GS Car Rental
    Clearwater Beach white sand and turquoise Gulf water
    GS Car Rental - Orlando, Florida

    Clearwater Beach:
    The #1 Beach
    in the USA.

    White sand. Turquoise water. Legendary sunsets.

    Just under two hours west of Orlando sits the beach travelers vote the best in America. Here's how to plan the perfect day trip with your rental car.

    ~1h50 from Orlando Voted #1 in the USA Free airport delivery

    The Best in America

    Why Clearwater Beach earns its #1 ranking.

    On Florida's Gulf Coast, about 105 miles west of Orlando, Clearwater Beach has been crowned the best beach in the United States time and again. The sand here is unusually fine and white — almost like powdered sugar — and it stays cool underfoot even at midday.

    Unlike the Atlantic beaches closer to Orlando, the Gulf of Mexico delivers calm, shallow, bath-warm water in shades of turquoise and emerald. It's ideal for families, gentle swimming, and long walks along a shoreline that stretches for miles.

    Add a buzzing pier, dolphin-watching cruises, fresh seafood, and one of the most celebrated sunsets in Florida, and it's easy to see why Clearwater is the most popular beach escape from the theme parks. The best part: with a rental car, the whole experience is a short, scenic drive away.

    Getting There

    The drive from Orlando

    Roughly 105 miles, about 1 hour 50 minutes via I-4 West. Simple, flat, and well-signed.

    Detail
    Info
    Tip
    Distance
    ~105 miles (170 km)
    Fill up before leaving Orlando
    Drive time
    ~1h50 each way
    Beat traffic by leaving early
    Main route
    I-4 West to Clearwater
    Use SunPass for any tolls
    Parking
    Garages near Pier 60
    Arrive before 10 a.m.
    Stop along the way
    Tampa / ZooTampa
    Great for a half-day add-on

    Every GS Car Rental vehicle includes a SunPass transponder, so any tolls on the way are handled automatically.

    What to Do

    Highlights of Clearwater Beach

    Sunsets at Pier 60

    A nightly festival with craft vendors, street performers, and live music as the sun sinks into the Gulf. Free and family-friendly.

    Swim & Relax

    Calm, warm, shallow water perfect for kids and casual swimmers. Rent a chair, an umbrella, or a paddleboard right on the sand.

    Dolphin Cruises

    Boat tours leave from the marina to spot wild dolphins in the Gulf — one of the most popular activities on the beach.

    Explore Beyond the Sand

    Worth a detour nearby

    With a car, Clearwater opens the door to the wider Gulf Coast.

    Spot
    What It Is
    From Clearwater
    Caladesi Island
    Pristine, car-free state park beach
    ~20 min + ferry
    Honeymoon Island
    Quiet beach & nature trails
    ~25 min
    Sand Key Park
    Calmer, less crowded stretch
    ~10 min
    Tampa / Ybor City
    Restaurants, nightlife, ZooTampa
    ~40 min
    Clearwater Marine Aquarium
    Home of Winter the dolphin
    ~10 min

    The GS Difference

    The easiest way to reach the best beach in America.

    A beach day at Clearwater is only as good as the trip getting there. With GS Car Rental you get a clean, reliable vehicle delivered free to your Orlando airport (MCO, MIA, FLL, SFB) or hotel, so you can hit the road the moment you land.

    Every car includes a SunPass transponder for hassle-free tolls, there are no underage fees for drivers 21 and up, and you get personal service over WhatsApp from booking to return. Pack a towel, grab the keys, and the #1 beach in the USA is less than two hours away.

    FAQ

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Clearwater Beach sits on Florida's Gulf Coast, about 105 miles west of Orlando. The drive takes roughly 1 hour and 50 minutes via I-4 West. It's an easy day trip or a perfect overnight escape from the theme parks, and having your own rental car makes the route simple and flexible.

    Clearwater Beach has repeatedly been voted the #1 beach in the United States by TripAdvisor and other travel publications. It's known for its powdery white quartz sand, calm turquoise Gulf water, lively Pier 60, and its famous nightly sunset celebration. The water is noticeably warmer and calmer than the Atlantic beaches near Orlando.

    Yes, but it fills up fast in peak season. There are public garages and metered lots near Pier 60 and along the beach. Arriving before 10 a.m. is your best bet for a good spot. With a rental car you can also explore quieter stretches like Sand Key Park, just south of the main beach, where parking is usually easier.

    Pier 60 is the heart of Clearwater Beach. You can fish off the pier, browse the daily Sunsets at Pier 60 craft festival, watch street performers, and enjoy live music as the sun goes down over the Gulf. It's free, family-friendly, and runs nearly every evening, weather permitting.

    A rental car is by far the most practical way to visit. Public transit between Orlando and Clearwater is slow and limited, and rideshare for a 100+ mile trip is expensive. With a car you control your schedule, can stop along the way, and can combine Clearwater with nearby spots like Tampa, Caladesi Island, or Honeymoon Island.

    Sand, sun,
    and the open road.

    Rent with GS Car Rental and make Clearwater Beach your next Florida adventure. Free airport delivery, SunPass included, and personal service on WhatsApp.

    Call Us+1 (407) 360-4040
    AirportsMCO - MIA - FLL - SFB
    LocationOrlando, FL

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