How Far Is It from Atlanta to Clearwater, Florida? A Practical Travel Guide

If you’re in Atlanta, Georgia and planning a beach escape to Clearwater, Florida, the first thing you’ll want to know is: how far is it, really, and what’s the easiest way to get there?

Below is a clear breakdown of distance, drive times, route options, and travel tips tailored specifically for Atlanta residents and visitors.

How Far Is Clearwater, Florida from Atlanta?

In simple terms:

• Driving distance: About 450–470 miles (depending on your exact starting point in Atlanta and where you’re going in Clearwater)
• Typical driving time: Around 7 to 8 hours in normal traffic with brief stops
• Straight-line (“as-the-crow-flies”) distance: Roughly 380–400 miles

For most people in Atlanta, the trip from Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, or the airport area to Clearwater Beach will fall in this range.

Main Driving Routes from Atlanta to Clearwater

Most Atlanta travelers choose to drive to Clearwater because it’s a manageable one-day road trip.

1. The Most Common Route (Fastest for Most Drivers)

Typical route from central Atlanta:

1. Take I-75 South from Atlanta (leaving via Downtown Connector / I-85, I-285, or local surface streets).
2. Continue on I-75 South through Macon, Tifton, and Valdosta.
3. Cross into Florida, still on I-75 South.
4. Near Tampa, follow signs toward I-275 South (Tampa / St. Petersburg).
5. Take FL-60 West toward Clearwater and then continue to Clearwater Beach if that’s your destination.

Approximate details:

• Distance: About 460–470 miles
• Drive time: About 7 to 8 hours, not counting long meal breaks or heavy traffic

This route is almost entirely interstate, which makes it straightforward and usually the fastest from most Atlanta neighborhoods, including Decatur, Sandy Springs, and Marietta.

2. Alternative Route via I-75 and Local Florida Roads

Some drivers who prefer to avoid Tampa traffic may adjust their route slightly in Florida, using state and local roads after reaching the Tampa area to approach Clearwater from different directions. This usually doesn’t change the distance dramatically but can help if there are major delays on I-275.

Driving Time from Different Parts of Atlanta

Because Atlanta is spread out, your starting point affects the total trip a little:

*Times assume normal traffic, standard fuel/meal stops, and clear weather.

Best Times to Drive from Atlanta to Clearwater

Traffic patterns matter, especially leaving Atlanta and approaching Tampa.

Leaving Atlanta:

• Best: Early morning departures (around 5–7 a.m.) often help you clear Downtown Connector (I-75/85) and I-75 South before the heaviest rush.
• Avoid if possible:
  • Weekday mornings 7–9 a.m. (inside the Perimeter)
  • Weekday afternoons 4–7 p.m. (both Atlanta and the Tampa Bay area)

Approaching Clearwater:

• Traffic tends to increase:
  • Around Tampa and I-275, especially during weekday rush hours
  • Near Clearwater Beach on weekends, holidays, and spring break

If you can time your trip to arrive in Clearwater in the afternoon on a weekday, you’ll often have an easier final stretch.

Flying from Atlanta to Clearwater

If you’d rather fly than drive, Atlanta is well-positioned for that too.

Closest Airports to Clearwater

From Atlanta, you have two main airport options for reaching the Clearwater area:

1. Tampa International Airport (TPA)

   • Approx. distance from Clearwater: About 20–25 miles
   • Drive time to Clearwater: Around 30–45 minutes, depending on traffic
   • Often the most convenient choice for Atlanta travelers

2. St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport (PIE)

   • Approx. distance from Clearwater Beach area: About 10–15 miles
   • Drive time: Usually 20–30 minutes
   • Smaller than TPA, with select flights from various cities

Flight Details from Atlanta

• Departure airport:Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
  6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
  Main info line: (800) 897-1910

Common patterns for this route:

• Non-stop flights from Atlanta to Tampa (TPA) are frequent.
• Typical flight time: About 1 to 1.5 hours in the air.
• Including check-in, security, boarding, and ground travel on both ends, you’re often looking at:
  • About 4–5 hours total door-to-door from Atlanta to Clearwater, assuming reasonable connections and traffic.

Flying can be faster overall than driving, especially for quick weekend trips, but costs vary depending on the dates and how far in advance you book.

Bus and Other Ground Transportation Options

If you don’t want to drive and prefer not to fly, you can look into intercity buses or shared shuttles, though options may be more limited and typically involve transfers.

From Atlanta, intercity buses commonly run south along I-75, sometimes connecting through Tampa or Orlando, with additional ground transportation needed to reach Clearwater.

Expect:

• Longer travel times than driving yourself (often 10+ hours, depending on the route and transfers).
• Possible need to use local transit, taxis, or rideshare between the bus station and Clearwater.

For local transit information in Atlanta (for getting to and from ATL or downtown bus stations), MARTA can be helpful:

• MARTA Customer Information Center
  2424 Piedmont Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30324
  Phone: (404) 848-5000

How the Trip Feels: Atlanta to Clearwater in One Day

From the perspective of someone in Atlanta, Clearwater is a realistic single-day trip by car:

• It’s longer than a quick run to Savannah or Chattanooga, but shorter than driving all the way to South Florida.
• Many Atlanta families treat it as a morning departure, evening arrival beach trip.
• Because the route is mostly I-75, you’ll pass familiar waypoints like:
  • Macon
  • Perry
  • Tifton
  • Valdosta
  • Then into North Florida and down toward Tampa Bay

If you’re traveling with kids or prefer a slower pace, some Atlanta travelers split the drive in two, stopping overnight in Valdosta, Lake City (FL), or the Tampa area before finishing up to Clearwater.

Practical Tips for Atlanta Travelers Heading to Clearwater

Here are a few simple, Atlanta-specific planning tips:

• Check Atlanta traffic before you leave. Tools and local news stations focusing on Downtown Connector, I-285, and I-75 South are useful.
• Plan fuel and rest stops. Many Atlanta drivers like to stop around:
  • Macon (about 1.5 hours from Atlanta)
  • Tifton or Valdosta (midway food and fuel)
• Watch for weather changes. Summer trips can include heavy rain or thunderstorms both in South Georgia and the Tampa Bay area.
• Plan Clearwater arrival time. To avoid the slowest traffic:
  • Try to avoid peak weekend afternoons heading onto Clearwater Beach.
• Parking near Clearwater Beach can be tight on busy days; arriving earlier in the day or staying slightly inland and using local transit or rideshare can help.

Quick Reference: Atlanta to Clearwater Distance & Time

From Atlanta to Clearwater, Florida:

• Driving distance: About 450–470 miles
• Typical drive time: Around 7–8 hours
• Fastest route:I-75 South → I-275 South (Tampa) → FL-60 West to Clearwater
• Flight time (ATL to TPA): Around 1–1.5 hours in the air
  Plus ground travel time from Tampa or St. Pete–Clearwater to the city or beach.

If you’re in Atlanta and looking for a reachable Gulf Coast beach with clear water and soft sand, Clearwater is very much within a single day’s travel, whether you choose to drive or fly.