the exit
0.3 mi·26 sec
Exit 5Toward SR 907: Alton Road
33
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward SR 907 South: Alton Road, Convention CenterUse the slight right lane.
34
Continue on SR 907
1.3 mi·3 min·Alton Road
Use the straight lane.
35
Turn left onto 17th Street
0.6 mi·1 min·17th Street
Use the left lane.
36
Turn right onto Washington Avenue
0.1 mi·15 sec·Washington Avenue
37
Turn left onto Lincoln Road
0.1 mi·33 sec·Lincoln Road
Use the left lane.
38
Arrive at destination
Lincoln Road
Trip Plan
To maximize daylight and minimize traffic, aim to depart from Clearwater in the early morning. Given the 5.5-hour drive time, this is comfortably a one-day trip, so you have flexibility in your schedule. The Sunshine Skyway Bridge is a notable part of the drive, so keep an eye on weather conditions, especially wind. With a fuel cost estimated at $48, it’s wise to fill up before leaving Clearwater or at one of the many service areas along I 75. Plan for your single stop to be around the halfway point to stretch your legs and grab a quick bite.
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 143.4 miles from Clearwater, FL, or about 2h 45m 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 63 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 143.4 miles or 2h 45m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Miami Beach, 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 286.8 miles and 5h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 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 33
5 decision points cluster between mile 250.6 and 284.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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...
8
259.6 mi into trip|~4h 51m in
Take the exit toward US 441: Orlando, Miami, Florida's Turnpike
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 8; 9A-B
Toward US 441: Orlando, Miami, Florida's Turnpi...
8
260.6 mi into trip|~4h 53m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike
8
279.9 mi into trip|~5h 18m in
Take the exit toward I 195 East, SR 112 Toll West: Miami Beach, Miami International Airport
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 4
Toward I 195 East, SR 112 Toll West: Miami Beac...
9
284.3 mi into trip|~5h 24m in
Keep slight right at fork toward SR 907 South: Alton Road, Convention Center
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward SR 907 South: Alton Road, Convention Cen...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.42 one way
$86.83 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg100 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$47.64
$95.28
premium
$4.55
$51.38
$102.75
diesel
$4.80
$54.15
$108.31
Estimated Tolls: $1.67
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
(13.4 mi)$0.94
Florida's Turnpike
(10.4 mi)$0.73
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
$43
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
86
1
$30.11
$13.77
Efficient EV
71.7
0
$25.10
$11.47
EV Truck/SUV
114.7
1
$40.15
$18.36
Gas CO2
100 kg
EV CO2
34 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Clearwater, FL
Morning
in Clearwater on Sunday
Local time
11:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
ENE 5 mph25% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 8:13PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 17 at 8:07PM EDT until July 17 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Destination
Miami Beach, FL
Morning
in Miami Beach on Sunday
Local time
11:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
S 7 to 12 mph26% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 8:13PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 17 at 8:07PM EDT until July 17 at 9:00PM 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
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
5h 31m 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...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 39.6
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...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 286.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on the highway for about 90% of this 286.8-mile trip. The longest continuous stretch of highway driving is 209.3 miles, primarily on I 75. You'll notice a high density of exits and merging traffic as you pass through urban areas and approach your destination. The transition from highway to surface streets will occur as you get closer to Miami Beach.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
38 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?
10/10
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 250.6 miles in near I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway.
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 33 significant decision points across 286.8 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 250.6 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 259.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 260.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
72 ft6 ft
Total Climb
63 ft
Total Descent
88 ft
Highest Point
72 ft
~20.5 mi in
Elevation Range
67 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Clearwater, FL and Miami Beach, FL, road signs point toward Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Florida's Turnpike, Orlando, Miami South and Orlando North - among others.
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
Miami Beach is a city in Florida. This small barrier island near Miami was originally cleared of mangroves in the late 1800s to make way for a coconut farm, and was later incorporated as a city by real estate developers in 1915. Miami Beach has been one of America's pre-eminent beach resorts for almost a century.
Top landmarks
•Fontainebleau Miami Beach — Iconic destination renowned for its luxurious accommodations situated on the Mia...
•Holocaust Memorial of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation — sculpture
•Miami Beach Architectural District — U.S. historic district in Miami Beach, Florida
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 31m. Total distance: 286.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 31m 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 209.3 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.67 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 Miami Beach, 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 250.6 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 259.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 260.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Miami Beach, FL before the return drive.
