How far is New Smyrna Beach, FL from Clearwater, FL?
The driving distance from New Smyrna Beach, FL to Clearwater, FL is about 160.7 miles (258.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 135.3 miles (217.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 17m 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 38m.
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.
Census-designated place in Polk County, Florida
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Cloudy
Partly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between New Smyrna Beach and Clearwater.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New Smyrna Beach and Clearwater.
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1
Start on the route
24 m · 11 sec
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2
Turn left
11 m · 8 sec
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3
Turn left onto Washington Street
50 m · 6 sec · Washington Street
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4
Turn left onto North Dixie Freeway
919 ft · 32 sec · North Dixie Freeway
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5
Turn right onto Canal Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · Canal Street
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6
Continue on State Road 44
11.5 mi · 15 min · State Road 44
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7
Continue on East New York Avenue
6.7 mi · 8 min · East New York Avenue
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8
Take the ramp slight left toward I 4 West: Sanford
2500 ft · 1 min
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9
Merge slight left
23 mi · 26 min
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10
Keep slight right
10.4 mi · 13 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward Ivanhoe Boulevard
1699 ft · 44 sec
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12
Continue on I 4 West: Tampa
2550 ft · 1 min
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13
Continue on I 4 West: Tampa
1328 ft · 34 sec
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14
Merge slight left
83.2 mi · 1 hr 34 min
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15
Keep slight left to continue on I 275 South: Tampa International Airport, Saint Petersburg
2249 ft · 41 sec
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16
Merge slight left
4.8 mi · 7 min
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17
Take the exit slight right toward FL 60 West: Tampa International Airport, Clearwater
1665 ft · 41 sec
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18
Merge slight left onto Memorial Highway
2060 ft · 35 sec · Memorial Highway
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19
Keep slight left to continue on Veterans Expressway
1.5 km · 1 min · Veterans Expressway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward FL 60 West: Clearwater
2031 ft · 50 sec
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21
Continue on FL 60: Clearwater
9.3 mi · 12 min
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22
Continue on Gulf to Bay Boulevard
4.7 mi · 9 min · Gulf to Bay Boulevard
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23
Continue on Court Street
1.5 mi · 3 min · Court Street
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24
Turn right onto South Ft Harrison Avenue
1297 ft · 40 sec · South Ft Harrison Avenue
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Fort Harrison Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between New Smyrna Beach 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 4 West
Merge slight left
83.2 mi · 01h 34m
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 Cloudy leaving New Smyrna Beach and Partly Cloudy near Clearwater.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from New Smyrna Beach to Clearwater?
The road trip is about 160.7 miles (258.7 km) and usually takes 02h 38m 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?
Loughman is a useful midpoint, sitting about 80.3 miles from New Smyrna Beach and 80.5 miles from Clearwater.
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 25.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:12 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.52 one way or $47.04 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Cloudy around New Smyrna Beach and Partly Cloudy near Clearwater.
Stop Ideas Near Loughman
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall
Kissimmee City Hall
Celebration Town Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Loughman.
Kissimmee
Winter Haven
Orlando Health/Amtrak
Lakeland
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between New Smyrna Beach and Clearwater. Straight-line distance: 135.27 mi (217.7 km).
#1 New Smyrna Beach
City in Volusia County, Florida, United States
| Population | 28,723 |
| Coordinates | 29.0258200, -80.9270000 |
| Altitude | 2 |
| 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: 259 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 21m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 01m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 12m |
| 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.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $23.52 | $47.04 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $26.06 | $52.12 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $27.76 | $55.52 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $24.66 | $49.33 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.