Planning the Perfect Road Trip from Fort Myers to Clearwater in 2024
When you think of Florida, you likely think of long stretches of white sandy beaches. You might think about lounging in an umbrella-shaded chair, sipping on a frozen drink. But a road trip from Fort Myers to Clearwater? Probably not.
Getting from Fort Myers to Clearwater by boat would be quite an adventure, but road trips are an amazing way to experience the wide versatility that Florida has to offer. Buckle up for an epic journey from Fort Myers to Clearwater that you won’t soon forget!
Map of Fort Myers to Clearwater
Getting from Fort Myers to Clearwater
Flights
Southwest Florida International Airport is the closest airport to Fort Myers, Florida. There are no flights from this airport to St Pete-Clearwater International Airport.
If you’re hoping to fly to the Clearwater area from Fort Myers, you will need to fly into Tampa International Airport. The Tampa airport is roughly 16 miles from Clearwater.
Keep in mind that most flights include layovers which will increase the flight distance and flight time, making for a long travel day.
Car
Clearwater Beach to Fort Myers (and vice versa) is a 134-mile journey under typical road conditions. In order to cover a distance like that, we recommend renting a car. Fort Myers is home to several rental car companies, so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding a vehicle for your road trip.
RV
Though this road trip isn’t overly lengthy, some travelers prefer to hit the road in an RV. Thought to be a comfortable and more affordable means of travel (say goodbye to hotel rates), it really is the best fit for families planning to travel over an extended period of time.
RVs can be rented through a variety of companies and platforms (like Airbnb for RVs). Outdoorsy is our personal favorite. It has over 40,000 vehicles listed. RVShare is also a peer-to-peer RV rental site. Keep in mind that RV specifics (overall size and features) and prices will vary.
We have traveled through Florida in our camper and always have a great time. Camping on the beach is so much fun and something that our family loves.
Bus
Greyhound has a route that carries passengers from Fort Myers to Clearwater. This bus from Fort Myers to Clearwater, FL requires passengers to transfer buses twice and takes a little less than 4 hours.
Best Things to See From Fort Myers to Clearwater
Cape Coral
Like many Florida cities, Cape Coral is most known for its bodies of water (including lots of canals) and wildlife. Less than 10 miles outside of Fort Myers, this town is early in your road trip but features some attractions that might be worth a stop to explore.
If you’re hoping to experience some wildlife encounters on your trip through Florida, Sirenia Vista Park is a great spot to spot manatees. During our visit to the Fort Myers area, we got to see so many manatees, and my kids loved it. This area also offers some really fun kayak routes.
Matlacha Pass Aquatic Preserve is accessible from Sirenia Vista Park and is a fun place to watch different species of birds meander through the mangroves.
For any avid bird watchers in your family, Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve is a hot spot for herons and ibis. This 365-acre wetland area features a boardwalk trail and seasonal kayak rentals. It’s easy to spend hours exploring the landscape and wildlife of Cape Coral with your family.
Cape Coral Inshore Fishing Charter
If you’re looking for an extra special adventure during your stop in Cape Coral, you should check out the Cape Coral Inshore Fishing Charter. This tour is a wonderful way to get on the water in Cape Coral.
This scenic boat tour will take you to all of the best fishing spots throughout Cape Coral, including the inshore, backwaters, barrier islands, and Caloosahatchee River. With the likes of snook, tarpon, snapper, grouper, and many other fish species, you never know what you might catch on this adventure!
▶️ BOOK Cape Coral Inshore Fishing Charter
Punta Gorda
Punta Gorda, 40 minutes north of Fort Myers, is one of the next interesting places you will run into on your road trip from Fort Myers to Clearwater. If you decide not to stop on your first leg of the journey, this would be a chill spot to rest on your return trip from Clearwater, Florida to Fort Myers too.
Punta Gorda has a sleepy, small-town beach feel. We love the Harborwalk. It’s an amazing 2.5-mile stretch along the Charlotte Harbor shoreline. It’s one of our favorite spots to walk or ride bikes in the area.
