How far is Clearwater, FL from New Smyrna Beach, FL?

The driving distance from Clearwater, FL to New Smyrna Beach, FL is about 161 miles (259.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 17m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 135.3 miles (217.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 34m 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
160.97 mi
03h 17m
Flight
135.27 mi
217.7 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
135.27 mi
Kilometers
217.7 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
160.97 mi
Kilometers
259.06 km
Drive Time
03h 17m

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 03h 17m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in New Smyrna Beach
Mon, Apr 27, 10:45 PM EDT
Return by in Clearwater
Tue, Apr 28, 2:02 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Clearwater
2026-04-27T19:28
Arrive New Smyrna Beach
Mon, Apr 27, 10:45 PM EDT
Route Timing
03h 17m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:17 AM to 11:17 AM EDT

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

Leave by
10:26 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
Loughman
FL

Census-designated place in Polk County, Florida

From Clearwater
80.5 mi
01h 38m
To New Smyrna Beach
80.5 mi
01h 38m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
71°F
Overnight

Partly Cloudy

Starts
Mon, Apr 27 4:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 mph NNW
Destination
67°F
Overnight

Partly Cloudy

Starts
Mon, Apr 27 5:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph N

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Clearwater and New Smyrna Beach.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Clearwater and New Smyrna Beach.

  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

    5.2 mi · 7 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward I 4 East: Orlando

    2472 ft · 42 sec

  15. 15

    Continue straight

    60.9 mi · 1 hr 7 min

  16. 16

    Keep slight left

    13.4 mi · 16 min

  17. 17

    Keep slight right

    43.3 mi · 50 min

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward FL 44: New Smyrna Beach, DeLand Historic District

    1037 ft · 25 sec

  19. 19

    Keep slight right to continue on FL 44 East: New Smyrna Beach

    1719 ft · 42 sec

  20. 20

    Turn straight onto East New York Avenue

    6.5 mi · 8 min · East New York Avenue

  21. 21

    Continue on State Road 44

    9.1 mi · 11 min · State Road 44

  22. 22

    Keep slight right to continue on State Road 44

    2.4 mi · 4 min · State Road 44

  23. 23

    Turn left

    58 m · 4 sec

  24. 24

    Turn slight right

    1.4 km · 2 min

  25. 25

    Turn left onto Dixie Freeway

    753 ft · 27 sec · Dixie Freeway

  26. 26

    Turn right

    68 m · 16 sec

  27. 27

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Clearwater and New Smyrna Beach.

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
27 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
3 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 4 East
118 mi · 73%
State Road 44
11.5 mi · 7%
Courtney Campbell Causeway
9.04 mi · 6%
East New York Avenue
6.48 mi · 4%
I 275
5.15 mi · 3%
Drew Street
4.27 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

I 4 East

Continue straight

60.9 mi · 01h 07m

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
03h 17m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+25.7 mi
135.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Loughman
01h 38m from Clearwater
Leave By
10:26 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Partly Cloudy leaving Clearwater and Partly Cloudy near New Smyrna Beach.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Clearwater to New Smyrna Beach?

The road trip is about 161 miles (259.1 km) and usually takes 03h 17m 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?

Loughman is a useful midpoint, sitting about 80.5 miles from Clearwater and 80.5 miles from New Smyrna Beach.

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

The direct path is about 135.3 miles (217.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.7 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:26 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.56 one way or $47.12 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Cloudy around Clearwater and Partly Cloudy near New Smyrna Beach.

Stop Ideas Near Loughman

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 Loughman and the surrounding midpoint area.
City Hall
Scenic stop 11.4 mi away

City Hall

Orlando , FL
4740 Caribbean Way, Orlando, FL 32836
Rating 4.5/5 2 reviews Tourist information center
Kissimmee City Hall
Meeting point 13.1 mi away

Kissimmee City Hall

Kissimmee , FL
101 Church St, Kissimmee, FL 34741
Rating 4.5/5 20 reviews City Hall
Celebration Town Hall
Nearby stop 6.2 mi away

Celebration Town Hall

Celebration , FL
851 Celebration Ave, Celebration, FL 34747
Rating 4.4/5 91 reviews Homeowners' association,Community center

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Kissimmee

17 mi away
111 East Dakin Ave.
RAIL

Winter Haven

31 mi away
1800 7th St SW
RAIL

Orlando Health/Amtrak

36 mi away
1400 Sligh Blvd.
RAIL

Lakeland

44 mi away
600 East Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Clearwater and New Smyrna Beach. Straight-line distance: 135.27 mi (217.7 km).

Clearwater

#1 Clearwater

The second most populous city in Pinellas County, Florida.

Population116,552
Coordinates27.9658500, -82.8001000
Altitude9
CountryUnited States
New Smyrna Beach

#2 New Smyrna Beach

City in Volusia County, Florida, United States

Population28,723
Coordinates29.0258200, -80.9270000
Altitude2
CountryUnited States
Start: Clearwater (-82.8001, 27.96585)
End: New Smyrna Beach (-80.927, 29.02582)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 259 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 21m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 01m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 13m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 40m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 17m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 00m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.68 gal
21.5 L · about $23.56
Round trip
$47.12
11.36 gal · 43 L
Estimated CO2
50.5 kg one way
Round trip: 101 kg / 223 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.15 $23.56 $47.12
Mid-grade $4.60 $26.11 $52.21
Premium $4.90 $27.81 $55.62
Diesel $4.35 $24.71 $49.42

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 27, 2026

There is no time difference between Clearwater and New Smyrna Beach. The current time is 19:28:53.

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.