How far is Clearwater, FL from Lakeside, FL?

The driving distance from Clearwater, FL to Lakeside, FL is about 197.3 miles (317.5 km), with a travel time of about 04h 11m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 162 miles (260.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 23m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
197.31 mi
04h 11m
Flight
162 mi
260.71 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Clearwater.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
162 mi
Kilometers
260.71 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
197.31 mi
Kilometers
317.54 km
Drive Time
04h 11m

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 11m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lakeside
Thu, Apr 23, 9:04 AM EDT
Return by in Clearwater
Thu, Apr 23, 1:16 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Clearwater
2026-04-23T04:52
Arrive Lakeside
Thu, Apr 23, 9:04 AM EDT
Route Timing
04h 11m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:12 AM to 12:12 PM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
8:36 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Clearwater
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Wildwood
FL

Human settlement in Sumter County, Florida, United States of America

From Clearwater
98.9 mi
02h 05m
To Lakeside
98.5 mi
02h 05m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
9 mph SSE
Destination
85°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 12 mph SE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Clearwater and Lakeside.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Clearwater and Lakeside.

  1. 1

    Start on North Fort Harrison Avenue

    840 ft · 27 sec · North Fort Harrison Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Drew Street

    4.2 mi · 8 min · Drew Street

  3. 3

    Take the ramp slight right

    60 m · 5 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto Southbound Frontage Road

    2092 ft · 49 sec · Southbound Frontage Road

  5. 5

    Continue straight

    115 m · 8 sec

  6. 6

    Take the exit left

    71 m · 6 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight right onto Gulf to Bay Boulevard

    1.9 mi · 4 min · Gulf to Bay Boulevard

  8. 8

    Continue on Courtney Campbell Causeway

    8.2 mi · 11 min · Courtney Campbell Causeway

  9. 9

    Continue straight

    1.3 km · 1 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on FL 60 East, FL 616: Tampa International Airport, Spruce Street

    1.1 km · 59 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on Memorial Highway

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Memorial Highway

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward I 275 North: Tampa

    1333 ft · 46 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto I 275: Tampa

    21.4 mi · 27 min

  14. 14

    Merge slight left

    82.3 mi · 1 hr 28 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward FL 326

    1315 ft · 32 sec

  16. 16

    Turn slight right

    44 m · 5 sec

  17. 17

    Turn slight right

    1.1 mi · 2 min

  18. 18

    Continue on Northwest 70th Street

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Northwest 70th Street

  19. 19

    Turn left

    5.5 mi · 7 min

  20. 20

    Turn straight onto North US 301: Starke

    20.5 mi · 26 min

  21. 21

    Turn straight onto County Road 219A

    6.5 mi · 9 min · County Road 219A

  22. 22

    At the end of the road, turn right

    1.4 mi · 3 min

  23. 23

    Turn left

    37.7 mi · 55 min

  24. 24

    Turn right onto Parkridge Avenue

    1198 ft · 53 sec · Parkridge Avenue

  25. 25

    Turn right onto College Drive

    978 ft · 24 sec · College Drive

  26. 26

    Turn left onto Peoria Road

    1305 ft · 43 sec · Peoria Road

  27. 27

    Turn left onto Moody Avenue

    928 ft · 27 sec · Moody Avenue

  28. 28

    Turn right onto Parkside Avenue

    103 m · 19 sec · Parkside Avenue

  29. 29

    Turn left onto Harden Road

    68 m · 10 sec · Harden Road

  30. 30

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Harden Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Clearwater and Lakeside.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
30 steps
14 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
4 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 275
104 mi · 53%
North US 301
20.5 mi · 10%
Courtney Campbell Causeway
9.04 mi · 5%
County Road 219A
6.54 mi · 3%
Drew Street
4.27 mi · 2%
Gulf to Bay Boulevard
1.94 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 275

Merge slight left

82.3 mi · 01h 28m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 11m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+35.3 mi
162 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Wildwood
02h 05m from Clearwater
Leave By
8:36 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Clearwater and Sunny near Lakeside.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Clearwater to Lakeside?

The road trip is about 197.3 miles (317.5 km) and usually takes 04h 11m 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?

Wildwood is a useful midpoint, sitting about 98.9 miles from Clearwater and 98.5 miles from Lakeside.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 162 miles (260.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.3 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 8:36 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.87 one way or $57.74 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Clearwater and Sunny near Lakeside.

Stop Ideas Near Wildwood

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Wildwood and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 8.9 mi away

Belleview City Hall Park

Belleview , FL
SE Abshier Blvd, Belleview, FL 34420, United States
Rating 4.6/5 20 reviews Tourist attraction,Park
City of Belleview
Meeting point 8.9 mi away

City of Belleview

Belleview , FL
5343 SE Abshier Blvd, Belleview, FL 34420
Rating 3.6/5 19 reviews City Hall

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Wildwood.

OTHER

Wildwood, Florida

601 North Main Street
BUS

The Villages-Lady Lake, FL

13 mi away
401 North US Highway 441
BUS

Ocala, Florida

38 mi away
531 Northeast First Ave
OTHER

Dade City, Florida

57 mi away
14218 US Highway 98

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Clearwater and Lakeside. Straight-line distance: 162 mi (260.71 km).

Clearwater

#1 Clearwater

The second most populous city in Pinellas County, Florida.

Population116,552
Coordinates27.9658500, -82.8001000
Altitude9
CountryUnited States
Lakeside

#2 Lakeside

Small town in Navajo County

Population30,943
Coordinates30.1299600, -81.7681500
Altitude20
CountryUnited States
Start: Clearwater (-82.8001, 27.96585)
End: Lakeside (-81.76815, 30.12996)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 318 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 34m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 55m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 56m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 17m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 49m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 27m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.96 gal
26.36 L · about $28.87
Round trip
$57.74
13.92 gal · 52.72 L
Estimated CO2
61.9 kg one way
Round trip: 123.7 kg / 273 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.15 $28.87 $57.74
Mid-grade $4.60 $31.99 $63.98
Premium $4.90 $34.08 $68.15
Diesel $4.35 $30.28 $60.55

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Clearwater and Lakeside. The current time is 04:52:42.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.