This 364.4-mile journey from Callaway, Florida to Lakeland, Florida will take approximately 7 hours and 12 minutes of driving time. Designed as a single-day trip, it's primarily a highway-focused drive, with 96% of the route utilizing major interstates. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $58, making it a relatively budget-friendly option. You'll have about two planned stops along the way, breaking up the drive. This is a straightforward route that gets you from the Florida Panhandle region down into Central Florida efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
182.2 miles from Callaway, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
121.5 mi
2h 10m
I 75
114.5 mi
2h 2m
FL 471
34.9 mi
46m
FL 20
28.4 mi
39m
FL 12
18.1 mi
24m
US 231
16.1 mi
20m
US Highway 98 North
13.9 mi
19m
North Star Avenue
6.7 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 121.5 mi, about 2h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Callaway, FL and Lakeland, FL.
1
Start on FL 22
0.2 mi·31 sec·Wewa Highway
2
Turn left onto CR 2315
6.7 mi·10 min·North Star Avenue
Use the left lane.
3
Turn right onto US 231
16 mi·20 min·US 231
4
Turn right onto FL 20
28 mi·39 min·FL 20
5
Turn left onto FL 12
18 mi·24 min·FL 12
6
Turn right onto FL 12; CR 270
0.6 mi·1 min·Selman Street
7
Continue on FL 12
2.2 mi·3 min·Greensboro Highway
8
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 10 East: Tallahassee
9
Merge onto I 10
121 mi·2 hr 10 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·37 sec
Exit 296AToward I-75 South: Tampa
11
Merge onto I 75
115 mi·2 hr 2 min·I 75
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Exit 321Toward FL 470: Sumterville, Lake PanasoffkeeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn sharp left onto CR 470
2.6 mi·4 min·CR 470
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
At end of road, turn left onto US 301; CR 470
0.3 mi·27 sec·US 301; CR 470
15
Turn right onto FL 471
35 mi·46 min·FL 471
16
Turn left onto US 98
14 mi·19 min·US Highway 98 North
Use the right lane.
17
Continue on US 98
1.7 mi·3 min·North Florida Avenue
18
Turn left onto US 92
0.2 mi·37 sec·East Memorial Boulevard
Use the left lane.
19
Turn right onto North Massachusetts Avenue
1.0 mi·2 min·North Massachusetts Avenue
Use the right lane.
20
At end of road, turn left onto Lake Morton Drive
0.2 mi·32 sec·Lake Morton Drive
21
Turn left onto East Walnut Street
422 ft·18 sec·East Walnut Street
22
Arrive at destination
East Walnut Street
Trip Plan
For this 7-hour, 12-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Callaway to maximize your daylight and arrive in Lakeland with time to spare. With only two stops recommended, plan them strategically for fuel and a break, perhaps around the halfway point. Given the substantial 121.5-mile stretch on I-10, ensure you have sufficient fuel before entering that segment. The $58 fuel estimate is helpful for budgeting, and the predominantly highway nature means you can maintain a steady pace.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 182.2 miles from Callaway, FL, or about 3h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 121.5 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 80 miles or 1h 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 182.2 miles or 3h 37m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lakeland, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Callaway, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Callaway, FL
This is one driving day of about 364.4 miles and 7h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Callaway, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 10 for about 121.5 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 363.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|CR 2315 / North Star Avenue
Turn left onto CR 2315 / North Star Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
72.8 mi into trip|~1h 40m in|I 10
Merge onto I 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
309.1 mi into trip|~5h 53m in
Take the exit toward FL 470: Sumterville, Lake Panasoffkee
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 321
Toward FL 470: Sumterville, Lake Panasoffkee
6
309.5 mi into trip|~5h 54m in|CR 470
Turn sharp left onto CR 470
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
363.1 mi into trip|~7h 9m in|North Massachusetts Avenue
Turn right onto North Massachusetts Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$58.00 one way
$116.01 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg128 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$63.10
$126.19
premium
$4.72
$67.76
$135.52
diesel
$5.61
$80.45
$160.91
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$58
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 127.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
109.3
1
$38.26
$17.49
Efficient EV
91.1
1
$31.88
$14.58
EV Truck/SUV
145.8
1
$51.02
$23.32
Gas CO2
127 kg
EV CO2
43 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 Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Callaway, FL
Late night
in Callaway on Sunday
Local time
1:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lakeland, FL
Late night
in Lakeland on Sunday
Local time
2:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
80°F
Live Oak, FL
182 mi in
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.
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
1 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
7h 12m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a largely highway-focused experience on this 364.4-mile drive, with 96% of your travel on major roads like I-10 and I-75. The longest uninterrupted stretch you’ll encounter is 121.5 miles on I-10, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent speed. While the profile is highway-centric, the inclusion of FL-471 suggests a slight shift in scenery or road type as you approach your destination. This drive is about covering distance efficiently rather than seeking out winding backroads.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 121.5 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and I 75. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near CR 2315 / North Star Avenue.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 364.4 miles you will encounter 16 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (CR 2315 / North Star Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 72.8 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 309.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Callaway, FL to Lakeland, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Lake Panasoffkee along the way.
Lakeland is the largest city in Polk County, Florida. It is home to Florida Southern College, which has the largest collection of buildings by Frank Lloyd Wright at a single site in the world.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 12m. Total distance: 364.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 12m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 121.5 miles on I 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Lakeland, 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 0.2 miles (CR 2315 / North Star Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 72.8 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 309.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.2 hours each way, a round trip means 14.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Lakeland, FL before the return drive.
