Origin
Clearwater, FL
Morning in Clearwater on Tuesday
Local time
9:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Clearwater, FL to Saint Cloud, FL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 19m
Distance
108.1 mi
174 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 10m
★
6 AM
2h 19m
8 AM
2h 38m
10 AM
2h 26m
12 PM
2h 24m
3 PM
2h 27m
5 PM
2h 38m
8 PM
2h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clearwater, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Saint Cloud, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Clearwater, FL to Saint Cloud, FL is 108.1 miles and takes about 2h 19m via I 4, with a fuel budget near $17 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, connecting two points in the central part of the state. The majority of this route is on the interstate, making it a straightforward drive for those who prefer to cover ground efficiently. You'll likely find this a practical option for a quick day trip or a connection to another destination without extensive sightseeing.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
54.1 miles from Clearwater, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 10m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 4 | 60.9 mi | 1h 6m |
| Courtney Campbell Causeway | 8.2 mi | 10m |
| Osceola Parkway | 7.1 mi | 10m |
| I 275 | 5.2 mi | 7m |
| Drew Street | 4.2 mi | 8m |
| Southern Connector Extension | 4.2 mi | 5m |
| Florida's Turnpike | 3.5 mi | 3m |
| Bronson Highway | 3.4 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
I 4
— 60.9 mi, about 1h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clearwater, FL and Saint Cloud, 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
61 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
16 sec
Exit 62
Toward FL 417 North: Airport, Disney World, Celebration
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on FL 417 Toll
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Southern Connector Extension
Toward FL 417 North: Airport, Disney World
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Exit 3
Toward Osceola Parkway, Gaylord Convention Center
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn right onto CR 522
7.1 mi
·
10 min
·
Osceola Parkway
Use the left lane.
20
Continue on CR 522
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
East Osceola Parkway
Use the left lane.
21
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike Toll South
22
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
3.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Florida's Turnpike
23
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 244
Toward US 192, US 441: Kissimmee, Saint Cloud
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork
177 ft
·
6 sec
Toward US 192 East, US 441 South: Saint. Cloud, Orlando Health Saint Cloud Hospital
25
Turn left onto US 192; US 441
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Bronson Highway
Use the left lane.
26
Continue on US 192; US 441
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
East Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway
27
Continue on US 192; US 441
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
13th Street
28
Take the exit
227 ft
·
9 sec
29
Turn left onto Florida Avenue
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Florida Avenue
30
Turn right onto 10th Street
22 ft
·
0 sec
·
10th Street
31
Arrive at destination
10th Street
Trip Plan
Given this is a relatively short drive of under 2.5 hours, you can easily complete it in a single day. Leaving in the morning will give you ample time to arrive and settle in, or explore your destination without feeling rushed. The longest stretch on I 4 is over 60 miles, so plan for a fuel stop before you begin if your tank is low, as service areas can be spread out. Keep an eye on traffic, especially as you approach the Orlando metropolitan area, as congestion can add to your travel time.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 54.1 miles from Clearwater, FL, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60.9 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 24 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 54.1 miles or 1h 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint Cloud, 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 108.1 miles and 2h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Clearwater, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 4 for about 60.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
54 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 54.1 miles from Clearwater, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 4 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 60.9 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 225 decision points cluster between mile 15.9 and 102 — 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
9
84.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 43m in
Keep slight right at fork toward FL 417 North: Airport, Disney World, Celebration
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 62
Toward FL 417 North: Airport, Disney World, Cel...
8
89.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 49m in
Take the exit toward Osceola Parkway, Gaylord Convention Center
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 3
Toward Osceola Parkway, Gaylord Convention Cent...
8
102 mi into trip
|
~2h 8m in
Take the exit toward US 192, US 441: Kissimmee, Saint Cloud
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 244
Toward US 192, US 441: Kissimmee, Saint Cloud
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.21 one way
$34.41 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
38 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $18.72 | $37.43 |
| premium | $4.72 | $20.10 | $40.20 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $23.87 | $47.73 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.25
Florida's Turnpike
(3.5 mi)
$0.25
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
$17
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 32.4 | 0 | $11.35 | $5.19 |
| Efficient EV | 27 | 0 | $9.46 | $4.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 43.2 | 0 | $15.13 | $6.92 |
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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.
Destination
Saint Cloud, FL
Morning in Saint Cloud on Tuesday
Local time
9:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Unavailable
Live 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
10 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
2h 19m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 74% of the 108.1 miles on interstates and major roads like I 4. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 60.9 miles on I 4, so expect sustained cruising. The transition from highway to surface roads will likely occur around the 28 miles mark, where you'll notice a change in the traffic flow and exit density as you approach your destination.
74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 60.9 mi on I 4.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 4 and Courtney Campbell Causeway. 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 22 significant decision points across 108.1 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 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 84.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
217 ft
6 ft
Total Climb
229 ft
Total Descent
183 ft
Highest Point
217 ft
~54.1 mi in
Elevation Range
212 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Saint Cloud, FL, road signs point toward St. Petersburg, Disney World, Celebration, Gaylord Convention Center, Miami and Florida's Turnpike Toll South - among others.
St. Petersburg
16.6 mi in
|
~26m
|
via FL 60
Disney World
84.7 mi in
|
~1h 43m
Celebration
84.7 mi in
|
~1h 43m
Gaylord Convention Center
89.1 mi in
|
~1h 49m
Miami
98 mi in
|
~2h 3m
Florida's Turnpike Toll South
98 mi in
|
~2h 3m
Us 441: Kissimmee
102 mi in
|
~2h 8m
Saint Cloud
102 mi in
|
~2h 8m
Orlando Health Saint Cloud Hospital
102.5 mi in
|
~2h 9m
About the Cities
Starting in Clearwater, FL
Full guide →Founded 1891
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
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 2h 19m. Total distance: 108.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 60.9 miles on I 4. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.25 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.
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 Saint Cloud, 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. 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 84.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Saint Cloud, FL before heading back.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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