Trip from Clewiston, FL to Tampa, FL

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 29m

Distance

160.1 mi

258 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

EV Charging

Fair

4 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min

4 AM

3h 17m ★

6 AM

3h 30m

8 AM

3h 54m

10 AM

3h 38m

12 PM

3h 36m

3 PM

3h 39m

5 PM

3h 53m

8 PM

3h 22m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Clewiston, FL

DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ

Tampa, FL

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Trip Overview

This 173.1-mile drive from Clewiston, FL to Tampa, FL is a straightforward, single-day adventure, taking about 2 hours and 57 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $29, it's an economical option for a quick trip within Florida. The route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' suggesting you'll be navigating through towns and making frequent turns rather than cruising on major highways. You'll likely encounter a mix of local roads and potentially some state highways as you make your way across the state. This trip is perfectly suited for a day excursion, allowing you ample time to reach your destination without feeling rushed.

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

80 miles from Clewiston, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US 27	98.2 mi	2h 4m
FL 60	44.2 mi	59m
Sugarland Highway	6.7 mi	9m
Lee Roy Selmon Expressway	5.2 mi	6m
East Adamo Drive	2.1 mi	3m
Main Street	1.7 mi	3m
Flamingo Drive	0.5 mi	<1m
East Kennedy Boulevard	0.4 mi	1m

Longest stretch: US 27 — 98.2 mi, about 2h 4m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on US 27; FL 80

6.7 mi · 9 min · Sugarland Highway

Continue on US 27; FL 80

51 mi · 1 hr 2 min · US 27; FL 80

Use the left lane.

Continue on US 27

0.2 mi · 19 sec · US 27

Use the left lane.

Continue on US 27

10 mi · 12 min · US 27

Use the left lane.

Continue on US 27

37 mi · 49 min · US 27

Use the left / straight lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 30 sec

Use the left lane.

Merge onto FL 60

14 mi · 17 min · FL 60

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit onto Flamingo Drive

0.5 mi · 53 sec · Flamingo Drive

Use the left lane.

Continue on Main Street

1.7 mi · 3 min · Main Street

Turn left onto FL 60

26 mi · 34 min · FL 60

Use the left / straight lanes.

Continue on FL 60

4.5 mi · 7 min · FL 60

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Turn straight onto FL 60

0.4 mi · 35 sec · Adamo Drive

Continue on FL 60

2.1 mi · 3 min · East Adamo Drive

Use the left / straight lanes.

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 41 sec

Toward FL 618 Toll West

Merge onto FL 618 Toll

5.2 mi · 6 min · Lee Roy Selmon Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec

Exit 8 Toward FL 60: Kennedy Boulevard, Downtown - East Use the slight right lane.

Turn straight onto US 41 Business; FL 60

0.4 mi · 1 min · East Kennedy Boulevard

Arrive at destination

FL 60

Trip Plan

For this 2-hour and 57-minute drive covering 173.1 miles, flexibility is key. Since it's a manageable day trip with a modest $29 fuel cost, you can leave whenever it suits you best. Consider an early departure to avoid any potential local traffic as you enter Tampa. With one main stop suggested, plan for a brief break midway to stretch your legs or grab a quick refreshment. Given the 'turn-heavy local drive' nature, pay close attention to navigation and speed limits, especially as you pass through towns. A good tip would be to ensure your GPS is fully charged or you have a reliable map, as frequent turns can be disorienting.

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 80 miles from Clewiston, FL, or about 1h 40m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.2 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 35 miles or 43m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 80 miles or 1h 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 2h 48m

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 Clewiston, 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 Clewiston, FL

This is one driving day of about 160.1 miles and 3h 29m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Clewiston, 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 US 27 for about 98.2 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

80 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.

