Fairview Shores, FL to Clearwater, FL is 108.9 miles and takes about 2h 18m via I 4 and FL 60, with a fuel budget near $18 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, transitioning from the general vicinity of Orlando to the Tampa Bay area. Expect a drive that primarily utilizes major highways, making it a straightforward journey for those looking to cover distance efficiently. Given its relatively short duration and highway-focused nature, it's an ideal candidate for a single-day excursion.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
54.5 miles from Fairview Shores, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 4
78.4 mi
1h 28m
FL 60
9.3 mi
12m
John Young Parkway
4.9 mi
8m
I 275
4.8 mi
6m
Gulf to Bay Boulevard
4.7 mi
9m
Court Street
1.5 mi
3m
Veterans Expressway
0.9 mi
1m
Silver Star Road
0.9 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 4
— 78.4 mi, about 1h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairview Shores, FL and Clearwater, FL.
1
Start on FL 424
0.5 mi·1 min·Edgewater Drive
2
Turn right onto Maury Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Maury Road
3
Continue on Rio Grande Avenue
0.1 mi·18 sec·Rio Grande Avenue
4
Turn right onto Silver Star Road
0.9 mi·1 min·Silver Star Road
5
Turn left onto FL 423
4.9 mi·8 min·John Young Parkway
Use the left lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·54 sec
Toward I 4 West: TampaUse the right lane.
7
Merge onto I 4
78 mi·1 hr 28 min·I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·40 sec
Toward I 275 South: Tampa International Airport, Saint PetersburgUse the slight left lane.
9
Merge onto I 275
4.8 mi·6 min·I 275
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 39Toward FL 60 West: Tampa International Airport, ClearwaterUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto FL 60
0.4 mi·35 sec·Memorial Highway
Toward FL 60, FL 589 Toll: Tampa International Airport, Clearwater
12
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 589 Toll
0.9 mi·1 min·Veterans Expressway
Toward FL 589 TollUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Exit 2AToward FL 60 West: ClearwaterUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on FL 60
9.3 mi·12 min·FL 60
Toward FL 60: ClearwaterUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on FL 60
4.7 mi·9 min·Gulf to Bay Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on FL 60
1.5 mi·3 min·Court Street
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn right onto South Ft Harrison Avenue
0.2 mi·39 sec·South Ft Harrison Avenue
Use the right lane.
18
Arrive at destination
North Fort Harrison Avenue
Trip Plan
With a driving time of just over two hours, you have considerable flexibility in planning your departure. Leaving in the morning will allow you to arrive with ample time to enjoy Clearwater. The longest stretch on I 4 is over 78 miles, so plan for a fuel stop before you embark if your tank is low. Given the straightforward highway nature of this trip, you likely won't need to plan for many stops, but rest areas are available along I 4 if needed. Keep an eye on traffic conditions, especially as you approach the Tampa Bay metropolitan area.
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 54.5 miles from Fairview Shores, FL, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.4 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 24 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 54.5 miles or 1h 6m 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 46m
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 Fairview Shores, 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 Fairview Shores, FL
This is one driving day of about 108.9 miles and 2h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Fairview Shores, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 4 for about 78.4 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 7.1 and 92.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
7.1 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the ramp toward I 4 West: Tampa
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 4 West: Tampa
8
85.9 mi into trip|~1h 41m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 275 South: Tampa International Airport, Saint Petersburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 275 South: Tampa International Airport...
8
91.1 mi into trip|~1h 49m in
Take the exit toward FL 60 West: Tampa International Airport, Clearwater
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 39
Toward FL 60 West: Tampa International Airport,...
7
91.8 mi into trip|~1h 50m in|FL 589 Toll / Veterans Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 589 Toll / Veterans Expressway toward FL 589 Toll
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward FL 589 Toll
7
92.7 mi into trip|~1h 51m 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
$17.33 one way
$34.67 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg38 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$18.86
$37.71
premium
$4.72
$20.25
$40.50
diesel
$5.61
$24.04
$48.09
Estimated Tolls: $0.07
Veterans Expressway
(0.9 mi)$0.07
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
$17
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
32.7
0
$11.43
$5.23
Efficient EV
27.2
0
$9.53
$4.36
EV Truck/SUV
43.6
0
$15.25
$6.97
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 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 15, 2026
Origin
Fairview Shores, FL
Morning
in Fairview Shores on Sunday
Local time
10:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Clearwater, FL
Morning
in Clearwater on Sunday
Local time
10:37 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
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
2h 18m 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 route is a highway-focused drive, with 90% of the journey taking place on major roadways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on I 4, including a stretch of 78.4 miles without interruption. The drive begins with time on John Young Parkway before merging onto I 4, then transitioning to FL 60 as you approach your destination. The character is predominantly that of a fast-paced, high-speed transit, designed for making good time.
90% 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: 78.4 mi on I 4.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 4 and FL 60. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.1 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 108.9 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 7.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 85.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 91.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Fairview Shores, FL to Clearwater, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Saint 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 18m. Total distance: 108.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 78.4 miles on I 4. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.07 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 7.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 85.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 91.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
