How far is Gainesville, FL from Clearwater, FL?
The driving distance from Gainesville, FL to Clearwater, FL is about 151.5 miles (243.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 120 miles (193.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 56m 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 28m.
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 Gainesville and Clearwater.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gainesville and Clearwater.
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1
Start on South Main Street
2510 ft · 1 min · South Main Street
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2
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Main Street
45 m · 3 sec · South Main Street
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3
Exit the roundabout onto South Main Street
1332 ft · 33 sec · South Main Street
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4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward South Main Street
18 m · 1 sec · South Main Street
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5
Exit the roundabout onto South Main Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · South Main Street
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6
Turn right onto Southwest Williston Road
2572 ft · 54 sec · Southwest Williston Road
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7
Turn left onto South Main Street
807 ft · 23 sec · South Main Street
-
8
Turn straight
2000 ft · 34 sec
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9
Continue straight
7 mi · 8 min
-
10
Continue straight
3212 ft · 47 sec
-
11
Turn right onto Southeast County Road 234
1.4 mi · 3 min · Southeast County Road 234
-
12
Take the ramp left toward I 75 South: Tampa
1148 ft · 28 sec
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13
Merge slight left
99.6 mi · 1 hr 47 min
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward I 275 South: Tampa, Saint Petersburg
799 ft · 10 sec
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15
Continue on I 275 South: Airport, Tampa, Saint Petersburg
10.8 mi · 12 min
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward FL 580: Busch Boulevard
1613 ft · 40 sec
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17
Turn right onto East Busch Boulevard
989 ft · 23 sec · East Busch Boulevard
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18
Turn left onto North Florida Avenue
2827 ft · 1 min · North Florida Avenue
-
19
Turn right onto West Waters Avenue
5.1 mi · 9 min · West Waters Avenue
-
20
Take the ramp straight
2594 ft · 1 min
-
21
Merge slight left onto Veterans Expressway
3.3 mi · 4 min · Veterans Expressway
-
22
Take the exit slight right toward FL 60 West: Clearwater
2141 ft · 52 sec
-
23
Continue on Clearwater
9.1 mi · 12 min
-
24
Continue on Gulf to Bay Boulevard
4.7 mi · 9 min · Gulf to Bay Boulevard
-
25
Continue on Court Street
1.5 mi · 4 min · Court Street
-
26
Turn right onto South Ft Harrison Avenue
1297 ft · 44 sec · South Ft Harrison Avenue
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Fort Harrison Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Gainesville and Clearwater.
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
Merge slight left
99.6 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 Gainesville and Partly Sunny near Clearwater.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Gainesville to Clearwater?
The road trip is about 151.5 miles (243.8 km) and usually takes 02h 28m 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 74.7 miles from Gainesville and 76.8 miles from Clearwater.
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 31.5 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:34 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 Gainesville and Partly Sunny near Clearwater.
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 Gainesville and Clearwater. Straight-line distance: 119.97 mi (193.08 km).
#1 Gainesville
The third most populous city in Florida.
| Population | 135,004 |
| Coordinates | 29.6516300, -82.3248300 |
| Altitude | 54 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Clearwater
The second most populous city in Pinellas County, Florida.
| Population | 116,552 |
| Coordinates | 27.9658500, -82.8001000 |
| Altitude | 9 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Fort Harrison Avenue (-82.799962, 27.965851)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 244 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 02m |
| 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 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.