How far is Lake City, FL from Clearwater, FL?
The driving distance from Lake City, FL to Clearwater, FL is about 193.4 miles (311.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 154 miles (247.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 12m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 06m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Human settlement in Sumter County, Florida, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lake City and Clearwater.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake City and Clearwater.
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1
Start on the route
12 m · 5 sec
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2
Turn right onto Northwest Main Boulevard
106 m · 14 sec · Northwest Main Boulevard
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3
Continue on Northwest Main Boulevard
1.4 mi · 3 min · Northwest Main Boulevard
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4
Keep slight right to continue on Southwest State Road 47
3.8 mi · 6 min · Southwest State Road 47
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5
Turn left onto I 75 South: Tampa
1165 ft · 29 sec
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6
Merge slight left
148.5 mi · 2 hr 39 min
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7
Keep slight right to continue on I 275 South: Tampa, Saint Petersburg
11 mi · 12 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward FL 580: Busch Boulevard
1613 ft · 40 sec
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9
Turn right onto East Busch Boulevard
989 ft · 23 sec · East Busch Boulevard
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10
Turn left onto North Florida Avenue
2827 ft · 1 min · North Florida Avenue
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11
Turn right onto West Waters Avenue
5.1 mi · 9 min · West Waters Avenue
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12
Take the ramp straight
2594 ft · 1 min
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13
Merge slight left onto Veterans Expressway
3.3 mi · 4 min · Veterans Expressway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward FL 60 West: Clearwater
2141 ft · 52 sec
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15
Continue on Clearwater
9.1 mi · 12 min
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16
Continue on Gulf to Bay Boulevard
4.7 mi · 9 min · Gulf to Bay Boulevard
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17
Continue on Court Street
1.5 mi · 3 min · Court Street
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18
Turn right onto South Ft Harrison Avenue
1297 ft · 40 sec · South Ft Harrison Avenue
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Fort Harrison Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake City 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
148 mi · 02h 39m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Lake City and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Clearwater.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lake City to Clearwater?
The road trip is about 193.4 miles (311.3 km) and usually takes 03h 06m 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 95.7 miles from Lake City and 97.8 miles from Clearwater.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 154 miles (247.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 39.4 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 10:48 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.33 one way or $56.66 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 60.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Lake City and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Clearwater.
Stop Ideas Near Wildwood
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Belleview City Hall Park
Inverness Government Center
City of Belleview
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Wildwood.
Wildwood, Florida
The Villages-Lady Lake, FL
Ocala, Florida
Dade City, Florida
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lake City and Clearwater. Straight-line distance: 153.96 mi (247.77 km).
#1 Lake City
County seat of Columbia County, Florida, United States
| Population | 12,352 |
| Coordinates | 30.1896800, -82.6392900 |
| Altitude | 59 |
| 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: 311 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 26m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 50m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 52m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 13m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 24m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $28.33 | $56.66 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $31.39 | $62.78 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $33.44 | $66.88 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $29.71 | $59.42 |
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 · May 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.