Spanning 114.7 miles, this route from Clearwater to Tavares is a straightforward journey through Florida that typically takes about 2 hours and 32 minutes. Because of the manageable distance and duration, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations. Expect to spend roughly $19 on fuel for the trip, making it a budget-friendly option for your weekend plans. You will transition from the coastal region of Clearwater into the inland landscape of Tavares, providing a clear change in scenery. Whether you are heading out for business or a change of pace, this drive offers a reliable link between the two areas.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
57.3 miles from Clearwater, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 4
37.1 mi
40m
Commonwealth Avenue North
21.3 mi
27m
Howey Road
13.3 mi
19m
Commonwealth Avenue
11.3 mi
15m
Courtney Campbell Causeway
8.2 mi
10m
FL 19
6.5 mi
9m
I 275
5.2 mi
7m
Drew Street
4.2 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
I 4
— 37.1 mi, about 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clearwater, FL and Tavares, 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
5.2 mi·7 min·I 275
Toward I 275: TampaUse the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.5 mi·42 sec
Exit 45BToward I 4 East: OrlandoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 4
37 mi·40 min·I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Exit 38Toward FL 33: Polk CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn left onto FL 33
373 ft·5 sec·Lakeland Hills Boulevard
18
Continue on FL 33
11 mi·15 min·Commonwealth Avenue
19
Enter roundabout onto FL 33
131 ft·2 sec·Commonwealth Avenue North
20
Continue on FL 33
21 mi·27 min·Commonwealth Avenue North
21
Turn left onto FL 50; FL 33
0.3 mi·54 sec·Broad Street
22
Turn right onto FL 19
13 mi·19 min·Howey Road
Use the left lane.
23
Turn right onto FL 19
6.5 mi·9 min·FL 19
Use the left lane.
24
Turn right onto CR Old 441
0.7 mi·1 min·West Alfred Street
25
Arrive at destination
CR Old 441
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule, though planning for one stop will help you break up the 2.5-hour duration comfortably. Leaving during off-peak hours is a smart move to avoid the congestion often associated with the I-4 portion of the journey. Given the fuel cost of $19, topping off your tank before you leave Clearwater ensures you won't have to hunt for a station during the more rural stretches of the drive. Keep a close eye on your navigation as you transition onto Howey Road, as this local connection is a key part of the final leg of your trip. Prioritizing a steady pace will keep your fuel efficiency consistent across the various road types you will encounter.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 57.3 miles from Clearwater, FL, or about 1h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37.1 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 25 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.3 miles or 1h 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tavares, 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 114.7 miles and 2h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 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 4 for about 37.1 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.9 and 60.9 — 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
23.3 mi into trip|~36m in
Take the exit toward I 4 East: Orlando
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 45B
Toward I 4 East: Orlando
7
60.9 mi into trip|~1h 17m in
Take the exit toward FL 33: Polk City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 38
Toward FL 33: Polk City
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.26 one way
$36.51 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg40 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$19.86
$39.72
premium
$4.72
$21.33
$42.66
diesel
$5.61
$25.32
$50.65
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.4
0
$12.04
$5.51
Efficient EV
28.7
0
$10.04
$4.59
EV Truck/SUV
45.9
0
$16.06
$7.34
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (68% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Clearwater, FL
Late night
in Clearwater on Sunday
Local time
3:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tavares, FL
Late night
in Tavares on Sunday
Local time
3:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
81°F
Polk City, FL
57 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
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 32m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip features a mixed-drive profile that balances high-speed transit with local navigation. You will spend about 44% of your travel time on highways, with your longest uninterrupted stint covering 37.1 miles on I-4. As you progress, the route shifts from busy interstate corridors to more localized roads like Commonwealth Avenue North and Howey Road. You should prepare for a transition from the heavy traffic typical of major arteries to the slower, more deliberate pace of regional thoroughfares. It is a functional drive that requires you to stay alert as the road surface and traffic density shift throughout the journey.
44% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 37.1 mi on I 4.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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 Effort9/10
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 15 significant decision points across 114.7 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 Tavares, 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 32m. Total distance: 114.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (44%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 37.1 miles on I 4. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Tavares, 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Tavares, FL before heading back.
