How far is Clearwater, FL from Fort Lauderdale, FL?
The driving distance from Clearwater, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL is about 269.7 miles (434.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 207.2 miles (333.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 00m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 04h 00m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
The most populous city in Lee County, Florida.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Clearwater and Fort Lauderdale.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clearwater and Fort Lauderdale.
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1
Start on North Fort Harrison Avenue
840 ft · 27 sec · North Fort Harrison Avenue
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2
Turn right onto Drew Street
4.2 mi · 8 min · Drew Street
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3
Take the ramp slight right
60 m · 5 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Southbound Frontage Road
108 m · 9 sec · Southbound Frontage Road
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5
Take the exit straight toward US 19 South
1276 ft · 31 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto US Highway 19 North
5.7 mi · 8 min · US Highway 19 North
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7
Keep slight left to continue on US Highway 19 North
4.4 mi · 6 min · US Highway 19 North
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8
Continue on 34th Street North
2973 ft · 1 min · 34th Street North
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9
Turn left onto 54th Avenue North
1.4 km · 2 min · 54th Avenue North
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10
Take the ramp slight right toward I 275 South
1286 ft · 31 sec
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11
Merge slight left
10.1 mi · 12 min
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12
Keep slight left
1406 ft · 17 sec
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13
Merge slight right onto Sunshine Skyway Bridge
13.4 mi · 15 min · Sunshine Skyway Bridge
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14
Keep slight left to continue on I 75 South: Naples
1.1 mi · 2 min
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15
Merge slight left
28 mi · 30 min
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16
Keep slight left
181.3 mi · 3 hr 14 min
-
17
Keep slight right to continue on Port Everglades Expressway
10.1 mi · 12 min · Port Everglades Expressway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward SR 84 East: Marina Mile Boulevard
1302 ft · 32 sec
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19
Turn straight onto I 595 East, SR 84 East
991 ft · 19 sec
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20
Keep slight left to continue on SR 84 East
2 mi · 4 min
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21
Keep slight right to continue on Marina Boulevard
1.6 mi · 3 min · Marina Boulevard
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22
Turn left onto Southwest 4th Avenue
2736 ft · 1 min · Southwest 4th Avenue
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23
Turn right onto Southwest 17th Street
1594 ft · 34 sec · Southwest 17th Street
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24
Continue on Southeast 17th Street
780 ft · 25 sec · Southeast 17th Street
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25
Turn left onto Southeast 3rd Avenue
1.5 mi · 3 min · Southeast 3rd Avenue
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26
Turn left onto East Broward Boulevard
988 ft · 35 sec · East Broward Boulevard
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Broward Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Clearwater and Fort Lauderdale.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 75 South
Keep slight left
181 mi · 03h 14m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Clearwater and Mostly Sunny near Fort Lauderdale.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Clearwater to Fort Lauderdale?
The road trip is about 269.7 miles (434.1 km) and usually takes 04h 00m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Fort Myers is a useful midpoint, sitting about 133.8 miles from Clearwater and 136 miles from Fort Lauderdale.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 207.2 miles (333.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 62.5 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:00 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.49 one way or $78.98 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 84.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Clearwater and Mostly Sunny near Fort Lauderdale.
Stop Ideas Near Fort Myers
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Fort Myers.
Fort Myers, Florida
Port Charlotte, Florida
Sebring
Sarasota, Florida
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Clearwater and Fort Lauderdale. Straight-line distance: 207.24 mi (333.52 km).
#1 Clearwater
The second most populous city in Pinellas County, Florida.
| Population | 116,552 |
| Coordinates | 27.9658500, -82.8001000 |
| Altitude | 9 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Fort Lauderdale
The second most populous city in Broward County, Florida.
| Population | 184,245 |
| Coordinates | 26.1223100, -80.1433800 |
| Altitude | 1 |
| Country | United States |
End: East Broward Boulevard (-80.143382, 26.122355)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 434 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 59m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 44m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 23m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 29m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 51m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $39.49 | $78.98 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $43.75 | $87.51 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $46.61 | $93.22 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $41.41 | $82.82 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Florida · May 06, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.