Lauderdale Lakes to Clearwater is 262.7 miles and takes about 5h 3m via I 75 and US Highway 19 North, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, moving from the southeastern part of the state towards the Gulf Coast. Most of your travel will be on major highways, making it a straightforward drive. Expect a mostly highway experience for this 1-day trip, ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to get across the state. The route is designed for ease of travel, with a significant portion on well-maintained interstates.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
131.4 miles from Lauderdale Lakes, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 28m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
209.2 mi
3h 44m
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
19.5 mi
22m
US Highway 19 North
9.1 mi
12m
West Oakland Park Boulevard
7.2 mi
13m
I 275
5.7 mi
7m
Sawgrass Expressway
3.3 mi
3m
Gulf to Bay Boulevard
2.7 mi
5m
Court Street
1.5 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 209.2 mi, about 3h 44m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 92 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,826 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,424
Quietest
2 AM
~185 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lauderdale Lakes, FL and Clearwater, FL.
1
Start on Northwest 44th Terrace
36 ft·3 sec·Northwest 44th Terrace
2
Turn right onto Northwest 32nd Court
0.1 mi·33 sec·Northwest 32nd Court
3
Turn right onto Northwest 32nd Street
254 ft·16 sec·Northwest 32nd Street
4
Turn left onto Northwest 46th Avenue
291 ft·16 sec·Northwest 46th Avenue
5
Turn right onto SR 816
6.4 mi·11 min·West Oakland Park Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on CR 816
0.8 mi·1 min·West Oakland Park Boulevard
Use the right lane.
7
Merge onto SR 869 Toll
3.3 mi·3 min·Sawgrass Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
1.0 mi·2 min
Toward I 75 North: Alligator Alley, NaplesUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 595
0.1 mi·7 sec·I 595
10
Merge onto I 75
209 mi·3 hr 44 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
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.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·19 sec
13
Merge onto I 275; US 19
19 mi·22 min·Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 26BToward 54th Avenue North WestboundUse the slight right lane.
15
Turn straight onto 54th Avenue North
0.9 mi·1 min·54th Avenue North
Use the straight lane.
16
Turn right onto US 19
0.6 mi·1 min·34th Street North
17
Continue on US 19
9.1 mi·12 min·US Highway 19 North
Use the left lane.
18
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward FL 60: Seville Boulevard, Gulf To BayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on US 19 Northbound Frontage Road
0.4 mi·53 sec·US 19 Northbound Frontage Road
20
Continue on Northbound Frontage Road
0.2 mi·25 sec·Northbound Frontage Road
21
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Use the left lane.
22
Continue on FL 60
2.7 mi·5 min·Gulf to Bay Boulevard
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
For this 5-hour drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. With only one recommended stop and 87% highway driving, you can easily complete this in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $41 budget is based on current prices and your vehicle's efficiency. A good time to refuel would be before you leave I 75 and begin the US Highway 19 North portion. This route is straightforward, so focus on maintaining your pace and enjoying the efficient travel across Florida.
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 131.4 miles from Lauderdale Lakes, FL, or about 2h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 209.2 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 58 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 131.4 miles or 2h 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 58m
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 Lauderdale Lakes, 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 Lauderdale Lakes, FL
This is one driving day of about 262.7 miles and 5h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Lauderdale Lakes, 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 209.2 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 257.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.2 mi into trip|~1m in|SR 816 / West Oakland Park Boulevard
Turn right onto SR 816 / West Oakland Park Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
10.7 mi into trip|~18m in
Take the exit toward I 75 North: Alligator Alley, Naples
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 I 75 North: Alligator Alley, Naples
7
221 mi into trip|~4h 4m 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
246.5 mi into trip|~4h 35m 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
257.4 mi into trip|~4h 51m 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
$39.77 one way
$79.53 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$43.64
$87.27
premium
$4.55
$47.06
$94.12
diesel
$4.80
$49.60
$99.21
Estimated Tolls: $1.62
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
(19.5 mi)$1.36
Sawgrass 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
$40
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78.8
0
$27.58
$12.61
Efficient EV
65.7
0
$22.99
$10.51
EV Truck/SUV
105.1
1
$36.78
$16.81
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Lauderdale Lakes, FL
Late night
in Lauderdale Lakes on Monday
Local time
3:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 3 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 17 at 3:45AM EDT until July 18 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Destination
Clearwater, FL
Late night
in Clearwater on Monday
Local time
3:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
ESE 5 mph19% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 17 at 3:45AM EDT until July 18 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
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
3 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
5h 3m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 226.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 87% of the route on major roads. You'll spend the longest stretch, 209.2 miles, on I 75. After I 75, you'll transition to US Highway 19 North for the remainder of the trip. Expect a consistently smooth cruising experience for the majority of the miles. The dense network of exits on I 75 means frequent opportunities to branch off if needed.
87% 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: 209.2 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Sunshine Skyway Bridge. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near SR 816 / West Oakland Park Boulevard.
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 18 significant decision points across 262.7 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 0.2 miles (SR 816 / West Oakland Park Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 221 miles (I 275): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
63 ft7 ft
Total Climb
95 ft
Total Descent
71 ft
Highest Point
63 ft
~244 mi in
Elevation Range
57 ft
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 Lauderdale Lakes, FL to Clearwater, FL, road signs begin pointing toward 54Th Avenue North Westbound 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 5h 3m. Total distance: 262.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 209.2 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.62 in tolls one way, starting with Sunshine Skyway Bridge. 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 0.2 miles (SR 816 / West Oakland Park Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 221 miles (I 275): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — De Soto National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.1 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.
