How far is Panama City Beach, FL from Clearwater, FL?
The driving distance from Panama City Beach, FL to Clearwater, FL is about 353.2 miles (568.4 km), with a travel time of about 06h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 237.2 miles (381.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 49m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM CDT.
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 06h 24m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
City in Taylor County, Florida, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Panama City Beach and Clearwater.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Panama City Beach and Clearwater.
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1
Start on the route
18 m · 9 sec
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2
Turn left onto South Thomas Drive
146 m · 17 sec · South Thomas Drive
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3
Turn right onto Front Beach Road
2.7 mi · 5 min · Front Beach Road
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4
Merge slight left
1.9 mi · 3 min
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5
Take the exit slight right
1875 ft · 47 sec
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6
Turn straight onto West 23rd Street
5.3 mi · 9 min · West 23rd Street
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7
At the end of the road, turn left
113 m · 7 sec
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8
Continue straight
1.3 mi · 2 min
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9
Continue straight
21.2 mi · 27 min
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10
Turn right
49.9 mi · 1 hr 8 min
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11
Continue straight
30.8 mi · 42 min
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12
At the end of the road, turn left onto Coastal Highway
38.6 mi · 49 min · Coastal Highway
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13
Turn right onto Byron Butler Parkway
58.3 mi · 1 hr 14 min · Byron Butler Parkway
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14
Keep slight right
121.2 mi · 2 hr 47 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward FL 590: Northeast Coachman Road, Sunset Point Road
963 ft · 24 sec
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16
Turn straight onto US 19 Southbound Frontage Road
1.5 km · 2 min · US 19 Southbound Frontage Road
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17
Turn right onto Northeast Coachman Road
1.7 mi · 3 min · Northeast Coachman Road
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18
Turn slight right onto Drew Street
2.9 mi · 6 min · Drew Street
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19
Turn left onto North Fort Harrison Avenue
840 ft · 23 sec · North Fort Harrison Avenue
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Fort Harrison Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Panama City Beach and Clearwater.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Byron Butler Parkway
Keep slight right
121 mi · 02h 47m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Mostly Sunny leaving Panama City Beach 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 Panama City Beach to Clearwater?
The road trip is about 353.2 miles (568.4 km) and usually takes 06h 24m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Perry is a useful midpoint, sitting about 168.9 miles from Panama City Beach and 184.3 miles from Clearwater.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 237.2 miles (381.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 116 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 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $51.68 one way or $103.37 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 110.7 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Panama City Beach and Clearwater, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Panama City Beach and Partly Sunny near Clearwater.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Panama City Beach and Clearwater. Straight-line distance: 237.2 mi (381.73 km).
#1 Panama City Beach
City in the U.
| Population | 12,337 |
| Coordinates | 30.1765900, -85.8054900 |
| Altitude | 3 |
| 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: 568 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 49m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 03m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 02m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 24m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $51.68 | $103.37 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $57.27 | $114.53 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $61.00 | $122.01 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $54.20 | $108.40 |
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.