Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Clermont, FL to Tampa, FL

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

Drive Time

1h 32m

Distance

73 mi

117 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$12

one way

EV Charging

Good

6 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 22 min
4 AM
1h 25m ★
6 AM
1h 33m
8 AM
1h 47m
10 AM
1h 37m
12 PM
1h 36m
3 PM
1h 38m
5 PM
1h 46m
8 PM
1h 28m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
city in Lake County, Florida, United States

Clermont, FL

Wikimedia Commons

city in Florida, United States

Tampa, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Connecting Clermont to Tampa is a straightforward 73-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 32 minutes of drive time. Because of its manageable length, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach the Gulf coast without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via I-4, West Minnehaha Avenue, and FL 33, making for an efficient transit between these two Florida locations. Budgeting around $12 for fuel should cover your travel costs, keeping this trip affordable for a quick getaway. Whether you are heading to the city for business or leisure, the drive offers a direct path that minimizes time spent on the road.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

36.5 miles from Clermont, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 50m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 4 35.4 mi 38m
West Minnehaha Avenue 11.3 mi 17m
FL 33 10.8 mi 13m
Commonwealth Avenue Southwest 5.7 mi 7m
Commonwealth Avenue North 5.5 mi 7m
Lee Roy Selmon Expressway 1.5 mi 2m
East Kennedy Boulevard 0.4 mi 1m
12th Street 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 4 — 35.4 mi, about 38m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Clermont, FL and Tampa, FL.

1

Start on Linden Street

0.2 mi · 46 sec · Linden Street
2

At end of road, turn left onto CR 561

0.2 mi · 25 sec · 12th Street
3

Turn right onto CR 561

11 mi · 17 min · West Minnehaha Avenue
4

Turn slight left onto FL 33

11 mi · 13 min · FL 33
5

Enter roundabout onto FL 33

135 ft · 2 sec · Commonwealth Avenue North
6

Continue on FL 33

5.5 mi · 7 min · Commonwealth Avenue North
7

Continue on FL 33

5.7 mi · 7 min · Commonwealth Avenue Southwest
8

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 52 sec
Toward I 4 West
9

Merge onto I 4

35 mi · 38 min · I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 59 sec
Exit 2 Toward FL 618 Toll: Port of Tampa, West Selmon Expressway Toll Use the straight / slight left lanes.
11

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 33 sec
Toward Downtown, West Selmonm Expressway Toll Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 43 sec
Toward Downtown, West Selmon Expressway Toll
13

Merge onto FL 618 Toll

1.5 mi · 2 min · Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
14

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Exit 8 Toward FL 60: Kennedy Boulevard, Downtown - East Use the slight right lane.
15

Turn straight onto US 41 Business; FL 60

0.4 mi · 1 min · East Kennedy Boulevard
16

Arrive at destination

FL 60

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively short drive, you have the flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule rather than worrying about long-distance pacing. However, keep in mind that I-4 can experience heavy traffic, so checking current road conditions before you leave is a smart move. Because there are no mandatory stops scheduled for this 73-mile route, you can drive straight through without much interruption. If you prefer a more relaxed pace, consider timing your trip to avoid peak rush hour traffic to ensure a smoother experience. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to keep an eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto the interstate, as the 35.4-mile uninterrupted stretch on I-4 offers fewer opportunities to pull over conveniently.

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 36.5 miles from Clermont, FL, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.4 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 16 miles or 24m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 36.5 miles or 50m 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 18m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tampa, FL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Clermont, FL so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Clermont, FL

This is one driving day of about 73 miles and 1h 32m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Clermont, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 4 for about 35.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Polk City, FL, FL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Polk City, FL

37 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

Polk City, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lakeland, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 36.5 miles from Clermont, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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

Retro House Coffee Bar & Asian Bistro

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tampa, Florida

Near the end, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 73

Hours: 7:30 am–9 pm

+18138125025

Visit website

Top Coffee Stop

Blue Deep Sea Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Clermont, Florida

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30

Hours: 7:30 am–5:30 pm

The Lab Coffee - West Tampa

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tampa, Florida

1.2 mi

Elevation Coffee Heights

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tampa, Florida

1 mi

Retro House Coffee Bar & Asian Bistro

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 73

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 7:30 am–9 pm

+18138125025

Visit website

Blue Deep Sea Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30

Clermont, Florida

Hours: 7:30 am–5:30 pm

The Lab Coffee - West Tampa

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 73

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

Visit website

Elevation Coffee Heights

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 73

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

Visit website

DI Coffee Bar

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 73

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+18139155998

Visit website

22nd Street Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 73

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+18133040373

Visit website

Castro's Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 26.1

Polk City, Florida

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+13524670378

Visit website

The Lab Coffee - Heights

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 73

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+18138436588

Visit website

Pressed Books & Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 41.7

Lakeland, Florida

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+18636033166

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Clermont, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

Blink Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Minneola, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