Fisherman’s Village is the heart of this waterfront resort town. This city center is a fun place to explore, full of boutiques, delicious restaurants, and museums. Not to mention access to the waterfront for kayaking, sailing, paddle boarding, and so much more.
Night Sky Stargazing Tour in Punta Gorda, Florida
If you’ve got a night to spare in Punta Gorda, we couldn’t recommend the Night Sky Stargazing Tour in Punta Gorda Florida more! This tour is such a fun experience to share with your kids as you search the quiet night sky for stars, planets, and other galaxies.
This is an intimate tour capped at ten people, so you can be sure you will get the royal treatment.
▶️ BOOK Night Sky Stargazing Tour in Punta Gorda Florida
Siesta Key
Nearly an hour outside of Fort Myers is Siesta Key, a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico. This Florida city is known for its picturesque beaches, and we can vouch that they are amazing.
Siesta Beach is recognized for its shallow waters. My kids and I just love visiting Siesta Key for this reason. The waves are small, perfect for my kids. It also has an entertaining playground where the kids can pass the time or they could try their hand on one of the tennis courts.
Crescent Beach is another notable beach in the area. The sand isn’t quite as great here, but it has a much more local feel. The highlight of this spot is Point of Rocks.
The limestone outcroppings encircle tidal pools and coral reefs. Inquisitive and science-minded kids will love to adventure in the tidal pools!
Siesta Key Kayak Tour
Siesta Key Kayak Tour offers a fun way to get out into the waters surrounding Siesta Key. And it’s a perfect fit for families, as kids as young as two are permitted. All equipment, including life jackets, is included.
Participants can choose to kayak or stand-up paddleboard throughout the tour. A guide will then lead you through the Jim Neville Marine Preserve, which is full of mangrove islands and spectacular wildlife. Best of all? The tour wraps up at a Secret Beach!
Siesta Key Electric Bike Sunset Tour
If you’d rather stick to dry land, Siesta Key Electric Bike Sunset Tour is another fun way to check out the sights and sounds of this area. The golden hour glow will make your smooth electric bike journey along the beach that much more memorable. Sunsets over the Gulf Coast are incredible.
Young children (under 16 years old) are not permitted on this tour, so it might not be the best choice for families. Don’t be dissuaded by the age requirement. You don’t need to be an electric bike pro. All skill levels are welcome on this tour.
▶️ BOOK Siesta Key Electric Bike Sunset Tour
Sarasota
Sarasota is a fun stop along the Gulf Coast that you should definitely consider adding to your road trip itinerary. Lido Beach and Marie Selby Botanical Gardens are some of our favorite places to relax and enjoy the outdoors in Sarasota.
The Legacy Trail
The Legacy Trail is the perfect place to get some wiggles out while also learning about the city. The trail was constructed over a network of old railway lines and stretches over 10 miles from Sarasota to Venice, FL.
The best way to experience this trail is on a bike. If you’re not traveling on your own, there are multiple places to rent one in Sarasota. This is a family-friendly trail, as there are rest areas along the way. It’s also fun to read informative signs detailing the history of the area along the trail.
Keep in mind that this area is ripe with wildlife. So your kids will be thrilled by the sight of eagles, butterflies, and maybe even snakes! Traveling down the paved path over bridges and through the lush Florida landscape is an amazing way to break up your road trip.
Sharkey’s LED Illuminated Night & Sunset Tour on Glass Bottom Kayaks in Sarasota
Sharkey’s LED illuminated Night & Sunset Tour on Glass Bottom Kayaks in Sarasota tour provides late-night adventurers an opportunity to experience the waters of Sarasota in a whole new way.
Family-friendly and suitable for children as young as two years old (life jackets are included, of course), this tour embarks as the sun sinks low in the sky. There is no need to be concerned about the lack of light, as the glass-bottomed kayaks you will travel in are equipped with LED lights.
The 1 hour and 30-minute journey takes participants through the area’s waterways, mangroves, and grass flats. While paddling through, you’re likely to see crabs, stingrays, shrimp, and many other marine life species, all under the glow of the moon.
