how far is clearwater from tampa

Clearwater is about 20–25 miles (around 32–40 km) from Tampa, which usually works out to roughly a 30–45 minute drive depending on traffic and your exact starting point in Tampa.

Quick Scoop: How far is Clearwater from Tampa?

• The straight‑line distance (as the crow flies) between downtown Tampa and Clearwater is about 21 miles / 34 km.

• Typical driving distance falls around 23 miles / 37 km using major roads such as FL‑60 over Tampa Bay.

• From Tampa International Airport to Clearwater , the drive is about 19–23 miles and usually 30–35 minutes when traffic is light.

• In busier times (rush hour, weekends to the beach), the same trip can stretch closer to 40–45 minutes or more.

Simple rule of thumb

If someone asks “how far is Clearwater from Tampa?” you can safely answer:

It’s roughly 20–25 miles away and usually about a half‑hour drive , longer if traffic is heavy.

Mini travel example

Imagine you land at Tampa International Airport in the late morning, pick up a rental car, and hop on FL‑60 toward the bay. In normal mid‑day traffic, you’ll likely be stepping onto the sand at Clearwater Beach in about half an hour, after a scenic drive over the causeway.