How far is Winter Haven, FL from Clearwater, FL?
The driving distance from Winter Haven, FL to Clearwater, FL is about 72.9 miles (117.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 27m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 65.2 miles (105 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 55m 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 27m.
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.
Unincorporated community in Hillsborough County, 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 Winter Haven and Clearwater.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Winter Haven and Clearwater.
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1
Start on West Central Avenue
1359 ft · 43 sec · West Central Avenue
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2
At the end of the road, turn left onto Lake Howard Drive Southwest
2372 ft · 1 min · Lake Howard Drive Southwest
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3
Continue on South Lake Howard Drive
1919 ft · 59 sec · South Lake Howard Drive
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4
Turn left onto 15th Street Southwest
1982 ft · 57 sec · 15th Street Southwest
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5
At the end of the road, turn right onto North Lake Shipp Drive
1732 ft · 48 sec · North Lake Shipp Drive
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6
Turn right onto Avenue O Southwest
1296 ft · 45 sec · Avenue O Southwest
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7
At the end of the road, turn left onto Recker Highway
1133 ft · 21 sec · Recker Highway
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8
Continue straight
2086 ft · 43 sec
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9
Turn right onto Winter Lake Road
4.2 mi · 5 min · Winter Lake Road
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10
Continue on Winter Lake Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Winter Lake Road
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11
Take the ramp straight toward FL 570 Toll West: Polk Parkway West
1.2 mi · 3 min
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12
Keep slight left
1759 ft · 43 sec
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13
Merge slight right onto Polk Parkway
12.1 mi · 14 min · Polk Parkway
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14
Keep slight left to continue on I 4 West: Tampa
1.1 mi · 2 min
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15
Merge slight right
25.7 mi · 29 min
-
16
Keep slight left to continue on I 275 South: Tampa International Airport, Saint Petersburg
2249 ft · 41 sec
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17
Merge slight left
4.8 mi · 7 min
-
18
Take the exit slight right toward FL 60 West: Tampa International Airport, Clearwater
1665 ft · 41 sec
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19
Merge slight left onto Memorial Highway
2060 ft · 35 sec · Memorial Highway
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20
Keep slight left to continue on Veterans Expressway
1.5 km · 1 min · Veterans Expressway
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21
Take the exit slight right toward FL 60 West: Clearwater
2031 ft · 50 sec
-
22
Continue on FL 60: Clearwater
9.3 mi · 12 min
-
23
Continue on Gulf to Bay Boulevard
4.7 mi · 9 min · Gulf to Bay Boulevard
-
24
Continue on Court Street
1.5 mi · 3 min · Court Street
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25
Turn right onto South Ft Harrison Avenue
1297 ft · 40 sec · South Ft Harrison Avenue
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Fort Harrison Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Winter Haven 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 right
25.7 mi · 00h 29m
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 Winter Haven 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 Winter Haven to Clearwater?
The road trip is about 72.9 miles (117.3 km) and usually takes 01h 27m 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?
Seffner is a useful midpoint, sitting about 35.7 miles from Winter Haven and 37.2 miles from Clearwater.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 65.2 miles (105 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.7 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 3:34 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.66 one way or $21.32 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Winter Haven and Partly Sunny near Clearwater.
Stop Ideas Near Seffner
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 Seffner.
Union Station
Lakeland
Lakeland
Dade City, Florida
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Winter Haven and Clearwater. Straight-line distance: 65.23 mi (104.97 km).
#1 Winter Haven
The most populous city in Polk County, Florida.
| Population | 46,578 |
| Coordinates | 28.0222400, -81.7328600 |
| Altitude | 50 |
| 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: 117 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 49m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 02m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 54m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $10.66 | $21.32 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $11.81 | $23.62 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $12.58 | $25.17 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $11.18 | $22.36 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.