How far is Clearwater, FL from Gainesville, FL?
The driving distance from Clearwater, FL to Gainesville, FL is about 151.7 miles (244.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 29m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 120 miles (193.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 59m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 29m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Town in Florida, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Clearwater and Gainesville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clearwater and Gainesville.
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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
-
4
Merge slight left onto Southbound Frontage Road
2092 ft · 49 sec · Southbound Frontage Road
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5
Continue straight
115 m · 8 sec
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6
Take the exit left
71 m · 6 sec
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7
Merge slight right onto Gulf to Bay Boulevard
1.9 mi · 4 min · Gulf to Bay Boulevard
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8
Continue on Courtney Campbell Causeway
8.2 mi · 11 min · Courtney Campbell Causeway
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9
Continue straight
1.3 km · 1 min
-
10
Keep slight right to continue on FL 60 East, FL 616: Tampa International Airport, Spruce Street
1.1 km · 59 sec
-
11
Keep slight left to continue on Memorial Highway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Memorial Highway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 275 North: Tampa
1333 ft · 46 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto I 275: Tampa
21.4 mi · 27 min
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14
Merge slight left
99.5 mi · 1 hr 47 min
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward CR 234: Micanopy
1213 ft · 32 sec
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16
Turn right onto Southeast County Road 234
1.3 mi · 2 min · Southeast County Road 234
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17
Turn left
128 m · 15 sec
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18
Turn straight
8 mi · 10 min
-
19
Turn right onto Southwest Williston Road
2889 ft · 1 min · Southwest Williston Road
-
20
Turn left onto South Main Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · South Main Street
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21
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Main Street
28 m · 2 sec · South Main Street
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22
Exit the roundabout onto South Main Street
1317 ft · 32 sec · South Main Street
-
23
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Main Street
54 m · 4 sec · South Main Street
-
24
Exit the roundabout onto South Main Street
2512 ft · 1 min · South Main Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Clearwater and Gainesville.
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 275
Merge slight left
99.5 mi · 01h 47m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Partly Sunny leaving Clearwater and Partly Sunny near Gainesville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Clearwater to Gainesville?
The road trip is about 151.7 miles (244.1 km) and usually takes 02h 29m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Bushnell is a useful midpoint, sitting about 76 miles from Clearwater and 75.7 miles from Gainesville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 120 miles (193.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.7 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:30 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.19 one way or $44.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 47.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Clearwater and Partly Sunny near Gainesville.
Stop Ideas Near Bushnell
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 Bushnell.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Clearwater and Gainesville. Straight-line distance: 119.97 mi (193.08 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 Gainesville
The third most populous city in Florida.
| Population | 135,004 |
| Coordinates | 29.6516300, -82.3248300 |
| Altitude | 54 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Main Street (-82.32501, 29.65163)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 244 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 03m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 47m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 01m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 31m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 09m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 53m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $22.19 | $44.38 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $24.59 | $49.18 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $26.19 | $52.39 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $23.27 | $46.54 |
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 · Apr 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.