North Lauderdale to Clearwater is 263.9 miles and takes about 5h 3m via I 75 and Sunshine Skyway Bridge, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, taking you from the southern part of the state up to the Gulf Coast. With 87% of the drive on highways, expect a fairly direct route, though the final stretch will transition to surface roads. Consider this an efficient way to cover ground if you're looking to reach the beaches of Clearwater without a lengthy overnight stay.
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
132 miles from North Lauderdale, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 29m 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
I 275
5.7 mi
7m
Sawgrass Expressway
5.3 mi
6m
Gulf to Bay Boulevard
2.7 mi
5m
West Commercial Boulevard
2.7 mi
4m
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 North Lauderdale, FL and Clearwater, FL.
1
Start on this road
155 ft·11 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto Kimberly Boulevard
64 ft·7 sec·Kimberly Boulevard
3
Continue on Kimberly Boulevard
0.7 mi·1 min·Kimberly Boulevard
4
At end of road, turn left onto Southwest 81st Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·Southwest 81st Avenue
5
Turn right onto West McNab Road
1.0 mi·1 min·West McNab Road
6
Turn left onto SR 817
1.0 mi·1 min·North University Drive
Use the left lane.
7
Turn right onto West Commercial Boulevard
2.7 mi·4 min·West Commercial Boulevard
Use the right lane.
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward SR 869 Toll South: Miami, Sawgrass Expressway
9
Merge onto SR 869 Toll
5.3 mi·6 min·Sawgrass Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
1.0 mi·2 min
Toward I 75 North: Alligator Alley, NaplesUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 595
0.1 mi·7 sec·I 595
12
Merge onto I 75
209 mi·3 hr 44 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
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.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·19 sec
15
Merge onto I 275; US 19
19 mi·22 min·Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 26BToward 54th Avenue North WestboundUse the slight right lane.
17
Turn straight onto 54th Avenue North
0.9 mi·1 min·54th Avenue North
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn right onto US 19
0.6 mi·1 min·34th Street North
19
Continue on US 19
9.1 mi·12 min·US Highway 19 North
Use the left lane.
20
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward FL 60: Seville Boulevard, Gulf To BayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on US 19 Northbound Frontage Road
0.4 mi·53 sec·US 19 Northbound Frontage Road
22
Continue on Northbound Frontage Road
0.2 mi·25 sec·Northbound Frontage Road
23
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Use the left lane.
24
Continue on FL 60
2.7 mi·5 min·Gulf to Bay Boulevard
25
Continue on FL 60
1.5 mi·3 min·Court Street
Use the straight lane.
26
Turn right onto South Ft Harrison Avenue
0.2 mi·39 sec·South Ft Harrison Avenue
Use the right lane.
27
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. Since it's a single-day trip, you can be flexible with your timing. The longest stretch without a major road change is over 200 miles on I 75, so plan for a fuel stop before you leave or early in that segment. While there's only one major stop listed, keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, as services can be more spaced out in some areas. This route is manageable in one go, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace, breaking it up with a lunch stop is easy.
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 132 miles from North Lauderdale, FL, or about 2h 29m 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 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132 miles or 2h 29m 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 59m
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 North Lauderdale, 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 North Lauderdale, FL
This is one driving day of about 263.9 miles and 5h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from North Lauderdale, 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 11.9 and 259.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
11.9 mi into trip|~19m 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
222.2 mi into trip|~4h 5m 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
247.7 mi into trip|~4h 36m 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
258.6 mi into trip|~4h 52m 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
6
259.3 mi into trip|~4h 54m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.95 one way
$79.90 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$43.83
$87.67
premium
$4.55
$47.27
$94.55
diesel
$4.80
$49.83
$99.66
Estimated Tolls: $1.79
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
(19.5 mi)$1.36
Sawgrass Expressway
(5.3 mi)$0.43
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
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.3 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
79.2
0
$27.71
$12.67
Efficient EV
66
0
$23.09
$10.56
EV Truck/SUV
105.6
1
$36.95
$16.89
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
North Lauderdale, FL
Late night
in North Lauderdale on Monday
Local time
2:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 3 mph4% 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
2:45 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
2 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
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 227.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend most of your time on highways, with 87% of the 263.9-mile route covered by them. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 209.2 miles, primarily on I 75. This means you'll encounter a good number of exits and potential traffic merging as you move between major arteries before transitioning to US Highway 19 North for the final leg. Expect a mostly highway driving experience for the bulk of the trip.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 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?
9/10
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 11.9 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 19 significant decision points across 263.9 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 11.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 222.2 miles (I 275): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 247.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
60 ft11 ft
Total Climb
80 ft
Total Descent
61 ft
Highest Point
60 ft
~245.1 mi in
Elevation Range
49 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 North Lauderdale, 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: 263.9 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 $1.79 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.
Yes — we found about 15 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 15 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 11.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 222.2 miles (I 275): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 247.7 miles: 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.
