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Trip from Southchase, FL to Clearwater, FL

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 4m

Distance

99 mi

159 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$16

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min
4 AM
1h 56m ★
6 AM
2h 4m
8 AM
2h 22m
10 AM
2h 11m
12 PM
2h 9m
3 PM
2h 11m
5 PM
2h 21m
8 PM
1h 59m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Southchase, FL, FL

Southchase, FL

DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ

county seat of Pinellas County, Florida, United States

Clearwater, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 99-mile drive from Southchase, FL to Clearwater, FL is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 4 minutes to complete. You'll primarily be on I-4, with some sections of FL 60 and the Southern Connector Extension. With a projected fuel cost of around $16, this is an economical journey. The route offers a straightforward, highway-focused experience, making it a practical choice for a quick transition between two Florida locations. It's a good option if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without significant detours.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

49.5 miles from Southchase, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 58m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 4 60.6 mi 1h 6m
FL 60 9.3 mi 12m
Southern Connector Extension 8.2 mi 9m
I 275 4.8 mi 6m
Gulf to Bay Boulevard 4.7 mi 9m
Central Florida GreeneWay 4.3 mi 4m
West Wetherbee Road 1.6 mi 4m
Court Street 1.5 mi 3m
Longest stretch: I 4 — 60.6 mi, about 1h 6m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Southchase, FL and Clearwater, FL.

1

Start on West Wetherbee Road

0.1 mi · 27 sec · West Wetherbee Road
2

Continue on West Wetherbee Road

1.5 mi · 3 min · West Wetherbee Road
3

Turn left onto US 17; US 92; US 441

0.8 mi · 1 min · South Orange Blossom Trail
Use the left lane.
4

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min
5

Merge onto FL 417 Toll

4.3 mi · 4 min · Central Florida GreeneWay
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Keep slight left at fork onto FL 417 Toll

8.2 mi · 9 min · Southern Connector Extension
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Merge onto I 4

61 mi · 1 hr 6 min · I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 40 sec
Toward I 275 South: Tampa International Airport, Saint Petersburg Use the slight left lane.
9

Merge onto I 275

4.8 mi · 6 min · I 275
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Exit 39 Toward FL 60 West: Tampa International Airport, Clearwater Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Merge onto FL 60

0.4 mi · 35 sec · Memorial Highway
Toward FL 60, FL 589 Toll: Tampa International Airport, Clearwater
12

Keep slight left at fork onto FL 589 Toll

0.9 mi · 1 min · Veterans Expressway
Toward FL 589 Toll Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 49 sec
Exit 2A Toward FL 60 West: Clearwater Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Continue on FL 60

9.3 mi · 12 min · FL 60
Toward FL 60: Clearwater Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Continue on FL 60

4.7 mi · 9 min · Gulf to Bay Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
16

Continue on FL 60

1.5 mi · 3 min · Court Street
Use the straight lane.
17

Turn right onto South Ft Harrison Avenue

0.2 mi · 39 sec · South Ft Harrison Avenue
Use the right lane.
18

Arrive at destination

North Fort Harrison Avenue

Trip Plan

For this 2-hour drive, starting your journey in the morning can help you avoid potential afternoon traffic. Since it's a relatively short trip at just 99 miles, you have a lot of flexibility with stops. The longest stretch without a major road change is over 60 miles on I-4, so plan for a fuel or rest break before or after this segment if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $16. A practical tip for this route is to check live traffic conditions on I-4 before you depart, as it can be a busy corridor.

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 49.5 miles from Southchase, FL, or about 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60.6 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 22 miles or 28m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 49.5 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 35m

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 Southchase, 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 Southchase, FL

This is one driving day of about 99 miles and 2h 4m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Southchase, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 4 for about 60.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

census-designated place in Hillsborough County, Florida, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Mango, FL

50 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.

Popular next leg

Mango, FL to Clearwater, FL

32.3 mi · 50m

Pacing Suggestions

Haines City, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lakeland, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 49.5 miles from Southchase, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 4 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 60.6 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · final third

Retro House Coffee Bar & Asian Bistro

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tampa, Florida

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third · 27min to go 1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 7:30 am–9 pm

+18138125025

Visit website

XO Coffee Shop

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kissimmee, Florida

1.6 mi

Southie Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Clearwater, Florida

1.8 mi

Best coffee break · final third

The Lab Coffee - West Tampa

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tampa, Florida

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third · 27min to go 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

