Florida Ridge to Clearwater is 166.1 miles and takes about 3h 40m via FL 60 and I-4, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the state of Florida, moving you from one part of the region to another. It's a straightforward drive, mostly on highways, making it a convenient option for a single-day journey. The route is designed to get you from point A to point B efficiently, so plan for a practical travel experience rather than an extensively scenic one.
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
83.1 miles from Florida Ridge, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
FL 60
74.3 mi
1h 35m
I 4
25.7 mi
28m
20th Street
22.6 mi
27m
Polk Parkway
9.9 mi
11m
Bartow Road
7 mi
9m
I 275
4.8 mi
6m
Gulf to Bay Boulevard
4.7 mi
9m
Oslo Road
3.7 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
FL 60
— 74.3 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Florida Ridge, FL and Clearwater, FL.
1
Start on 7th Road Southwest
0.5 mi·1 min·7th Road Southwest
2
Turn left onto CR 606
2.6 mi·4 min·9th Street Southwest
Use the right lane.
3
Continue on CR 606
3.7 mi·5 min·Oslo Road
Use the left lane.
4
Turn right
0.9 mi·1 min
5
Turn straight onto CR 619
2.6 mi·4 min·82nd Avenue
6
Turn left onto FL 60
23 mi·27 min·20th Street
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on FL 60
65 mi·1 hr 23 min·FL 60
Use the left lane.
8
Turn left onto US 98; FL 60
0.6 mi·1 min·Van Fleet Drive
Use the left lane.
9
Turn right onto US 98
0.6 mi·1 min·Broadway Avenue
Use the right lane.
10
Continue on US 98
7.0 mi·9 min·Bartow Road
Use the left lane.
11
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward FL 570 Toll West: Polk Parkway WestUse the right lane.
12
Merge onto FL 570 Toll
9.9 mi·11 min·Polk Parkway
Use the right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
1.1 mi·2 min
Toward I 4 West: TampaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 4
26 mi·28 min·I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·40 sec
Toward I 275 South: Tampa International Airport, Saint PetersburgUse the slight left lane.
16
Merge onto I 275
4.8 mi·6 min·I 275
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 39Toward FL 60 West: Tampa International Airport, ClearwaterUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto FL 60
0.4 mi·35 sec·Memorial Highway
Toward FL 60, FL 589 Toll: Tampa International Airport, Clearwater
19
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.
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Exit 2AToward FL 60 West: ClearwaterUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on FL 60
9.3 mi·12 min·FL 60
Toward FL 60: ClearwaterUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on FL 60
4.7 mi·9 min·Gulf to Bay Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
23
Continue on FL 60
1.5 mi·3 min·Court Street
Use the straight lane.
24
Turn right onto South Ft Harrison Avenue
0.2 mi·39 sec·South Ft Harrison Avenue
Use the right lane.
25
Arrive at destination
North Fort Harrison Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 40m duration, starting your drive in the morning from Florida Ridge allows ample time to reach Clearwater before evening. With only one suggested stop, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 74.3-mile stretch on FL 60, and consider topping off before embarking on that longer segment. The $26 fuel cost estimate is helpful for budgeting, and since it's a single-day trip, you can depart and arrive on the same day without needing overnight accommodations.
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 83.1 miles from Florida Ridge, FL, or about 1h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 74.3 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 37 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.1 miles or 1h 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 2h 56m
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 Florida Ridge, 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 Florida Ridge, FL
This is one driving day of about 166.1 miles and 3h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Florida Ridge, 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 FL 60 for about 74.3 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 116.4 and 149.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
116.4 mi into trip|~2h 33m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 4 West: Tampa
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 4 West: Tampa
8
143.1 mi into trip|~3h 4m 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
148.3 mi into trip|~3h 11m 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
149 mi into trip|~3h 12m 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
149.9 mi into trip|~3h 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
$26.44 one way
$52.88 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg58 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$28.76
$57.52
premium
$4.72
$30.89
$61.77
diesel
$5.61
$36.67
$73.35
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
$26
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
49.8
0
$17.44
$7.97
Efficient EV
41.5
0
$14.53
$6.64
EV Truck/SUV
66.4
0
$23.25
$10.63
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (67% 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 20, 2026
Origin
Florida Ridge, FL
Morning
in Florida Ridge on Tuesday
Local time
6:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Clearwater, FL
Morning
in Clearwater on Tuesday
Local time
6:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°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
7 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 40m 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 drive is predominantly highway-focused, with about 70% of the journey utilizing major roadways like FL 60 and I-4. You'll encounter a substantial uninterrupted stretch of 74.3 miles on FL 60, offering a consistent pace. As you progress, the character shifts from the initial highway focus to incorporating other main roads like 20th Street as you near your destination. Expect a driving experience that prioritizes speed and directness over winding scenic byways.
70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 74.3 mi on FL 60.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on FL 60 and I 4. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 116.4 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 166.1 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 116.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 143.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 148.3 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 Florida Ridge, 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.
Top landmarks
•Belleview-Biltmore Hotel — hotel in Clearwater, United States of America
•Donald Roebling Estate — historic residential estate in Clearwater, within Pinellas County, FL
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 40m. Total distance: 166.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 74.3 miles on FL 60. 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.
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 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 116.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 143.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 148.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Clearwater, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