Our favorite part of this tour is when you have the chance to feed the fish under the guide’s direction in specific areas. Being out on the water, under the stars, and watching the creatures congregate alongside your family is an experience you won’t soon forget.
▶️ BOOK Sharkey’s LED Illuminated Night & Sunset Tour on Glass Bottom Kayaks in Sarasota
St. Pete Beach
Fort Myers to St Petersburg is just shy of a 2-hour drive. St. Pete Beach is a laid-back, small town founded on the beauty and charm of the environment.
Unlike some of the flashier cities in Florida, this is the perfect place to stop along your road trip if your family is looking for a relaxing environment. It’s one of our favorite places in Florida to enjoy each other’s company and reconnect with nature.
The St. Pete Beach area is a great place to grab dinner before heading over to Clearwater. There are lots of great restaurants in St. Pete, and we love looking for dolphins near the St. Pete Pier. There is a really fun playground out on the pier that my kids love visiting.
Small Group 2-Hour Dolphin Cruise with Snorkeling to Shell Key
A return trip from St Pete to Fort Myers won’t be complete without spending some time in the water. This Small Group 2-Hour Dolphin Cruise with Snorkeling to Shell Key is a great way to experience the beauty and wildlife of the area.
Both onboard and in the water, the wonders of St. Pete are astonishing. And kids love the chance to see the world below the surface when snorkeling in the warm Gulf waters!
▶️ BOOK Small Group 2 Hour Dolphin Cruise with Snorkeling to Shell Key
4-Hour St. Pete Pier to Egmont Key Tour
The 4-Hour St. Pete Pier to Egmont Key Tour is a great opportunity for nature-loving families to get up close and personal with Saint Petersburg’s ecosystems. This tour will take participants from St. Pete Pier out to the secluded island in Tampa Bay, where The Egmont Key National Wildlife Refuge is located.
We usually pack a lunch for tours like this. That way, you can enjoy a nice picnic while wandering through the white sand or hiking one of the trails on the island.
▶️ BOOK 4-Hour St. Pete Pier to Egmont Key Tour
Tampa
Tampa is a great place to stop if you’d like to experience a real Florida city. Like most of the stops we’ve detailed up to this point, Tampa does have some beach areas, but beaches are not what this city is known for when comparing Tampa and Clearwater.
After spending a fair amount of time in nature, whether at the beach or exploring parks or preserves, Tampa offers families other amusing attractions. For thrill-seekers, you can check out Busch Gardens. For animal enthusiasts, Zoo Tampa is a super fun place to spend an afternoon. This is one of our favorite zoos in the country.
If you decide to stay in Tampa instead of Clearwater, there are lots of great hotels near the Tampa Riverwalk, a great area of town to stay in. If you are flying out of Tampa, there are lots of convenient hotels near the airport.
Guided Tampa Tour in a Deluxe Street Legal Golf Cart
A Guided Tampa Tour in a Deluxe Street Legal Golf Cart is one of the most fun ways to explore this city. This tour covers all the best sights of Tampa, and it’s a fun experience your family will remember forever!
▶️ BOOK Guided Tampa Tour in a Deluxe Street Legal Golf Cart
Things to Do in Fort Myers
Edison and Ford Winter Estates
Did you know that Fort Myers was home to both Thomas Edison and Henry Ford during many winters throughout their lives? A visit to the Edison and Ford Winter Estates is a fun way to walk through history with your family.
The property features the inventors’ residences, as well as historical buildings, gorgeous gardens, and the Edison Botanic Research Lab. Tours of the homes and the lab are available on select days, so check the website and plan ahead if that’s something that your family would enjoy.
And don’t forget the wonders of the Inventions Museum too! We could spend hours learning and exploring there!
Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve
Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve is one of the best places to explore nature in Fort Myers. It’s a lush and peaceful space that can be visited anytime from sunrise to sunset.
