Traveling from Key West to Clearwater covers 425.4 miles and requires approximately 8 hours and 59 minutes of total drive time. Given the length of the journey, we highly recommend planning this as a two-day trip rather than attempting it in a single day. You will navigate a mix of local roads and major arteries like the Overseas Highway and Alligator Alley. Budgeting roughly $71 for fuel is a safe estimate for your vehicle's needs. This route transitions you from the unique island atmosphere of the Florida Keys through the heart of the state toward the Gulf Coast. Taking two days allows you to handle the transitions comfortably without feeling rushed by the clock.
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
212.7 miles from Key West, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Alligator Alley
203.5 mi
3h 38m
New Seven Mile Bridge
68.1 mi
1h 46m
Overseas Highway
36.1 mi
56m
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
34.8 mi
41m
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
19.5 mi
22m
Dixie Highway
19.4 mi
26m
Okeechobee Road
17.6 mi
22m
US Highway 19 North
9.1 mi
12m
Longest stretch:
Alligator Alley
— 203.5 mi, about 3h 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Key West, FL and Clearwater, FL.
1
Start on George Street
367 ft·21 sec·George Street
2
At end of road, turn left onto Flagler Avenue
2.1 mi·5 min·Flagler Avenue
3
At end of road, turn left onto FL A1A
0.3 mi·40 sec·South Roosevelt Boulevard
4
Turn right onto US 1
36 mi·56 min·Overseas Highway
5
Continue on US 1
68 mi·1 hr 46 min·New Seven Mile Bridge
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on US 1
19 mi·26 min·Dixie Highway
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward Miami, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike NorthUse the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
13 mi·15 min·Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Toward Miami, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
3.6 mi·4 min·Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
2.5 mi·3 min·Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
16 mi·17 min·Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 35Toward US 27: Okeechobee RoadUse the right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·15 sec
Toward US 27: Okeechobee Road
14
Merge onto US 27
18 mi·22 min·Okeechobee Road
Use the right lane.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 75: Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Naples
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 75 North: Naples
17
Merge onto I 75
203 mi·3 hr 38 min·Alligator Alley
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit onto I 275
5.7 mi·7 min·I 275
Exit 228Toward I 275 North: Saint PetersburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·19 sec
20
Merge onto I 275; US 19
19 mi·22 min·Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 26BToward 54th Avenue North WestboundUse the slight right lane.
22
Turn straight onto 54th Avenue North
0.9 mi·1 min·54th Avenue North
Use the straight lane.
23
Turn right onto US 19
0.6 mi·1 min·34th Street North
24
Continue on US 19
9.1 mi·12 min·US Highway 19 North
Use the left lane.
25
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward FL 60: Seville Boulevard, Gulf To BayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on US 19 Northbound Frontage Road
0.4 mi·53 sec·US 19 Northbound Frontage Road
27
Continue on Northbound Frontage Road
0.2 mi·25 sec·Northbound Frontage Road
28
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Use the left lane.
29
Continue on FL 60
2.7 mi·5 min·Gulf to Bay Boulevard
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
To keep your energy levels steady, plan for at least two intentional stops along the way to break up the nearly nine-hour travel time. Since the trip involves significant local road sections, departing early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid mid-day traffic congestion. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the 203.5-mile stretch on Alligator Alley, as services can be spaced out compared to the more populated sections of your drive. If you decide to split the trip, look for accommodations near the midpoint to ensure your second day remains manageable. Always factor in extra time for the turn-heavy local segments, as these areas often move slower than the interstate portions of your journey.
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 212.7 miles from Key West, FL, or about 4h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 203.5 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 94 miles or 2h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 212.7 miles or 4h 58m 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 212.7 miles or 4h 58m
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 42m
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 Key West, 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 Key West, FL
Aim for roughly 213 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Clearwater, FL
Aim for roughly 213 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 94 miles from Key West, 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 Alligator Alley for about 203.5 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 125.9 and 420 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
125.9 mi into trip|~3h 16m in
Take the exit toward Miami, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward Miami, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North
7
161.1 mi into trip|~3h 58m in
Take the exit toward US 27: Okeechobee Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 35
Toward US 27: Okeechobee Road
7
383.6 mi into trip|~8h 1m in|I 275
Take the exit onto I 275 toward I 275 North: Saint Petersburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 228
Toward I 275 North: Saint Petersburg
7
409.1 mi into trip|~8h 32m in
Take the exit toward 54th Avenue North Westbound
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 26B
Toward 54th Avenue North Westbound
7
420 mi into trip|~8h 48m in
Take the exit toward FL 60: Seville Boulevard, Gulf To Bay
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.
Toward FL 60: Seville Boulevard, Gulf To Bay
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$67.71 one way
$135.42 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg149 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$73.66
$147.32
premium
$4.72
$79.10
$158.20
diesel
$5.61
$93.92
$187.85
Estimated Tolls: $3.45
Homestead Extension
(34.8 mi)$2.09
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
(19.5 mi)$1.36
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
$68
Tolls
$3
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$201–$311
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 148.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $45 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
127.6
1
$44.67
$20.42
Efficient EV
106.4
1
$37.22
$17.02
EV Truck/SUV
170.2
2
$59.56
$27.23
Gas CO2
149 kg
EV CO2
50 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
Key West, FL
Late night
in Key West on Sunday
Local time
12:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
13 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
8h 59m 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.
De Soto National Memorial
National Memorial
In May 1539, Conquistador Hernando de Soto’s army of soldiers, hired mercenaries, craftsmen, and clergy made landfall in Tampa Bay. They were met with fierce resistance of indigenous people protecting...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 381.4
Within sight of Miami, yet worlds away, Biscayne protects a rare combination of aquamarine waters, emerald islands, and fish-bejeweled coral reefs. Evidence of 10,000 years of human history is here to...
13 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 132
Established in 1947 as the first national park created for its biodiversity, Everglades National Park protects 1.5 million acres of wetland, forest, and marine habitats and the native plants and anima...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
$35
near mile 117.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a diverse experience behind the wheel, as this route is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive with only 12% highway share. You begin your journey navigating the iconic New Seven Mile Bridge and the Overseas Highway, which demand your full attention. The pace shifts significantly once you reach Alligator Alley, where you encounter the longest stretch of the trip at 203.5 miles. This transition from technical, local road driving to a long, sustained highway stretch defines the character of the route. Prepare for a stark contrast between the winding coastal sections and the more direct, high-speed segments that span the interior of Florida.
Only 12% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 203.5 mi on Alligator Alley.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 125.9 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 22 significant decision points across 425.4 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 125.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 161.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 383.6 miles (I 275): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Key West, FL and Clearwater, FL, road signs point toward Miami, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North, Fort Lauderdale and Naples.
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.
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 203.5 miles on Alligator Alley. 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 213 miles on day one.
Expect about $3.45 in tolls one way, starting with Homestead Extension. 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 125.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 161.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 383.6 miles (I 275): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — De Soto National Memorial, Biscayne National Park and Everglades National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 9.0 hours each way, a round trip means 18.0 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.
