Southie Coffee
Near the end, short detour
Clearwater, Florida
Hours: 7 am–3 pm
+17276213888
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 2m
Distance
96.6 mi
155 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Poinciana, FL
Ariel Sebasthian
Clearwater, FL
Wikimedia Commons
This straightforward 96.6-mile drive from Poinciana, FL to Clearwater, FL is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 2 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-4, with portions of FL 60 and Poinciana Parkway, the route is heavily highway-focused, making it efficient for getting you to your destination. With an estimated fuel cost of $15, this journey offers an economical way to travel across Florida. The drive is best suited for those who prefer direct travel with minimal detours, providing a clear path through the heart of the state. You'll find this route is a practical choice for a quick transition between these two Florida locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
48.3 miles from Poinciana, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 58m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 4 | 57.1 mi | 1h 2m |
| FL 60 | 9.3 mi | 12m |
| Poinciana Parkway | 7.2 mi | 8m |
| I 275 | 4.8 mi | 6m |
| Gulf to Bay Boulevard | 4.7 mi | 9m |
| Cypress Parkway | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| Ronald Reagan Parkway | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Court Street | 1.5 mi | 3m |
Step-by-step road directions between Poinciana, FL and Clearwater, FL.
Start on Divot Lane
Turn right onto Country Club Road
Turn left
Turn left onto Cypress Parkway
Turn right onto FL 538 Toll
Keep slight right at fork onto FL 538 Toll
Continue on Kinney Harmon Road
Continue on Ronald Reagan Parkway
Continue on Lake Wilson Road
Turn left onto CR 532
Turn slight left onto CR 532
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 4
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 275
Take the exit
Merge onto FL 60
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 589 Toll
Take the exit
Continue on FL 60
Continue on FL 60
Continue on FL 60
Turn right onto South Ft Harrison Avenue
Arrive at destination
Given the 2-hour duration, this route is perfectly suited for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Consider leaving in the morning to avoid potential afternoon traffic, especially as you approach the Clearwater area. With no designated stops, you can plan your own breaks as needed, perhaps at one of the many service areas along I-4. The estimated fuel cost of $15 suggests a budget-friendly trip, but it's always wise to keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 57.1-mile stretch on I-4. A practical tip is to ensure your vehicle is in good condition before you leave, as the majority of the drive is on high-speed highways.
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.
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 21 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.3 miles or 58m 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clearwater, FL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Poinciana, 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 Poinciana, FL
This is one driving day of about 96.6 miles and 2h 2m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
48 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 48.3 miles from Poinciana, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Best meal stop · home stretch
Clearwater, Florida
Near the end, short detour
Hours: 7 am–3 pm
+17276213888
Yacht StarShip Cruises & Events
Clearwater, Florida
Retro House Coffee Bar & Asian Bistro
Tampa, Florida
Best coffee break · final third
Tampa, Florida
Later in the drive, right off the route
Hours: 7 am–2 pm
Café Vino Tinto
Safety Harbor, Florida
Elevation Coffee Heights
Tampa, Florida
Near the end, short detour
Clearwater, Florida
Hours: 7 am–3 pm
+17276213888
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Clearwater, Florida
Hours: 8 am–8 pm
+18132237999
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Tampa, Florida
Hours: 7:30 am–9 pm
+18138125025
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Kissimmee, Florida
Hours: 7 am–7 pm
+14072719145
Visit websiteNear the end, ~10 min detour
Largo, Florida
Hours: 7 am–5 pm
+17272238595
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, ~12 min detour
Davenport, Florida
Hours: 6 am–6 pm
+18634193212
Visit websiteLater in the drive, right off the route
Tampa, Florida
Hours: 7 am–2 pm
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Safety Harbor, Florida
Hours: 7 am–3 pm
+17274223994
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Tampa, Florida
Hours: 8 am–2 pm
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Tampa, Florida
Hours: 7 am–2 pm
+18138436588
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Clearwater, Florida
Hours: 7 am–2 pm
+18135497426
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Tampa, Florida
Hours: 7 am–8 pm
+18139155998
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Tampa, Florida
Hours: 7 am–2 pm
+18133040373
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Polk City, Florida
Hours: 7 am–2 pm
+13524670378
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Clearwater, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18889982546
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Largo, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18334662474
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Clearwater, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18332778573
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Clearwater, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18889982546
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Clearwater, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18668167584
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Clearwater, Florida
+19549249779
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Clearwater, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18889982546
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Clearwater, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Tampa, Florida
+18136274225
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Clearwater, Florida
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+17274411790
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Plant City, Florida
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+18137179865
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Tampa, Florida
Hours: 7 am–10 pm
+18132748615
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Tampa, Florida
Hours: 9 am–9 pm
+18136379797
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Clearwater, Florida
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+17275624800
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Safety Harbor, Florida
Hours: 11 am–4 pm
+17277241552
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Tampa, Florida
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+18132734000
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 80.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto Country Club Road
Navigation decision point
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
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
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 589 Toll / Veterans Expressway toward FL 589 Toll
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward FL 60 West: Clearwater
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$15.38 one way
$30.75 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $16.73 | $33.45 |
| premium | $4.72 | $17.96 | $35.92 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.33 | $42.66 |
Estimated Tolls: $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
$15
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29 | 0 | $10.14 | $4.64 |
| Efficient EV | 24.2 | 0 | $8.45 | $3.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 38.6 | 0 | $13.52 | $6.18 |
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (68% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Poinciana on Tuesday
Local time
6:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Unavailable
Destination
Morning in Clearwater on Tuesday
Local time
6:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Expect a highway-centric experience for the majority of this 96.6-mile journey, with 87% of the drive taking place on major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 57.1 miles on I-4, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of your travel. While the primary focus is on efficient highway driving, you'll transition onto roads like FL 60 and the Poinciana Parkway, which may offer slight variations in the driving experience before rejoining the interstate. This profile suggests a drive that prioritizes speed and directness over winding scenic byways.
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 early in the drive near Country Club Road.
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 16 significant decision points across 96.6 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: near the start (Country Club Road): Navigation decision point; at 73.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 78.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Poinciana, FL to Clearwater, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Petersburg along the way.
Saint Petersburg
Founded 1891
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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 2m. Total distance: 96.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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