Visitors are free to explore the 3,500 acres of wetland ecosystem via the boardwalk trail on their own. It really is a memorable walk through the densely crowded trees and standing water. Otters, alligators, turtles, and many wading birds call the preserve home, so it’s always fun to catch a glimpse of them too!
Guided walks are offered at different times throughout the year, depending on the season. Check the preserve’s website to view the schedule at the time of your visit. This is an extra fun and interactive way to enjoy this special landscape.
Manatee Park
If you’re looking for other park recommendations, we also love Manatee Park. It’s not a huge park, but it’s clean and well-maintained. And best of all, it’s an amazing place to view wildlife.
The park gets its name for the many manatees that travel up the river seasonally (when the gulf waters are too cold for their liking) and hang out in the park area. The number of manatees you are able to spot will depend on the time of year you visit. They are more plentiful during the cooler winter months.
When we visited last in late March, there were quite a few manatees in the park, as you can see from the picture above. However, we could really only see their noses and when they came up for air. If you want to see the manatees underwater, we recommend visiting the Tampa Zoo when you get to Clearwater.
The river is really nice in this area. Kayaks are available to rent here if you decide to explore the water.
Florida Repertory Theatre
Florida Repertory Theatre is preparing to begin its 26th season in the fall of 2023. Hailed as one of the United States’ top repertory companies, this is a wonderful entertainment option to consider when visiting the Fort Myers River District.
This professional theatre company produces entertaining comedies, dramas, and musicals from September to May. It makes for a fun night out for the family. Be sure to check out their schedule during your visit!
Where to Stay in Fort Myers
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Cape Coral/North Fort Myers
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Cape Coral/North Fort Myers is a comfortable place to stay when visiting Fort Myers. Travelers can choose from standard rooms or suites in king and queen-size bed varieties. Each room includes flat-screen TVs, microwaves, and mini-fridges.
Great property!! Brand new. Staff and location is great.
– Margret (Read more Reviews)
We love the outdoor pools at hotels in Florida. The pool is a great place to let the kids play and unwind. Families can lounge in chairs and catch some shade under umbrellas.
We also appreciate the safety feature of a pool gate, so you don’t have to worry as much about littles getting in unsupervised.
The free continental breakfast, fitness center, laundry facilities, and convenience store are just a few other benefits of staying at this hotel!
▶️ Check Rates & Book: Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Cape Coral/North Fort Myers
Off the Charts Inn & Out Island Resort
Off the Charts Inn & Out Island Resort offers an escape from the typical hotel setting most of us are accustomed to. If you’re interested in changing up the scenery, consider staying at this colorful and fun property.
Guests can choose from studio or suite accommodations at this location. Each room features a full kitchen and canal views. Beds are either king or queen size, and sofa beds are included as well. Rates here are really impressive, considering the convenient extra features.
The terrace area alongside the canal is like an oasis. The picnic tables beneath the palm trees or the fun sand areas are perfect places to enjoy a meal or just soak up the sun.
Pretty small town therefore we didnt know what to expect, however this place was fantastic.. great accommodations, excellent customer service.. it seemed to be the best in town. Tiki in the back has grills and a beautiful view of manatees.. very clean and would recommend to anyone!
– Edward (Read more reviews)
Keep in mind, this property does not have a pool. We understand this can be a deal breaker for some traveling families. So definitely keep that in mind when deciding where to stay.
▶️ Check Rates & Book: Off The Charts Inn & Out Island Resort
Things to Do in Clearwater
Clearwater Beach
Clearwater Beach is Clearwater’s main attraction. The gorgeous, white sand beach and crystal clear waters bring visitors from all over the world to this place. It’s the perfect place to enjoy the warm gulf waters or fly a beach kite.
The shallow and calm gulf waters are the perfect environment for paddle boarding and snorkeling, no matter the skill level. Kayak tours are another top attraction in this area. A great family-friendly option, this is the place in Clearwater to bring your beach chairs and baby beach essentials so even the littlest family members can enjoy the day.
Pier 60
Right off Clearwater Beach, Pier 60 is a Clearwater must-visit attraction. Renowned for its 1,080-foot pier, it’s a wonderful place to fish or just enjoy the beach ambiance. Plus, kids are sure to love the impressive beach playground.
