How far is Ruskin, FL from Clearwater, FL?
The driving distance from Ruskin, FL to Clearwater, FL is about 53.6 miles (86.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 03m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 28.1 miles (45.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 07m 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 03m.
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.
Mostly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ruskin and Clearwater.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ruskin and Clearwater.
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1
Start on the route
16 m · 6 sec
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2
Turn right onto Shell Point Road East
63 m · 10 sec · Shell Point Road East
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3
Turn right onto Tamiami Trail
13.4 mi · 20 min · Tamiami Trail
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4
Continue on South 50th Street
3.9 mi · 6 min · South 50th Street
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5
Turn left onto FL 618 Toll West: Tampa, Saint Petersburg
1547 ft · 38 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
1.3 km · 55 sec · Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 4 West: Tampa International Airport
1.5 mi · 3 min
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8
Merge slight right
1.1 mi · 1 min
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 275 South: Tampa International Airport, Saint Petersburg
2249 ft · 41 sec
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10
Merge slight left
4.8 mi · 7 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward FL 60 West: Tampa International Airport, Clearwater
1665 ft · 41 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Memorial Highway
2060 ft · 35 sec · Memorial Highway
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Veterans Expressway
1.5 km · 1 min · Veterans Expressway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward FL 60 West: Clearwater
2031 ft · 50 sec
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15
Continue on FL 60: Clearwater
9.3 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 Ruskin and Clearwater.
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
Turn right onto 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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Ruskin 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 Ruskin to Clearwater?
The road trip is about 53.6 miles (86.3 km) and usually takes 01h 03m 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 Ruskin and 31.6 miles from Clearwater.
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 25.5 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 4:22 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.84 one way or $15.68 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Ruskin and Partly Sunny near Clearwater.
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 Ruskin and Clearwater. Straight-line distance: 28.09 mi (45.21 km).
#1 Ruskin
Census-designated place in Hillsborough County, Florida
| Population | 17,208 |
| Coordinates | 27.7208600, -82.4331500 |
| Altitude | 1 |
| 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: 86 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 47m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 04m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $7.84 | $15.68 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $8.69 | $17.37 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $9.25 | $18.51 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $8.22 | $16.44 |
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.