Popular next leg

Eagle Lake, FL to Tampa, FL

49.3 mi · 1h 2m

Pacing Suggestions

Lake Placid, FL

Fuel and coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 1 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 7:30 am–9 pm

+18138125025

Visit website

The Lab Coffee - West Tampa

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

Visit website

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

Avon Park, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Tesla Destination Charger

2.6 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Sebring, Florida

+18633861000

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

Halfway reset 4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour

Sebring, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18633141305

Visit website

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

Halfway reset 4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour

Sebring, Florida

+18636551442

Visit website

Epps Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 4 mi from route ~10 min detour

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 7

5 decision points cluster between mile 104.9 and 159.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

104.9 mi into trip | ~2h 13m in

Take the exit

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

105.2 mi into trip | ~2h 13m in | FL 60

Merge onto FL 60

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

119 mi into trip | ~2h 31m in | Flamingo Drive

Take the exit onto Flamingo Drive

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

154.2 mi into trip | ~3h 21m in | FL 618 Toll / Lee Roy Selmon Expressway

Merge onto FL 618 Toll / Lee Roy Selmon Expressway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

159.5 mi into trip | ~3h 28m 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

$25.48 one way

$50.97 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 56 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.40	$27.72	$55.44
premium	$4.72	$29.77	$59.54
diesel	$5.61	$35.35	$70.70

Estimated Tolls: $0.52

Selmon Expressway (5.2 mi) $0.52

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

$25

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$51–$76

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 56 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	48	$16.81	$7.68
Efficient EV	40	$14.01	$6.40
EV Truck/SUV	64	$22.41	$10.25

Gas CO2

56 kg

EV CO2

19 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.

Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026

Origin

Clewiston, FL

Late night in Clewiston on Tuesday

Local time

5:12 AM

EDT

Current temp

88°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Tampa, FL

Late night in Tampa on Tuesday

Local time

5:12 AM

EDT

Current temp

65°F

Mostly Clear

NE 2 to 8 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Rip Current Statement

Rip Current Statement issued April 16 at 7:03PM EDT until April 17 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL

Rip Current Statement

Rip Current Statement issued April 16 at 3:00AM EDT until April 17 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL

66°F

Eagle Lake, FL

80 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

23 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

3h 29m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a driving experience that leans heavily on local roads, with a 0% highway share. This means you'll be navigating through various communities, encountering traffic lights, and making numerous turns throughout the 173.1-mile journey. The 'turn-heavy local drive' profile indicates a more engaged driving style is required, as opposed to a monotonous interstate cruise. While there's no longest uninterrupted stretch specified, the nature of this route suggests you'll be stopping and starting more frequently as you pass through populated areas. This drive offers a more intimate feel of the Florida landscape as you traverse it.

92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 98.2 mi on US 27.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 27 and FL 60. You will hit about 7 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 104.9 miles in.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 160.1 miles you will encounter 7 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 104.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 105.2 miles (FL 60): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 119 miles (Flamingo Drive): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

Arriving in Tampa, FL

Full guide →

The city of Tampa is the county seat of Hillsborough County and the largest city on Florida's West Coast.

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 3h 29m. Total distance: 160.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 98.2 miles on US 27. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $0.52 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.

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.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Tampa, 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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Explore more options from Clewiston, FL or browse trips ending in Tampa, FL.

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Trip from Clewiston, FL to Tampa, FL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Retro House Coffee Bar & Asian Bistro

The Lab Coffee - West Tampa

Retro House Coffee Bar & Asian Bistro

The Lab Coffee - West Tampa

Elevation Coffee Heights

DI Coffee Bar

22nd Street Coffee

Lake Wales Latte Lounge Coffee and Bookshop

The Lab Coffee - Heights

Coffee Uniting People - CUP

Kubana Kafe

EV Connect Charging Station

Tesla Destination Charger

Tesla Destination Charger

Tesla Destination Charger

Magic Carpet Glide

Perry Harvey Sr. Park

The Florida Aquarium

Iconic Tampa Bay

Sebring International Raceway

Epps Park

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Clewiston, FL

Tampa, FL

Same local time

23 degrees cooler at arrival

3h 29m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

About the Cities

Arriving in Tampa, FL

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

How do I pay the tolls on this route?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Tampa, FL

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