GE WattStation Charging Station

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour

Clermont, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

BTC Power Charging Station

Near the start, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Clermont, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

Blink Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 5.2

Clermont, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

SynergEV Charging Station

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour

Minneola, Florida

Magic Carpet Glide

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route mile 73

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+18136379797

Visit website

Perry Harvey Sr. Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 73

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+18132748615

Visit website

The Florida Aquarium

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 73

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18132734000

Visit website

Iconic Tampa Bay

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route mile 73

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+18132183498

Visit website

Bonnet Springs Park

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 41.7

Lakeland, Florida

Hours: 6 am–7:30 pm

+18637327000

Visit website

Cracker Country

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 67.7

Tampa, Florida

+18136274225

Visit website

Dinosaur World

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 52.1

Plant City, Florida

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+18137179865

Visit website

Epps Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 73

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+18132745161

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 10

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 72.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | CR 561 / 12th Street

At end of road, turn left onto CR 561 / 12th Street

Navigation decision point

8
69.5 mi into trip | ~1h 26m in

Take the exit toward FL 618 Toll: Port of Tampa, West Selmon Expressway Toll

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Exit 2 Toward FL 618 Toll: Port of Tampa, West Selmon...
8
70.2 mi into trip | ~1h 27m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Downtown, West Selmonm Expressway Toll

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Downtown, West Selmonm Expressway Toll
6
70.4 mi into trip | ~1h 28m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Downtown, West Selmon Expressway Toll

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward Downtown, West Selmon Expressway Toll
8
72.4 mi into trip | ~1h 30m in

Take the exit toward FL 60: Kennedy Boulevard, Downtown - East

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 Toward FL 60: Kennedy Boulevard, Downtown - Eas...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$11.62 one way

$23.24 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 26 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.40 $12.64 $25.28
premium $4.72 $13.57 $27.15
diesel $5.61 $16.12 $32.23

Estimated Tolls: $0.15

Selmon Expressway (1.5 mi) $0.15

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

$12

Tolls

$0

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$37–$62

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 25.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 21.9 0 $7.66 $3.50
Efficient EV 18.3 0 $6.39 $2.92
EV Truck/SUV 29.2 0 $10.22 $4.67

Gas CO2

26 kg

EV CO2

9 kg (65% 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

Clermont, FL

Late night in Clermont on Sunday

Local time

3:49 AM

EDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Tampa, FL

Late night in Tampa on Sunday

Local time

3:49 AM

EDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

81°F

Polk City, FL

37 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

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

1h 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused experience, as roughly 65% of your travel time will be spent on major roads. The most significant portion of the trip is a 35.4-mile stretch along I-4, which serves as the backbone of your journey. While the transition from the rolling hills of Clermont into the coastal environment of Tampa provides a shift in scenery, the road itself prioritizes speed and efficiency over winding backroads. You will find that the character of the drive changes as you move from local thoroughfares like West Minnehaha Avenue onto the high-traffic interstate system. It is a functional, no-nonsense commute that gets you to your destination quickly.

65% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 35.4 mi on I 4.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 4 and West Minnehaha Avenue. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near CR 561 / 12th Street.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 73 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (CR 561 / 12th Street): Navigation decision point; at 69.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 70.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

About the Cities

Starting in Clermont, FL

Full guide →

Clermont is a city in Lake County, Florida, just over 20 miles (32 km) west of Orlando. While the city is small and primarily residential, it is home to a handful of landmarks and offbeat attractions that make it a stop worth considering when in the area. In 2019, the population was about 39,000, an increase of 10,000 over nine years. The city quadrupled its population from 2000 to 2019.

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 1h 32m. Total distance: 73 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (65%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 35.4 miles on I 4. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $0.15 in tolls one way, starting with Selmon Expressway. 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 Tampa, FL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (CR 561 / 12th Street): Navigation decision point; at 69.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 70.2 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 Tampa, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Tampa, FL

Eglin Village, FL 430.8 mi · 7h 58m Laguna Beach, FL 394.1 mi · 7h 33m Bonifay, FL 365 mi · 6h 37m Youngstown, FL 355.1 mi · 6h 41m

More from Clermont, FL

Brent, FL 427.1 mi · 7h 48m Miramar, FL 233.9 mi · 4h 24m Hollywood, FL 233.3 mi · 4h 23m Pembroke Pines, FL 232.1 mi · 4h 20m Fort Lauderdale, FL 226.3 mi · 4h 17m Gainesville, FL 91.9 mi · 1h 52m

More trips to Tampa, FL

Pensacola, FL 467.8 mi Fort Walton Beach, FL 435.1 mi Destin, FL 431.9 mi Miramar Beach, FL 424.4 mi Crestview, FL 420.7 mi Panama City Beach, FL 382.4 mi
Escape planner: Clermont, FL Scenic drives in FL

Explore more options from Clermont, FL or browse trips ending in Tampa, FL.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse FL road trips.