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Trip from Clearwater, FL to Royal Palm Beach, FL

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 42m

Distance

229.3 mi

369 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$37

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 29m ★
6 AM
4h 42m
8 AM
5h 9m
10 AM
4h 52m
12 PM
4h 49m
3 PM
4h 53m
5 PM
5h 8m
8 PM
4h 34m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

county seat of Pinellas County, Florida, United States

Clearwater, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Royal Palm Beach, FL, FL

Royal Palm Beach, FL

DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ

Trip Overview

Clearwater, FL to Royal Palm Beach, FL is 229.3 miles and takes about 4h 42m via Florida's Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, moving from the Gulf Coast region towards the Atlantic side. It's a pretty straightforward drive, primarily on major highways, making it a solid choice if you want to get from point A to point B efficiently. Plan for a day trip; the 4h 42m estimated drive time allows for a comfortable journey without needing an overnight stay, and the fuel cost is quite reasonable.

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

114.7 miles from Clearwater, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 30m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Florida's Turnpike 92.6 mi 1h 39m
FL 60 63.2 mi 1h 21m
I 4 25.8 mi 28m
Polk Parkway 9.4 mi 10m
Courtney Campbell Causeway 8.2 mi 10m
Bartow Road 6.9 mi 9m
Okeechobee Boulevard 5.8 mi 9m
I 275 5.2 mi 7m
Longest stretch: Florida's Turnpike — 92.6 mi, about 1h 39m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Clearwater, FL and Royal Palm 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

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 Street Use 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. Petersburg Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 45 sec
Toward I 275 North: Tampa Use the slight right lane.
13

Merge onto I 275

5.2 mi · 7 min · I 275
Toward I 275: Tampa Use the straight lane.
14

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 42 sec
Exit 45B Toward I 4 East: Orlando Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
15

Continue on I 4

26 mi · 28 min · I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 55 sec
Exit 27 Toward FL 570 Toll East: Lakeland, Winter Haven Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Continue on FL 570 Toll

9.4 mi · 10 min · Polk Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 56 sec
Exit 10 Toward US 98: Lakeland, Bartow Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Turn right onto US 98

6.9 mi · 9 min · Bartow Road
Use the right lane.
20

Continue on US 98

0.6 mi · 1 min · Broadway Avenue
21

Turn left onto US 98; FL 60

0.5 mi · 1 min · Van Fleet Drive
Use the left lane.
22

Continue on FL 60

0.3 mi · 26 sec · FL 60
23

Continue on FL 60

11 mi · 13 min · FL 60
Use the straight lane.
24

Continue on FL 60

4.3 mi · 5 min · FL 60
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

Continue on FL 60

46 mi · 59 min · FL 60
Use the left lane.
26

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 19 sec
Use the left lane.
27

Continue on this road

295 ft · 7 sec · this road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Toward Florida's Turnpike South: Miami Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29

Merge onto Florida's Turnpike

93 mi · 1 hr 39 min · Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Exit 99 Toward FL 704: Okeechobee Boulevard Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31

Turn right onto FL 704

5.8 mi · 9 min · Okeechobee Boulevard
Use the left lane.
32

Turn right onto Royal Palm Beach Boulevard

0.1 mi · 23 sec · Royal Palm Beach Boulevard
Use the right lane.
33

Turn left

182 ft · 15 sec
34

Turn right

158 ft · 16 sec
35

Turn left

328 ft · 23 sec
36

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the 4h 42m duration and 229.3-mile length, starting your drive in the morning will give you ample time to arrive before evening. With only one recommended stop and a highway-focused profile, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before the longest stretch of 92.6 miles on Florida's Turnpike, as services can sometimes be spaced out on toll roads. A good strategy is to refuel before you begin the longest segment of your drive to ensure a smooth continuation.

