Origin
Eustis, FL
Late night in Eustis on Sunday
Local time
1:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Eustis, FL to Clearwater, FL
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 41m
Distance
117.1 mi
189 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 31m
★
6 AM
2h 41m
8 AM
3h 2m
10 AM
2h 49m
12 PM
2h 46m
3 PM
2h 50m
5 PM
3h 1m
8 PM
2h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Eustis, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Clearwater, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 117.1-mile drive from Eustis, Florida to Clearwater, Florida is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 41 minutes. The majority of your journey, about 67% of it, will be on highways, primarily I-75 and I-275, with a portion on County Road 44. With an estimated fuel cost of $19, this route is budget-friendly for a single-day adventure. It’s a straightforward drive that efficiently gets you from the heart of Florida to its Gulf Coast, making it a practical choice for a quick getaway or an easy transfer.
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
58.6 miles from Eustis, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 22m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 45.1 mi | 48m |
| I 275 | 11 mi | 12m |
| County Road 44 | 10.2 mi | 14m |
| FL 60 | 9.1 mi | 12m |
| West Waters Avenue | 5.1 mi | 9m |
| Gulf to Bay Boulevard | 4.7 mi | 9m |
| Warm Springs Avenue | 4.1 mi | 6m |
| East Main Street | 3.8 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 45.1 mi, about 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Eustis, FL and Clearwater, FL.
1
Start on East Orange Avenue
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
East Orange Avenue
2
Turn left onto FL 19
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Grove Street
3
Continue on FL 19
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Eustis Grove Street
4
Turn straight
503 ft
·
20 sec
5
Continue on CR 452
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
CR 452
6
Turn left onto CR 44
10 mi
·
14 min
·
County Road 44
7
Turn right onto US 441
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
US 441
8
Turn slight left
402 ft
·
12 sec
9
Turn right onto East Main Street
3.8 mi
·
7 min
·
East Main Street
10
Continue on FL 44
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
FL 44
11
Turn left onto CR 468
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Morse Boulevard
12
Turn straight onto CR 468
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Warm Springs Avenue
13
Enter roundabout onto CR 468
164 ft
·
3 sec
·
Warm Springs Avenue
14
Continue on CR 468
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Warm Springs Avenue
15
At end of road, turn left onto US 301
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
US 301
Use the left lane.
16
Turn left onto US 301
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
South Commercial Street
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn right onto CR 470
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
CR 470
Use the left / straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 75 South: Tampa
Use the left lane.
19
Merge onto I 75
45 mi
·
48 min
·
I 75
Use the straight lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 275
11 mi
·
12 min
·
I 275
Exit 274
Toward I 275 South: Tampa, Saint Petersburg
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 50
Toward FL 580: Busch Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
22
Turn right onto FL 580
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
East Busch Boulevard
23
Turn left onto US 41 Business
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Florida Avenue
Use the left lane.
24
Turn right onto West Waters Avenue
5.1 mi
·
9 min
·
West Waters Avenue
Use the right lane.
25
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
26
Merge onto FL 589 Toll
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Veterans Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 2A
Toward FL 60 West: Clearwater
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on FL 60
9.1 mi
·
12 min
·
FL 60
Toward Clearwater
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on FL 60
4.7 mi
·
9 min
·
Gulf to Bay Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
30
Continue on FL 60
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Court Street
Use the straight lane.
31
Turn right onto South Ft Harrison Avenue
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
South Ft Harrison Avenue
Use the right lane.
32
Arrive at destination
North Fort Harrison Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour and 41-minute duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip from Eustis to Clearwater. Consider departing in the morning to avoid potential afternoon traffic, especially as you approach the Clearwater area. The longest stretch without a major change in road type is 45.1 miles on I-75, so plan for a fuel stop before you embark if your tank is low. With only one recommended stop and a $19 fuel cost, flexibility is key; you can easily adjust your timing or add a brief break as needed.
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 58.6 miles from Eustis, FL, or about 1h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 45.1 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 26 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.6 miles or 1h 22m 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 7m
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 Eustis, 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 Eustis, FL
This is one driving day of about 117.1 miles and 2h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Eustis, 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 75 for about 45.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
59 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 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 58.6 miles from Eustis, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 195 decision points cluster between mile 26.9 and 101.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
26.9 mi into trip
|
~43m in
|
US 301
At end of road, turn left onto US 301
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
28.3 mi into trip
|
~46m in
|
US 301 / South Commercial Street
Turn left onto US 301 / South Commercial Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
9
80.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 45m in
|
I 275
Keep slight right at fork onto I 275 toward I 275 South: Tampa, Saint Petersburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 274
Toward I 275 South: Tampa, Saint Petersburg
7
91.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 58m in
Take the exit toward FL 580: Busch Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 50
Toward FL 580: Busch Boulevard
7
101.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 14m in
Take the exit toward FL 60 West: Clearwater
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 2A
Toward FL 60 West: Clearwater
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.64 one way
$37.28 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
41 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $20.28 | $40.55 |
| premium | $4.72 | $21.77 | $43.55 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $25.85 | $51.71 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.26
Veterans Expressway
(3.3 mi)
$0.26
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
$19
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.1 | 0 | $12.30 | $5.62 |
| Efficient EV | 29.3 | 0 | $10.25 | $4.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 46.8 | 0 | $16.39 | $7.49 |
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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
Clearwater, FL
Late night in Clearwater on Sunday
Local time
1:58 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.
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
9 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
2h 41m 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 drive for much of this 117.1-mile trip, with 67% of the route utilizing major roadways like I-75 and I-275. You’ll experience a significant uninterrupted stretch of 45.1 miles on I-75, allowing for steady progress. While the focus is on efficient travel, the inclusion of County Road 44 offers a slight variation before you merge onto the interstate system. This profile suggests a driving experience geared towards covering ground rather than sightseeing along the way.
67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 45.1 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and I 275. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 26.9 miles in near US 301.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 117.1 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 26.9 miles (US 301): Lane positioning matters here; at 28.3 miles (US 301 / South Commercial Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 80.2 miles (I 275): 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.
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 Eustis, FL to Clearwater, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Petersburg along the way.
Saint Petersburg
80.2 mi in
|
~1h 45m
|
via I 275
About the Cities
Arriving in Clearwater, FL
Full guide →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.
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 41m. Total distance: 117.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (67%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 45.1 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.26 in tolls one way, starting with Veterans 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 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 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 26.9 miles (US 301): Lane positioning matters here; at 28.3 miles (US 301 / South Commercial Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 80.2 miles (I 275): 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 Clearwater, 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.
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