Traveling from Brent to Lake Alfred covers 461 miles across Florida, a journey that typically takes 8 hours and 35 minutes of driving time. Because of the length, you should consider splitting this trip over two days to avoid driver fatigue. With 96% of the route consisting of major highways, you will spend most of your time on the interstate system. Expect to budget roughly $77 for fuel, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. While the route is straightforward, the distance makes it better suited for an overnight excursion rather than a single-day sprint, allowing you to traverse the state comfortably.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
230.5 miles from Brent, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
282.9 mi
5h 3m
I 75
107.2 mi
1h 54m
FL 33
21.2 mi
27m
Florida's Turnpike
19.2 mi
20m
CR 557A
8.3 mi
14m
FL 19
6.1 mi
9m
Commonwealth Avenue North
5.3 mi
7m
US 27
3.5 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 282.9 mi, about 5h 3m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 54 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,226 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,701
Quietest
2 AM
~148 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brent, FL and Lake Alfred, FL.
1
Start on East Brent Lane
0.1 mi·26 sec·East Brent Lane
2
Continue on FL 296
0.4 mi·1 min·Brent Lane
3
Turn left
0.3 mi·36 sec
4
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·54 sec
Toward I 110 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Merge onto I 110
0.9 mi·1 min·Reubin O'Donovan Askew Parkway
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·28 sec
Exit 6Toward I 10 East, FL 291: Tallahassee, Davis HighwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 10 East: Tallahassee
8
Merge onto I 10
283 mi·5 hr 3 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·37 sec
Exit 296AToward I-75 South: Tampa
10
Merge onto I 75
107 mi·1 hr 54 min·I 75
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit onto Florida's Turnpike
19 mi·20 min·Florida's Turnpike
Exit 328Toward Florida's Turnpike South, OrlandoUse the slight left / straight lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Exit 289Toward US 27, FL 19: Tavares, ClermontUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·28 sec·this road
Exit 289Toward US 27, FL 19: Tavares, Clermont
14
Merge onto US 27
3.5 mi·4 min·US 27
15
Turn right onto O'Brien Road
0.5 mi·1 min·O'Brien Road
16
Turn right onto FL 19
6.1 mi·9 min·FL 19
17
Turn left onto FL 50; FL 33
0.3 mi·48 sec·West Orange Street
18
Continue on FL 33
21 mi·27 min·FL 33
19
Enter roundabout onto FL 33
135 ft·2 sec·Commonwealth Avenue North
20
Continue on FL 33
5.3 mi·7 min·Commonwealth Avenue North
21
Turn left onto FL 559
1.8 mi·2 min·Broadway Boulevard Southeast
22
Continue on CR 557A
8.3 mi·14 min·CR 557A
23
At end of road, turn right onto North Rochelle Avenue
478 ft·26 sec·North Rochelle Avenue
24
Turn left onto East Haines Boulevard
0.2 mi·52 sec·East Haines Boulevard
25
Arrive at destination
East Haines Boulevard
Trip Plan
To manage the 461-mile distance effectively, plan for at least two intentional stops to stretch your legs and refresh. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid mid-day congestion on busy interstate corridors. Since you are spending nearly the entire drive on major highways, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during that long 282.9-mile stretch on I-10, as service intervals can vary. If you choose to split the trip over two days, aim to find a midpoint accommodation that keeps your second day of driving short. Staying flexible with your departure time will help you navigate the flow of traffic more easily as you cross the state.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 230.5 miles from Brent, FL, or about 4h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 282.9 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 101 miles or 1h 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 230.5 miles or 4h 9m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 230.5 miles or 4h 9m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lake Alfred, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Brent, FL so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Brent, FL
Aim for roughly 231 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Lake Alfred, FL
Aim for roughly 231 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 101 miles from Brent, FL.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 10 for about 282.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 413 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.9 mi into trip|~2m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 110 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 110 North
9
2.3 mi into trip|~4m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 10 East, FL 291: Tallahassee, Davis Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 6
Toward I 10 East, FL 291: Tallahassee, Davis Hi...
5
2.6 mi into trip|~4m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 East: Tallahassee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 10 East: Tallahassee
8
393.8 mi into trip|~7h 4m in|Florida's Turnpike
Take the exit onto Florida's Turnpike toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 328
Toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando
8
413 mi into trip|~7h 25m in
Take the exit toward US 27, FL 19: Tavares, Clermont
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 289
Toward US 27, FL 19: Tavares, Clermont
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$73.38 one way
$146.76 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg161 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$79.99
$159.97
premium
$4.74
$86.08
$172.17
diesel
$5.35
$97.10
$194.20
Estimated Tolls: $1.35
Florida's Turnpike
(19.2 mi)$1.35
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$73
Tolls
$1
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$205–$315
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 161.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $48 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
138.3
1
$48.41
$22.13
Efficient EV
115.3
1
$40.34
$18.44
EV Truck/SUV
184.4
2
$64.54
$29.50
Gas CO2
161 kg
EV CO2
54 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Brent, FL
Evening
in Brent on Wednesday
Local time
8:22 PM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 10 mph35% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 1 at 6:36PM CDT until June 1 at 7:15PM CDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 1 at 6:19PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Destination
Lake Alfred, FL
Night
in Lake Alfred on Wednesday
Local time
9:22 PM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
WNW 3 to 9 mph24% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 1 at 6:36PM CDT until June 1 at 7:15PM CDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 1 at 6:19PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
Time zone
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
17 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
8h 35m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Gulf Islands National Seashore
National Seashore
Millions of visitors are drawn to the Gulf of America for Gulf Islands National Seashore's emerald coast waters, magnificent white beaches, fertile marshes and historical landscapes. Come explore with...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is a quintessential highway-focused drive, dominated by sustained speeds on I-10 and I-75. You will experience a significant 282.9-mile stretch on I-10, which serves as the primary backbone of the journey before you transition onto I-75 and finally FL-33. The experience is largely defined by the consistency of interstate travel, offering a predictable rhythm for long-distance drivers. As you move away from the initial highway segments and approach Lake Alfred, the road environment shifts slightly, but the high highway-to-local-road ratio ensures that the vast majority of your time behind the wheel remains on fast-paced, multi-lane thoroughfares.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 282.9 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and I 75. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 461 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
274 ft53 ft
Total Climb
523 ft
Total Descent
449 ft
Highest Point
274 ft
~65.9 mi in
Elevation Range
220 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Brent, FL and Lake Alfred, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando and Clermont.
Florida's Turnpike South
393.8 mi in|~7h 4m|via Florida's Turnpike
Orlando
393.8 mi in|~7h 4m|via Florida's Turnpike
Clermont
413 mi in|~7h 25m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Coffee Guy Cafe
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Cuisine: bagel;cake;coffee_shop;crepe
Hours: Mo-Fr 06:00-21:00; Sa 07:00-21:00; Su 08...
Lake Alfred is a small town of 4,000 people in north-central Polk County, Florida. The town lies along U.S. 17/92, which runs north/south through the center of town. Easily a drive-though community for motorists, it is worth a stop to hike through Mackay Gardens, browse the family-owned businesses along Haines St, or maybe even learn to water ski.
The longest stretch is about 282.9 miles on I 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 231 miles on day one.
Expect about $1.35 in tolls one way, starting with Florida's Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Lake Alfred, FL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Gulf Islands National Seashore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.6 hours each way, a round trip means 17.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Lake Alfred, FL before the return drive.
