Traveling from Ensley to Clearwater covers approximately 450.5 miles and typically requires about 7 hours and 16 minutes of active driving time. Because this journey is classified as a turn-heavy local drive, you should plan for a full day on the road if you intend to complete it in one go. You will navigate primarily via Pensacola Boulevard, the Florida Georgia Parkway, and US 19 to reach the coast. Budgeting around $75 for fuel is a reasonable starting point for your trip planning. While it is possible to complete this drive in a single day, the intensity of local roads means you will want to stay alert and manage your pace accordingly.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
217.6 miles from Ensley, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
214.4 mi
3h 50m
US 19
176.3 mi
3h 55m
Florida Georgia Parkway
37.2 mi
47m
Drew Street
2.9 mi
6m
Northeast Coachman Road
1.7 mi
3m
Pensacola Boulevard
1.1 mi
1m
US 19 Southbound Frontage Road
0.9 mi
2m
North Fort Harrison Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 214.4 mi, about 3h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ensley, FL and Clearwater, FL.
1
Start on West Detroit Boulevard
35 ft·9 sec·West Detroit Boulevard
2
Turn left onto US 29
1.1 mi·1 min·Pensacola Boulevard
Use the left lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·20 sec
4
Merge onto I 10
214 mi·3 hr 50 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Exit 225Toward US 19: Florida-Georgia Parkway, Monticello, Perry
6
Turn right onto US 19
4.7 mi·6 min·Florida Georgia Parkway
7
At end of road, turn left onto US 19; US 27
32 mi·41 min·Florida Georgia Parkway
8
Continue on US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate
55 mi·1 hr 8 min·US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate
121 mi·2 hr 47 min·US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward FL 590: Northeast Coachman Road, Sunset Point RoadUse the slight right lane.
11
Turn straight onto US 19 Southbound Frontage Road
0.9 mi·2 min·US 19 Southbound Frontage Road
12
Turn right onto FL 590
1.7 mi·3 min·Northeast Coachman Road
13
Turn slight right onto FL 590
2.9 mi·6 min·Drew Street
14
Turn left onto North Fort Harrison Avenue
0.2 mi·22 sec·North Fort Harrison Avenue
15
Arrive at destination
North Fort Harrison Avenue
Trip Plan
To keep your drive manageable, plan for at least two intentional stops to stretch your legs and reset your focus. Since this is a long, local-heavy route, departing early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid mid-day congestion on the smaller roads. Keep your fuel budget of $75 in mind and consider topping off your tank before entering the more densely populated sections of US 19. Flexibility is your greatest advantage here; if the local traffic becomes draining, do not hesitate to add an extra break to ensure you arrive in Clearwater feeling refreshed. Always keep an eye on your navigation system, as the turn-heavy nature of the route makes it easy to miss a junction if you lose concentration.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 217.6 miles from Ensley, FL, or about 3h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 214.4 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 96 miles or 1h 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 217.6 miles or 3h 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 217.6 miles or 3h 55m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clearwater, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ensley, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Ensley, FL
Aim for roughly 218 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Clearwater, FL
Aim for roughly 218 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 96 miles from Ensley, FL.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 10 for about 214.4 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 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 429.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|US 29 / Pensacola Boulevard
Turn left onto US 29 / Pensacola Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
1.3 mi into trip|~2m in|I 10
Merge onto I 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
215.7 mi into trip|~3h 52m in
Take the exit toward US 19: Florida-Georgia Parkway, Monticello, Perry
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 225
Toward US 19: Florida-Georgia Parkway, Monticel...
6
308.2 mi into trip|~5h 49m in|US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate
Keep slight right at fork onto US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
429.4 mi into trip|~8h 37m in
Take the exit toward FL 590: Northeast Coachman Road, Sunset Point Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward FL 590: Northeast Coachman Road, Sunset...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$69.29 one way
$138.58 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg152 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$75.37
$150.74
premium
$4.72
$80.94
$161.88
diesel
$5.61
$96.11
$192.22
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$69
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$199–$309
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 152.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $46 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
130.6
1
$45.71
$20.89
Efficient EV
108.8
1
$38.09
$17.41
EV Truck/SUV
174.1
2
$60.94
$27.86
Gas CO2
152 kg
EV CO2
51 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 16, 2026
Origin
Ensley, FL
Night
in Ensley on Saturday
Local time
11:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Clearwater, FL
Late night
in Clearwater on Sunday
Local time
12:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
Time zone
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
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
8h 49m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Gulf Islands National Seashore
National Seashore
Millions of visitors are drawn to the Gulf of America for Gulf Islands National Seashore's emerald coast waters, magnificent white beaches, fertile marshes and historical landscapes. Come explore with...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a significantly different experience than a standard interstate cruise, as this route relies entirely on local roads rather than high-speed highways. With a 0% highway share, the trip is defined by a constant series of turns and changes in traffic flow rather than long, monotonous stretches of open pavement. Navigating these local corridors requires your full attention, as you will frequently adjust to varying speed limits and intersections. Because the drive is turn-heavy, you will find that the road demands active engagement behind the wheel for the duration of the 7-hour transit. Prepare for a steady, rhythmic pace that prioritizes local connectivity over rapid highway travel.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 214.4 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and US 19. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 29 / Pensacola Boulevard.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 8h 49m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 8 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 29 / Pensacola Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 215.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Ensley, FL and Clearwater, FL, road signs point toward Monticello and Perry.
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.
The longest stretch is about 214.4 miles on I 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 218 miles on day one.
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 is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Clearwater, 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 29 / Pensacola Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 215.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Gulf Islands National Seashore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.8 hours each way, a round trip means 17.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Clearwater, FL before the return drive.
