Riviera Beach to Clearwater is 223 miles and takes about 4 hours 38 minutes via Florida's Turnpike and I-4, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, taking you across the state's interior. The majority of this route is on major highways, making it a straightforward drive. It's a good option if you're looking for a direct path from the Atlantic coast to the Gulf coast, with most of the driving completed in under five hours.
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
111.7 miles from Riviera Beach, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
86 mi
1h 32m
FL 60
70.9 mi
1h 31m
I 4
25.7 mi
28m
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
Bee Line Highway
2.4 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 86 mi, about 1h 32m
Traffic on I-4
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 26 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,480 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~567 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 44 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 Riviera Beach, FL and Clearwater, FL.
1
Start on West 15th Street
0.2 mi·56 sec·West 15th Street
2
Turn left onto Avenue H
0.1 mi·29 sec·Avenue H
3
Turn right onto West 13th Street
0.6 mi·1 min·West 13th Street
4
Turn left onto Australian Avenue
0.3 mi·41 sec·Australian Avenue
5
Turn right onto FL 710
2.3 mi·4 min·Dr Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
6
Continue on FL 710
2.4 mi·3 min·Bee Line Highway
7
Turn right onto North Jog Road
0.2 mi·24 sec·North Jog Road
8
Take the ramp
503 ft·12 sec
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll
9
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·14 sec·this road
Toward Florida's Turnpike North, Florida's Turnpike South
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll North, OrlandoUse the straight lane.
11
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
86 mi·1 hr 32 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 193Toward US 441, FL 60: Yeehaw Junction
13
Keep slight right at fork
245 ft·6 sec
Use the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto FL 60
62 mi·1 hr 19 min·FL 60
Use the left lane.
15
Turn left onto US 98; FL 60
0.6 mi·1 min·Van Fleet Drive
Use the left lane.
16
Turn right onto US 98
0.6 mi·1 min·Broadway Avenue
Use the right lane.
17
Continue on US 98
7.0 mi·9 min·Bartow Road
Use the left lane.
18
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward FL 570 Toll West: Polk Parkway WestUse the right lane.
19
Merge onto FL 570 Toll
9.9 mi·11 min·Polk Parkway
Use the right lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork
1.1 mi·2 min
Toward I 4 West: TampaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto I 4
26 mi·28 min·I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·40 sec
Toward I 275 South: Tampa International Airport, Saint PetersburgUse the slight left lane.
23
Merge onto I 275
4.8 mi·6 min·I 275
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 39Toward FL 60 West: Tampa International Airport, ClearwaterUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Merge onto FL 60
0.4 mi·35 sec·Memorial Highway
Toward FL 60, FL 589 Toll: Tampa International Airport, Clearwater
26
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.
27
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Exit 2AToward FL 60 West: ClearwaterUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on FL 60
9.3 mi·12 min·FL 60
Toward FL 60: ClearwaterUse the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on FL 60
4.7 mi·9 min·Gulf to Bay Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
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
This drive can easily be completed in one day, so you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the morning should get you to Clearwater with plenty of daylight remaining. With a total drive time under five hours, you'll likely only need one brief stop for fuel or a restroom break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the longer 86-mile stretch on Florida's Turnpike, as services can sometimes be spread out on longer highway segments.
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 111.7 miles from Riviera Beach, FL, or about 2h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86 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 49 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 111.7 miles or 2h 10m 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 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 Riviera Beach, 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 Riviera Beach, FL
This is one driving day of about 223.3 miles and 4h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Riviera Beach, 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 Florida's Turnpike for about 86 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.3 and 206.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
6.3 mi into trip|~12m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Florida's Turnpike Toll North, Orlando
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll North, Orlando
7
173.6 mi into trip|~3h 31m 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
200.3 mi into trip|~4h 2m 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
205.5 mi into trip|~4h 9m 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
206.2 mi into trip|~4h 10m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.80 one way
$67.61 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg78 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$37.09
$74.18
premium
$4.55
$40.00
$80.00
diesel
$4.80
$42.16
$84.33
Estimated Tolls: $6.09
Florida's Turnpike
(86 mi)$6.02
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
$34
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
67
0
$23.45
$10.72
Efficient EV
55.8
0
$19.54
$8.93
EV Truck/SUV
89.3
1
$31.26
$14.29
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% 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
Riviera Beach, FL
Evening
in Riviera Beach on Monday
Local time
8:08 PM
EDT
Current temp
91°F
Partly Sunny
SE 12 mph11% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 3:41PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 3:23PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Destination
Clearwater, FL
Evening
in Clearwater on Monday
Local time
8:08 PM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
S 13 mph43% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 3:41PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 3:23PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
96°F
Eagle Lake, FL
112 mi in
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
4h 38m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect to spend about 89% of your time on the highway. Your longest continuous stretch without a major road change will be 86 miles on Florida's Turnpike. After the highway portions, you'll transition to surface roads for the remainder of your drive. The high highway percentage suggests a route with fewer intersections and potentially faster travel times for most of the trip.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 86 mi on Florida's Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and FL 60. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.3 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 25 significant decision points across 223.3 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 6.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 173.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 200.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
131 ft4 ft
Total Climb
162 ft
Total Descent
144 ft
Highest Point
131 ft
~175.5 mi in
Elevation Range
127 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 Riviera Beach, FL to Clearwater, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Petersburg along the way.
Riviera Beach is a city in Palm Beach County, Florida. It is a harbor city located along the shores of the Atlantic Ocean in Southeast Florida. The 75 degree weather is year around and makes the beaches great for sporting events.
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 4h 38m. Total distance: 223.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 86 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $6.09 in tolls one way, starting with Florida's Turnpike. 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 6.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 173.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 200.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Clearwater, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
