How far is Orlando from Clearwater? Planning a Perfect Day Trip

How far is Orlando from Clearwater? Clearwater has become one of the most highly voted tourist destinations on the Gulf Coast. It is famous for its remarkable sunsets, laid-back atmosphere, and family-friendly attractions. If you’re planning a beach getaway, you might be wondering about the distance between these two popular spots. The good news is it’s not that far. In this guide, we’ll break down the exact distance, travel time, estimated costs, and everything else you need to ensure your trip from Orlando to Clearwater is smooth and enjoyable.

Distance from Clearwater to Orlando

How far is Orlando from Clearwater – Full Distance Info

The overall driving distance from Orlando FL to Clearwater FL is 106 miles or 171 kilometers, depending on your route. Under normal circumstances, it takes you 2 to 2.5 hours from Orlando to Clearwater, depending on the route. The drive time will be affected by traffic conditions, weather conditions and other issues on the roads including road work, especially during weekends and holidays. Therefore, please make sure you plan accordingly.

Best Route to drive from Orlando to Clearwater

For Clearwater, Orlando airport presents various routes with different characteristics, so you can choose which road you want to take based on your necessities.

I-4 West

I-4 West is the quickest route between Orlando airport and I-275 South, which will lead you to the Howard Franklin Bridge into Clearwater, under normal traffic conditions it takes about 2 hours to Clearwater, however, during peak times, I-4 has traffic problems, so plan on not driving during peak times.

Florida’s Turnpike – I-75 South

An additional option for getting to Clearwater is the Florida Turnpike route. This route leads you to the south on I-75 and then exit off of the interstate onto a local highway that leads to Clearwater. This route has tolls involved, so make sure to have change or your SunPass handy. Compared to I-4 route it is a little long as it takes about 2-2.5 hours, but it is less congested during and around peak traffic times. Therefore, I recommend this route for peak traffic hours.

Alternate Routes

If you have more time and want to see the real beauty of Florida, then go to US-92 and highway 60 routes. These are more scenic routes that lead through small towns, lakes, and countryside that make your drive worthwhile. These are long routes as well taking about 3 hours to reach Clearwater, but may be perfect for road trippers wanting their drive to be the destination as well.

You may read about How Far Is Vero Beach From Orlando Airport?

Transportation Options from Orlando Airport to Clearwater Beach

Orlando International Airport is a major hub for travelers to similar destinations and has many modes of transport available to reach Clearwater. Let’s look at all the different options and their cost and time.

Rental car

For convenient and flexibility, a rental car service is the best mode of transport option. MCO has multiple car rental options available to suit you whether you are traveling with family or would like to stay in Clearwater. The overall travel time for a rental car is 2 hours under normal driving conditions. Cost of a rental car is approximately 30 – 100$ per day based on rental company, type of vehicle, and time of day.

Shuttle service

Shared shuttle service offers an affordable mode of transport from Orlando airport to Clearwater. The shuttle will cost approximately 30 – 50$ per person and will take approximately 2 – 2.5 hours to reach your destination.

Public transport

There is no public transport bus that will take you to Clearwater. Public transport will take a considerable amount of time to get to Clearwater, 4 – 4.5 hours. If you are on a very strict budget, (which is about 20 – 30$ per person) and you have a lot of time, you might consider public transport.

Train Services

There is no direct train service from Orlando to Clearwater. It does take you from Orlando airport to Tampa for 72-141$ which takes about 2 hrs 40 minutes. From Tampa you will need to take a taxi or transport service to Clearwater.

Luxury car service                                                     

Luxury car service offers a premium transport option suitable for those who want to travel in style and luxury. Our Luxury Black Car Service will lead you from Orlando airport to Clearwater in 2 hours in 150-300$ depending upon the type of vehicle and other facilities. Make sure to have an advance booking, it will help you to secure better rates.

Places to Visit Along Your Journey

If you are driving from Orlando to Clearwater, you will have access to numerous attractions along the way. First, Tampa has a beautiful Tampa Riverwalk, Busch Gardens, and other impressive dining options to stop at.

Second, Plant City is known for strawberries in the spring, while Lakeland also has beautiful scenery for those who love the beach.

Tips for smooth travel

Here is a list of tips for a smooth trip to follow

Don’t travel during the busiest traffic hours for Tampa and Orlando airports, which are every day from 7-10 am and 4-7 pm.
Use Google maps or Waze to monitor real-time traffic with updates.
Have some cash or Sunpass ready for the toll tax.
If traveling with family, don’t forget to bring water and snacks!

Final thoughts

How far is Orlando from Clearwater? Not so far. It typically takes you 2 to 2.5 hours to reach Clearwater under typical traffic conditions. Whether you are a business traveler, a tourist, or on a family trip, you should keep in mind all the routes and transport options for your ease. To make your journey smooth and stress-free, book your car service with Signature Luxury Transportation today.