Visit website

World of Coffee

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Orlando, Florida

1 mi

Elevation Coffee Heights

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tampa, Florida

1.4 mi

Retro House Coffee Bar & Asian Bistro

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 7:30 am–9 pm

+18138125025

Visit website

XO Coffee Shop

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Kissimmee, Florida

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+14075075607

Visit website

Southie Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Clearwater, Florida

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+17276213888

Visit website

Yacht StarShip Cruises & Events

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour Moderately

Clearwater, Florida

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+18132237999

Visit website

CFS Coffee For The Soul, Celebration

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Kissimmee, Florida

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+14072719145

Visit website

The Coffee Mill

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour Inexpensiv

Largo, Florida

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+17272238595

Visit website

The Lab Coffee - West Tampa

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

Visit website

World of Coffee

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Orlando, Florida

Hours: 8:30 am–9 pm

+14072399262

Elevation Coffee Heights

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

Visit website

Café Vino Tinto

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Safety Harbor, Florida

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+17274223994

Visit website

The Lab Coffee - Heights

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+18138436588

Visit website

DI Coffee Bar

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+18139155998

Visit website

22nd Street Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+18133040373

Visit website

Castro's Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Polk City, Florida

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+13524670378

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour

Clearwater, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Ionna Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

Largo, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18334662474

Visit website

bp pulse Charging Station

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Clearwater, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18332778573

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Clearwater, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Clearwater, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

2.4 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour

Clearwater, Florida

+19549249779

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.1 mi from route

Clearwater, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.1 mi from route

Clearwater, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Cracker Country

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Tampa, Florida

+18136274225

Visit website

Perry Harvey Sr. Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+18132748615

Visit website

Magic Carpet Glide

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+18136379797

Visit website

Dare 2 Escape - Escape Room Games

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Kissimmee, Florida

Hours: 11:30 am–10:30 pm

+14075070018

Visit website

Clearwater Marine Aquarium

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Clearwater, Florida

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+17274411790

Visit website

The Florida Aquarium

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18132734000

Visit website

Iconic Tampa Bay

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+18132183498

Visit website

Cliff Stephens Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour

Clearwater, Florida

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+17275624800

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 7.2 and 82.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
7.2 mi into trip | ~11m in | FL 417 Toll / Southern Connector Extension

Keep slight left at fork onto FL 417 Toll / Southern Connector Extension

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
76 mi into trip | ~1h 27m 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
81.2 mi into trip | ~1h 35m 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
81.9 mi into trip | ~1h 36m 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
7
82.8 mi into trip | ~1h 37m in

Take the exit toward FL 60 West: Clearwater

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 2A Toward FL 60 West: Clearwater

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$15.76 one way

$31.52 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 35 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.40 $17.14 $34.28
premium $4.72 $18.41 $36.82
diesel $5.61 $21.86 $43.72

Estimated Tolls: $0.07

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

$16

Tolls

$0

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$41–$66

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 34.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 29.7 0 $10.40 $4.75
Efficient EV 24.8 0 $8.66 $3.96
EV Truck/SUV 39.6 0 $13.86 $6.34

Gas CO2

35 kg

EV CO2

12 kg (66% 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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026

Origin

Southchase, FL

Morning in Southchase on Tuesday

Local time

9:20 AM

EDT

Current temp

89°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Clearwater, FL

Morning in Clearwater on Tuesday

Local time

9:20 AM

EDT

Current temp

79°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.

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

10 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

2h 4m on the road

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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a largely highway-focused drive, with 76% of the journey utilizing major roadways like I-4. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a substantial 60.6 miles on I-4, so settle in for some consistent cruising. While the profile is predominantly highway, there are transitions onto FL 60 and the Southern Connector Extension, which may offer slight variations in scenery and speed. This route generally maintains a steady pace, designed for efficient travel rather than leisurely exploration.

76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 60.6 mi on I 4.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

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 around 7.2 miles in near FL 417 Toll / Southern Connector Extension.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 12 significant decision points across 99 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 7.2 miles (FL 417 Toll / Southern Connector Extension): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 76 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 81.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 Southchase, FL to Clearwater, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Petersburg along the way.

Saint Petersburg

76 mi in | ~1h 27m

About the Cities

Arriving in Clearwater, FL

Full guide →

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

  • • Belleview-Biltmore Hotel — hotel in Clearwater, United States of America
  • • Donald Roebling Estate — historic residential estate in Clearwater, within Pinellas County, FL

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 4m. Total distance: 99 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 60.6 miles on I 4. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $0.07 in tolls one way, starting with Veterans Expressway. 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.

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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 7.2 miles (FL 417 Toll / Southern Connector Extension): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 76 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 81.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Clearwater, FL before heading back.

How this page is built

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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