Alachua County Rest Area (I-75 southbound)
0 mi from route
Trip from Ferry Pass, FL to Lakeland, FL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
8h 28m
Distance
454.4 mi
731 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$69
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
8h 21m
★
6 AM
8h 29m
8 AM
8h 44m
10 AM
8h 34m
12 PM
8h 33m
3 PM
8h 35m
5 PM
8h 43m
8 PM
8h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ferry Pass, FL
David Kanigan
Lakeland, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Ferry Pass to Lakeland is 454.4 miles and takes about 8h 28m via I 10 and I 75, with a fuel budget near $71 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, taking you from the western panhandle region down toward the central part of the state. With 99% highway driving, expect a relatively straightforward path, though the total distance and duration suggest an overnight stay is more comfortable than trying to complete it all in one go. Plan for about two recommended days to make the most of this cross-state drive.
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
227.2 miles from Ferry Pass, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 5m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 10 | 282.8 mi | 5h 3m |
| I 75 | 114.5 mi | 2h 2m |
| FL 471 | 34.9 mi | 46m |
| US Highway 98 North | 13.9 mi | 19m |
| CR 470 | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| North Florida Avenue | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| North Massachusetts Avenue | 1 mi | 2m |
| East Olive Road | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 282.8 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
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Ferry Pass, FL and Lakeland, FL.
1
Start on CR 290
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
East Olive Road
Use the left lane.
2
Turn left onto FL 291
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
North Davis Highway
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on FL 291
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
North Davis Highway
4
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 291
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
FL 291
5
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 10 East: Tallahassee
Use the left lane.
6
Merge onto I 10
283 mi
·
5 hr 3 min
·
I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 296A
Toward I-75 South: Tampa
8
Merge onto I 75
115 mi
·
2 hr 2 min
·
I 75
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 321
Toward FL 470: Sumterville, Lake Panasoffkee
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn sharp left onto CR 470
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
CR 470
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
At end of road, turn left onto US 301; CR 470
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
US 301; CR 470
12
Turn right onto FL 471
35 mi
·
46 min
·
FL 471
13
Turn left onto US 98
14 mi
·
19 min
·
US Highway 98 North
Use the right lane.
14
Continue on US 98
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
North Florida Avenue
15
Turn left onto US 92
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
East Memorial Boulevard
Use the left lane.
16
Turn right onto North Massachusetts Avenue
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North Massachusetts Avenue
Use the right lane.
17
At end of road, turn left onto Lake Morton Drive
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
Lake Morton Drive
18
Turn left onto East Walnut Street
422 ft
·
18 sec
·
East Walnut Street
19
Arrive at destination
East Walnut Street
Trip Plan
Given the 8-hour and 28-minute driving time, splitting this trip over two days is a sensible approach. Aim to depart early in the morning to maximize daylight hours, especially if you decide to tackle it in a single day. The longest continuous stretch is 282.8 miles on I 10, so plan your fuel stops accordingly, keeping the $71 budget in mind. With only two recommended stops, ensure they are well-placed for both rest and refueling. Consider breaking the drive roughly in half to avoid fatigue.
