Origin
Villas, FL
Morning in Villas on Tuesday
Local time
8:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Villas, FL to Clearwater, FL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 50m
Distance
141.2 mi
227 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 40m
★
6 AM
2h 51m
8 AM
3h 13m
10 AM
2h 58m
12 PM
2h 56m
3 PM
2h 59m
5 PM
3h 11m
8 PM
2h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Villas, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Clearwater, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Villas, FL to Clearwater, FL is 141.2 miles and takes about 2h 50m via I 75 and US Highway 19 North, with a fuel budget near $22 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, primarily on major highways. It’s a straightforward drive that’s well-suited for a single day, allowing you to maximize your time at your destination. You'll spend most of your time on the interstate, making it an efficient way to travel between these two points.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
70.6 miles from Villas, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 21m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 91.5 mi | 1h 38m |
| Sunshine Skyway Bridge | 19.5 mi | 22m |
| US Highway 19 North | 9.1 mi | 12m |
| I 275 | 5.7 mi | 7m |
| Ben C Pratt Six Mile Cypress Parkway | 4.9 mi | 7m |
| Gulf to Bay Boulevard | 2.7 mi | 5m |
| Daniels Parkway | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Court Street | 1.5 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 91.5 mi, about 1h 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Villas, FL and Clearwater, FL.
1
Start on Bell Tower Drive
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Bell Tower Drive
2
Turn left onto CR 876
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Daniels Parkway
Use the left lane.
3
Turn left onto CR 865
4.9 mi
·
7 min
·
Ben C Pratt Six Mile Cypress Parkway
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
Toward Colonial Boulevard East Bound
5
Keep slight left at fork
219 ft
·
8 sec
6
Merge onto FL 884
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
Colonial Boulevard
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 75 North: Tampa, I-75 North
Use the left lane.
8
Merge onto I 75
91 mi
·
1 hr 38 min
·
I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit onto I 275
5.7 mi
·
7 min
·
I 275
Exit 228
Toward I 275 North: Saint Petersburg
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
11
Merge onto I 275; US 19
19 mi
·
22 min
·
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 26B
Toward 54th Avenue North Westbound
Use the slight right lane.
13
Turn straight onto 54th Avenue North
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
54th Avenue North
Use the straight lane.
14
Turn right onto US 19
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
34th Street North
15
Continue on US 19
9.1 mi
·
12 min
·
US Highway 19 North
Use the left lane.
16
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
Toward FL 60: Seville Boulevard, Gulf To Bay
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on US 19 Northbound Frontage Road
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
US 19 Northbound Frontage Road
18
Continue on Northbound Frontage Road
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Northbound Frontage Road
19
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Use the left lane.
20
Continue on FL 60
2.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Gulf to Bay Boulevard
21
Continue on FL 60
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Court Street
Use the straight lane.
22
Turn right onto South Ft Harrison Avenue
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
South Ft Harrison Avenue
Use the right lane.
23
Arrive at destination
North Fort Harrison Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short drive time of under three hours, leaving in the morning is your best bet to get the most out of your day. You'll likely only need one brief stop, perhaps for fuel or a quick break, given the distance. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, as services can be more spread out on the bridge itself. The $22 fuel estimate suggests a budget-friendly trip, so you can focus on enjoying your arrival in Clearwater.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 70.6 miles from Villas, FL, or about 1h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91.5 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 31 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 70.6 miles or 1h 21m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 12m
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 Villas, 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 Villas, FL
This is one driving day of about 141.2 miles and 2h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Villas, 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 91.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
71 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 70.6 miles from Villas, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 91.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 7.6 and 136.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
7.6 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Take the exit toward I 75 North: Tampa, I-75 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 75 North: Tampa, I-75 North
7
99.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 52m 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
125 mi into trip
|
~2h 22m 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
135.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 39m 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
136.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 40m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.48 one way
$44.95 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
49 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $24.45 | $48.90 |
| premium | $4.72 | $26.26 | $52.51 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $31.18 | $62.35 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.36
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
(19.5 mi)
$1.36
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
$22
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 42.4 | 0 | $14.83 | $6.78 |
| Efficient EV | 35.3 | 0 | $12.35 | $5.65 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 56.5 | 0 | $19.77 | $9.04 |
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (65% 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.
Destination
Clearwater, FL
Morning in Clearwater on Tuesday
Local time
8:01 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
11 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 50m 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?
About 80% of this drive is on highways, meaning you'll be on I 75 for a significant portion. The longest continuous stretch on the interstate is 91.5 miles, so expect long-distance cruising before transitioning to surface roads. Once you leave the interstate, you'll be on US Highway 19 North, which will likely have a higher density of exits and local traffic as you approach Clearwater.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 91.5 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 7.6 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 16 significant decision points across 141.2 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 7.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 99.5 miles (I 275): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 125 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Villas, FL to Clearwater, FL, road signs begin pointing toward 54Th Avenue North Westbound along the way.
54Th Avenue North Westbound
125 mi in
|
~2h 22m
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 50m. Total distance: 141.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 91.5 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.36 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.
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 7.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 99.5 miles (I 275): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 125 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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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