Clearwater to Pinewood is 277.1 miles and takes about 5h 14m via I-75 and Sunshine Skyway Bridge, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Florida, moving you from one part of the state to another. With 90% of the trip on highways, expect a straightforward and efficient route, making it a good option if you're looking to cover ground quickly. It's a single-day trip, so you can plan for a relatively early start and arrive in Pinewood with plenty of the day left.
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
138.6 miles from Clearwater, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 40m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
223.5 mi
3h 59m
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
13.4 mi
15m
I 275
11.2 mi
14m
US Highway 19 North
10.1 mi
14m
Gratigny Parkway
5 mi
6m
Drew Street
4.2 mi
8m
Express Lanes
3 mi
3m
Northwest 103rd Street
1.7 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 223.5 mi, about 3h 59m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 124 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,628 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,277
Quietest
2 AM
~215 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.9×
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 Pinewood, 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 left at fork onto I 75
3.3 mi·3 min·I 75
Toward MiamiUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 75
7.2 mi·7 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi·28 sec
Toward Express LanesUse the slight left lane.
20
Merge onto Express Lanes
3.0 mi·3 min·Express Lanes
21
Take the exit
0.5 mi·31 sec
Toward Northwest 138th StreetUse the slight right lane.
22
Merge onto I 75
3.7 mi·4 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on SR 924 Toll
5.0 mi·6 min·Gratigny Parkway
24
Continue on SR 924
0.8 mi·1 min·Northwest 119th Street
Use the left lane.
25
Turn right onto SR 9
1.0 mi·1 min·Northwest 27th Avenue
Use the right lane.
26
Turn left onto SR 932
1.7 mi·3 min·Northwest 103rd Street
Use the left lane.
27
Continue on SR 932
372 ft·14 sec·Northwest 103rd Street
Use the left lane.
28
Arrive at destination
SR 932
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 14m estimated drive time, you can comfortably complete this trip in a single day. Aim to depart Clearwater in the morning to maximize your daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 223.5 miles on I-75, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly before you hit that segment. With a fuel cost estimated around $48, filling up before you leave Clearwater is a good idea. This route's highway-heavy nature means you won't need to worry about extensive time on slower surface roads.
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 138.6 miles from Clearwater, FL, or about 2h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 223.5 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 61 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 138.6 miles or 2h 40m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pinewood, 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 277.1 miles and 5h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 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 223.5 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 261.1 — 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.
7
250.6 mi into trip|~4h 40m in|I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward Miami
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Miami
6
253.9 mi into trip|~4h 44m in|I 75
Keep slight right at fork onto I 75
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
261.1 mi into trip|~4h 52m in
Take the exit toward Express Lanes
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Express Lanes
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.95 one way
$83.89 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg97 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$46.03
$92.05
premium
$4.55
$49.64
$99.28
diesel
$4.80
$52.32
$104.64
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
$42
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
83.1
1
$29.10
$13.30
Efficient EV
69.3
0
$24.25
$11.08
EV Truck/SUV
110.8
1
$38.79
$17.73
Gas CO2
97 kg
EV CO2
32 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 18, 2026
Origin
Clearwater, FL
Late night
in Clearwater on Monday
Local time
2:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
E 3 mph25% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 10:02PM CDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
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
Pinewood, FL
Late night
in Pinewood on Monday
Local time
2:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Partly Cloudy
S 2 to 6 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 10:02PM CDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
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 14m 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...
7 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 38.2
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...
26 mi from route
~65 min detour
Free
near mile 277.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is heavily focused on highway driving, with 90% of the 277.1 miles spent on major roads like I-75 and I-275. You'll experience a significant stretch of 223.5 miles on I-75, offering a consistent cruising experience. Surface roads will likely come into play closer to your destination in Pinewood. Expect a steady pace with fewer interruptions on this predominantly highway profile.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 223.5 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 10.4 miles in near US 19 / US Highway 19 North.
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 23 significant decision points across 277.1 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 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 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
49 ft8 ft
Total Climb
42 ft
Total Descent
64 ft
Highest Point
49 ft
~59.4 mi in
Elevation Range
41 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 Pinewood, FL, road signs point toward Miami and Express Lanes.
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 14m. Total distance: 277.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 14m 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 223.5 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 Pinewood, 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 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 10.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Pinewood, FL before the return drive.
