How far is Clearwater, FL from Ruskin, FL?
The driving distance from Clearwater, FL to Ruskin, FL is about 44.2 miles (71.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 28.1 miles (45.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 16m 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 01h 08m.
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.
The third most populous city in Florida and the center of the Tampa metropolitan area.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Clearwater and Ruskin.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clearwater and Ruskin.
-
1
Start on North Fort Harrison Avenue
840 ft · 27 sec · North Fort Harrison Avenue
-
2
Turn right onto Drew Street
4.2 mi · 8 min · Drew Street
-
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
-
5
Continue straight
115 m · 8 sec
-
6
Take the exit left
71 m · 6 sec
-
7
Merge slight right onto Gulf to Bay Boulevard
1.9 mi · 4 min · Gulf to Bay Boulevard
-
8
Continue on Courtney Campbell Causeway
8.2 mi · 11 min · Courtney Campbell Causeway
-
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
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward I 275 North: Tampa
1333 ft · 46 sec
-
13
Merge slight left onto I 275: Tampa
4.2 mi · 6 min
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown East, Downtown West
118 m · 9 sec
-
15
Keep slight left to continue on Downtown East, Scott Street
843 ft · 21 sec
-
16
Continue on Scott Street
1624 ft · 37 sec · Scott Street
-
17
Turn slight right onto North Orange Avenue
1425 ft · 52 sec · North Orange Avenue
-
18
Turn sharp left onto East Cass Street
1592 ft · 39 sec · East Cass Street
-
19
Turn right onto North Nebraska Avenue
897 ft · 30 sec · North Nebraska Avenue
-
20
Take the ramp sharp left
808 ft · 23 sec
-
21
Merge slight left onto Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
2.8 mi · 4 min · Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
-
22
Take the exit slight right toward US 41: 50th Street
1425 ft · 35 sec
-
23
Turn right onto South 50th Street
3.9 mi · 6 min · South 50th Street
-
24
Continue on Tamiami Trail
13.4 mi · 20 min · Tamiami Trail
-
25
Turn left onto Shell Point Road East
78 m · 14 sec · Shell Point Road East
-
26
Turn left
16 m · 4 sec
-
27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Clearwater and Ruskin.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Tamiami Trail
Continue on Tamiami Trail
13.4 mi · 00h 20m
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 Mostly Sunny near Ruskin.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Clearwater to Ruskin?
The road trip is about 44.2 miles (71.2 km) and usually takes 01h 08m 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?
Tampa is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22.1 miles from Clearwater and 22.1 miles from Ruskin.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 28.1 miles (45.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.1 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 4:14 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.47 one way or $12.94 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Clearwater and Mostly Sunny near Ruskin.
Stop Ideas Near Tampa
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 Tampa.
Union Station
St Petersburg-Pinellas Park-Clearwater, Florida
Lakeland
Lakeland
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Clearwater and Ruskin. Straight-line distance: 28.09 mi (45.21 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 Ruskin
Census-designated place in Hillsborough County, Florida
| Population | 17,208 |
| Coordinates | 27.7208600, -82.4331500 |
| Altitude | 1 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ruskin (-82.43315, 27.72086)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 71 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 33m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $6.47 | $12.94 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $7.17 | $14.34 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $7.64 | $15.28 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $6.79 | $13.57 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.