Tampa to Clearwater Overview
Clearwater Beach is consistently ranked among the top beaches in the United States, making it a popular group outing destination from Tampa. The drive covers roughly 25 miles west across the Courtney Campbell Causeway or via the Howard Frankland Bridge.
Route Options and Travel Time
The Courtney Campbell Causeway (SR-60) offers a scenic 35-minute drive across Old Tampa Bay. The Howard Frankland Bridge (I-275) is slightly faster at 30 minutes but less scenic. BusBrother drivers choose the best route based on current traffic conditions.
Beach Day Logistics
Parking at Clearwater Beach is limited and expensive during peak season. A charter bus drops your group near Pier 60 and eliminates the need for $3.50-per-hour city lot parking across multiple vehicles. We handle the drop-off and return pickup on your schedule.
Best Times to Visit
Weekdays from September through November offer the smallest crowds and comfortable temperatures in the low 80s. Spring break weeks from March through April are the busiest period, so book your bus early to lock in availability.
What Do Clearwater's Own Rules Mean for a Group Beach Day?
Clearwater Beach city lots, including Pier 60, Rockaway and Mandalay, charge 3.50 dollars per hour and on-street spaces 4.00 dollars per hour with a 5-hour limit, and the city says no beach lot can accommodate RVs and that commercial vehicles may not park on city streets, so groups arrive by drop-off.
How much parking is there at Pier 60?
The city-run Pier 60 lot at 160 S. Gulfview Boulevard has 141 spaces, and the Municipal Marina lot at 25 Causeway Boulevard has 346 spaces with a 2-hour limit. Beach lots generally operate 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Source: myclearwater.com.
Where can the bus wait?
Clearwater has ordinances against commercial vehicles, trailers and RVs parking on city streets, and public parking is banned north of the Acacia Roundabout. The coach should unload, leave the beach and return at a set pickup time. Source: myclearwater.com.
How do people get around the beach once there?
PSTA's Jolley Trolley runs daily from Clearwater Beach to Tarpon Springs with North Beach, South Beach and Coastal routes, and the Suncoast Beach Trolley runs every 30 minutes from Park Street Terminal to 75th Avenue and Gulf Boulevard for 2.25 dollars, exact fare. Source: psta.net.
What beach rules should the group know?
Alcohol, tents and other shelters, fires and animals are banned on Clearwater's public beaches, and lifeguards are on duty daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pier 60 Park at 370 Mandalay Avenue is open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunsets at Pier 60 runs every evening from two hours before to two hours after sunset. Source: myclearwater.com, myclearwater.com.
How long is the drive to Pier 60, Clearwater Beach?
| From | Road miles | Free-flow drive |
|---|---|---|
| Tampa | 25 | 42 min |
| St. Petersburg | 23 | 40 min |
| Orlando | 108 | 2 hr 17 min |
OSRM / OpenStreetMap routing from city centers, 2026-10-08; no traffic or stops.
Official sources checked October 8, 2026.
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About the Author
Mark Gabrielli is the founder of BusBrother and CEO of WETYR Corporation. With over a decade of experience in Florida transportation logistics, Mark has personally coordinated thousands of group trips - from cruise port shuttles at Port Canaveral to corporate charters across Orlando and Tampa. He started BusBrother to bring transparent pricing, competitive carrier bidding, and 24/7 service to a market that historically lacked all three.
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