The pier comes to life at sunset with special crafts and entertainment. No matter the time of day you visit, Pier 60 is always a great family-friendly attraction in Clearwater.
We also recommend taking one of the wonderful Clearwater sunset cruises in this area, it’s a relaxing and fun experience for the whole family. And be sure to check out the tasty Clearwater restaurants in this area too!
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
A visit to Clearwater Marine Aquarium is one of our favorite things to do in Clearwater with kids. It can be a happy (and cooler) change of pace after spending hours on the beach.
Not only an aquarium, this property is also home to a rescue facility. Our kids love to explore the exhibits and learn about the different species of sea life while also getting a special look inside an animal hospital.
Tarpon Sponge Docks
Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks is the natural sponge capital of the world. Sponge beds were discovered here in 1873, and though production was halted by toxic algae in the 1940s, sponges are still harvested here today.
This is a fun and unique spot to explore during your trip to Clearwater. You can take tours, explore the beach or find souvenirs at the dock shops. Plus, we loved the food here. The authentic Greek food is amazing.
Where to Stay in Clearwater
Sands Point Motel
If you’re hoping to stay near Clearwater Beach Sands Point Motel is an amazing hotel option for your needs. It’s just a short walk from the water.
The rooms are clean but standard, without any extraordinary features. Our favorite part of the property is the sparkling pool in the center of the terrace area.
Perfect for my stay. I had a quick business trip and I wanted to avoid the rat race of a crowded hotel and this was the perfect prescription. The owners were very nice and accommodating for my arrival. The room was very clean and I loved the setting. I will return again.
verified traveler (read more reviews)
If this doesn’t sound like the right fit for you, there are many other motels in Clearwater to choose from.
➡️ Check Rates & Availability at Sands Point Motel
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort
The Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort is one of the most amazing family resorts in Clearwater. It’s super close to Pier 60, so you can have easy access to all the beach attractions. This neighborhood is our favorite part of Clearwater.
The heated and kids’ pools are the real game changer for us. Not to mention Camp Hyatt for Children, which offers kids so many fun activities and programs.
Beautiful place. Good views and good shell collecting.
Danette (Read more Reviews)
The exceptional spa for grown-ups in need of a little pampering during their stay is a great added touch. Staying at this spot is a no-brainer for the whole family!
➡️ Check Rates & Availability at Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort
FAQ: Fort Myers to Clearwater
How Far is Clearwater From Fort Myers?
Clearwater to Fort Myers is 134 miles. You can expect a drive time of 2 hours and 15 minutes in typical traffic.
Is Fort Myers Close to Clearwater?
The shortest distance from Fort Myers to Clearwater is 134 miles. The cities are not close to each other, but it’s not a long road trip between the two places.
How Long Does It Take to Get from Fort Myers to Clearwater?
Directions from Fort Myers, FL to Clearwater list the drive time to be a little over 2 hours in normal traffic. That said, Clearwater is an excellent day trip destination from Fort Myers.
Is Clearwater, Florida Worth Visiting?
Yes, a trip from Ft Myers, FL to Clearwater, FL is definitely worth your time! From the white, sandy beaches and crystal clear water to the lively fun on the pier, we love Clearwater!
What is Clearwater Beach Known For?
Clearwater Beach is best known for the beach itself. Travelers from all over the world make their way to Clearwater Beach to experience the soft, powdery sand and clear Gulf waters.
Is Sanibel Island Close to Clearwater?
Sanibel Island is 4 hours south of Clearwater. You could plan to visit Sanibel Island when you’re traveling back from Clearwater, FL to Fort Myers, FL. Sanibel Island is only 1 hour and 30 minutes from Fort Myers.
Conclusion: Fort Myers to Clearwater
The journey from Fort Myers to Clearwater can be as direct or meandering as you would like. Whether you travel with the pedal to the metal or stop at every tourist trap or nature preserve, we hope you have an amazing time!