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 114.7 miles from Clearwater, FL, or about 2h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 92.6 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 50 miles or 1h 6m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 114.7 miles or 2h 30m 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 52m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Royal Palm 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 229.3 miles and 4h 42m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 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 Florida's Turnpike for about 92.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Polk County, Florida, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Eagle Lake, FL

115 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Lakeland, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 50 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Eagle Lake, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 114.7 miles from Clearwater, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Florida's Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 92.6 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Southie Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Clearwater, Florida

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+17276213888

Visit website

Yacht StarShip Cruises & Events

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Clearwater, Florida

1.7 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Lake Wales Latte Lounge Coffee and Bookshop

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lake Wales, Florida

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 81.9

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+18632968827

Visit website

Yummies Coffee

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Clearwater, Florida

2.6 mi

Southie Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Clearwater, Florida

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+17276213888

Visit website

Yacht StarShip Cruises & Events

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour Moderately

Clearwater, Florida

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+18132237999

Visit website

The Coffee Mill

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour Inexpensiv

Largo, Florida

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+17272238595

Visit website

Lake Wales Latte Lounge Coffee and Bookshop

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 81.9

Lake Wales, Florida

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+18632968827

Visit website

Yummies Coffee

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10

Clearwater, Florida

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+18135497426

Visit website

Belleair Coffee Company & Roastery

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Belleair Bluffs, Florida

Hours: 6:30 am–6:30 pm

+17275011010

Visit website

The Lab Coffee - West Tampa

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 16.4

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

Visit website

Coffee Uniting People - CUP

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 16.4

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+18134001110

Visit website

Kafe Tirona

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10

Largo, Florida

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+17274668532

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour

Clearwater, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Ionna Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

Largo, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18334662474

Visit website

bp pulse Charging Station

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Clearwater, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18332778573

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Clearwater, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

2.4 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour

Clearwater, Florida

+19549249779

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route

Clearwater, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route

Clearwater, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour

Largo, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

Clearwater Marine Aquarium

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Clearwater, Florida

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+17274411790

Visit website

Escape Room PSL

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 180.2

Port St. Lucie, Florida

Hours: 4–10:30 pm

+17726266655

Visit website

Cracker Country

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 32.8

Tampa, Florida

+18136274225

Visit website

Indian Creek Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 212.9

Jupiter, Florida

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+15617412400

Visit website

Cliff Stephens Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour

Clearwater, Florida

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+17275624800

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 24

5 decision points cluster between mile 15.9 and 129.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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
8
49.6 mi into trip | ~1h 5m in

Take the exit toward FL 570 Toll East: Lakeland, Winter Haven

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 27 Toward FL 570 Toll East: Lakeland, Winter Haven
8
59.4 mi into trip | ~1h 17m in

Take the exit toward US 98: Lakeland, Bartow

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 10 Toward US 98: Lakeland, Bartow
8
129.8 mi into trip | ~2h 50m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Florida's Turnpike South: Miami

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Florida's Turnpike South: Miami

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$36.50 one way

$73.00 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 80 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.40 $39.70 $79.41
premium $4.72 $42.64 $85.27
diesel $5.61 $50.63 $101.25

Estimated Tolls: $6.48

Florida's Turnpike (92.6 mi) $6.48

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

$37

Tolls

$6

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$68–$93

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 80.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 68.8 0 $24.08 $11.01
Efficient EV 57.3 0 $20.06 $9.17
EV Truck/SUV 91.7 1 $32.10 $14.68

Gas CO2

80 kg

EV CO2

27 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 15, 2026

Origin

Clearwater, FL

Late night in Clearwater on Sunday

Local time

12:26 AM

EDT

Current temp

67°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Royal Palm Beach, FL

Late night in Royal Palm Beach on Sunday

Local time

12:26 AM

EDT

Current temp

78°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

62°F

Eagle Lake, FL

115 mi in

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

11 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 42m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This is a highway-focused drive, with 86% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on Florida's Turnpike, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 92.6 miles. The profile suggests a consistent, fast-paced journey, ideal for covering distance quickly. While the majority is highway, expect some transitions as you navigate between I-4 and FL 60 before reaching the Turnpike. The drive is designed for efficiency rather than scenic detours.

86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 92.6 mi on Florida's Turnpike.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and FL 60. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 15.9 miles in near FL 60.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 24 significant decision points across 229.3 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 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; at 49.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.

Between Clearwater, FL and Royal Palm Beach, FL, road signs point toward St. Petersburg, Winter Haven, Bartow and Florida's Turnpike South: Miami.

St. Petersburg

16.6 mi in | ~26m | via FL 60

Winter Haven

49.6 mi in | ~1h 5m

Bartow

59.4 mi in | ~1h 17m

Florida's Turnpike South: Miami

129.8 mi in | ~2h 50m

About the Cities

Starting in Clearwater, FL

Full guide →

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.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 42m. Total distance: 229.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 92.6 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $6.48 in tolls one way, starting with Florida's Turnpike. 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.

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 Royal Palm 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: 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; at 49.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Royal Palm Beach, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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