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 227.2 miles from Ferry Pass, FL, or about 4h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 282.8 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 100 miles or 1h 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 227.2 miles or 4h 5m 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 227.2 miles or 4h 5m
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 4m
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 Ferry Pass, 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 Ferry Pass, FL
Aim for roughly 227 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Lakeland, FL
Aim for roughly 227 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 100 miles from Ferry Pass, 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 282.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
227 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Macclenny, FLOvernight Options
Night 1
227 mi · about 4.2h in
A practical overnight split lands near Macclenny, FL after about 227 miles or 4.2 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 100 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 227.2 miles from Ferry Pass, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 282.8 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 227 miles or 4.2 hours on the road.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Leon County Rest Area Westbound
0.1 mi from route
Leon County Rest Area Eastbound
0.1 mi from route
Columbia County Rest Area (I-75 northbound)
0.1 mi from route
Jefferson County Rest Area Westbound
0.1 mi from route
Gadsden County Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Okaloosa County Rest Area Westbound
0.1 mi from route
Okaloosa County Rest Area Eastbound
0.1 mi from route
Jackson County Rest Area Westbound
0.1 mi from route
Jackson County Rest Area Eastbound
0.1 mi from route
Madison County Rest Area Westbound
0.1 mi from route
Columbia County Rest Area (I-75 northbound)
0.1 mi from route
Alachua County Rest Area (I-75 northbound)
0.1 mi from route
Marion County Rest Area Northbound
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Jefferson County Rest Area Eastbound
0.2 mi from route
Madison County Rest Area Eastbound
0.2 mi from route
Suwannee County Rest Area Eastbound
0.2 mi from route
Columbia County Rest Area Westbound
0.2 mi from route
Columbia County Rest Area (I-75 southbound)
0.2 mi from route
Marion County Rest Area Southbound
0.2 mi from route
Wildwood I-75 Weigh Station Northbound
0.2 mi from route
Ponce de Leon Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Busy Bee Truck Stop
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Santa Rosa County Rest Area Eastbound
0.3 mi from route
Santa Rosa County Rest Area Westbound
0.3 mi from route
Wildwood I-75 Weigh Station Southbound
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Holmes County Rest Area
0.4 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 453 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.9 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
FL 291
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 291
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
7
1.1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Turn left toward I 10 East: Tallahassee
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 10 East: Tallahassee
8
399.1 mi into trip
|
~7h 9m 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
399.5 mi into trip
|
~7h 10m 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
453 mi into trip
|
~8h 25m in
|
North Massachusetts Avenue
Turn right onto North Massachusetts Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$68.79 one way
$137.57 round trip
$3.85/gal
25.4 MPG avg
159 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $75.48 | $150.95 |
| premium | $4.55 | $81.40 | $162.80 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $85.80 | $171.60 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$69
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$199–$309
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 159 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $48 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 136.3 | 1 | $47.71 | $21.81 |
| Efficient EV | 113.6 | 1 | $39.76 | $18.18 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 181.8 | 2 | $63.62 | $29.08 |
Gas CO2
159 kg
EV CO2
53 kg (67% 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.
Origin
Ferry Pass, FL
Evening in Ferry Pass on Saturday
Local time
6:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
95°F
Sunny
NW 10 mph
4% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 3:32PM EDT by NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 16 at 11:29AM EDT until July 17 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Destination
Lakeland, FL
Evening in Lakeland on Saturday
Local time
7:19 PM
EDT
Current temp
94°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
WNW 9 mph
41% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 3:32PM EDT by NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 16 at 11:29AM EDT until July 17 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
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
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
8h 28m 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...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
$25
Park Closure: Fort Pickens Campground Restroom A Loop Closure
Caution: Road workers on Park Road in Davis Bayou
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is almost entirely highway, with 99% of the 454.4 miles on major interstates like I 10 and I 75. You'll experience a substantial stretch of 282.8 miles on I 10, likely featuring long, open stretches. The transition to surface roads, if any, will occur very late in your trip, as you approach your destination via FL 471. Be prepared for consistent high-speed cruising for the majority of your travel time.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 282.8 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and I 75. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in near FL 291.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 454.4 miles you will encounter 15 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 0.9 miles (FL 291): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 1.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 399.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
291 ft
65 ft
Total Climb
570 ft
Total Descent
485 ft
Highest Point
291 ft
~64.9 mi in
Elevation Range
227 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Ferry Pass, FL to Lakeland, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Lake Panasoffkee along the way.
Lake Panasoffkee
399.1 mi in
|
~7h 9m
About the Cities
Starting in Ferry Pass, FL
Full guide →Arriving in Lakeland, FL
Full guide →Founded 1875
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.
Top landmarks
- • Child of the Sun — Florida
- • Polk Theatre — movie theater and theater in Lakeland, Florida
- • Beacon Hill-Alta Vista Residential District — historic district in Florida, United States
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
8h 28m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 282.8 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 227 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 47 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 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. There are 47 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles (FL 291): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 1.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 399.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Gulf Islands National Seashore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.5 hours each way, a round trip means 17.0 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.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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