Hollywood, FL to Lake Sarasota, FL is 208.2 miles and takes about 3h 48m via I 75 and I 95, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip keeps you within Florida for its entirety, primarily utilizing major interstates for a straightforward transit. Expect a quick drive that feels like a functional commute rather than a scenic adventure. If you're looking to get from the South Florida coast to the central Gulf Coast efficiently, this route gets you there without much fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
104.1 miles from Hollywood, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
188.5 mi
3h 21m
Port Everglades Expressway
11.8 mi
13m
I 95
4.1 mi
4m
Hollywood Boulevard
1.2 mi
1m
Mauna Loa Boulevard
0.4 mi
<1m
Bee Ridge Road
0.2 mi
<1m
Timor Place
<0.1 mi
<1m
Samoa Drive
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 188.5 mi, about 3h 21m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 46 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,826 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,424
Quietest
2 AM
~185 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.3×
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 Hollywood, FL and Lake Sarasota, FL.
1
Start on SR 820
216 ft·12 sec·Hollywood Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
2
Continue on SR 820
0.8 mi·1 min·Hollywood Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
3
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 820
0.4 mi·38 sec·Hollywood Boulevard
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I 95 North: West Palm BeachUse the right lane.
5
Merge onto I 95
4.1 mi·4 min·I 95
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 24Toward I 595: Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International AirportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 595 WestUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 595
1.7 mi·2 min·Port Everglades Expressway
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 595
10 mi·11 min·Port Everglades Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 75
188 mi·3 hr 21 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 207Toward FL 758: Sarasota
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·20 sec
13
Turn straight onto FL 758
0.2 mi·28 sec·Bee Ridge Road
14
Turn right onto Mauna Loa Boulevard
0.4 mi·55 sec·Mauna Loa Boulevard
15
Turn right onto Samoa Drive
280 ft·17 sec·Samoa Drive
16
Turn left onto Timor Place
457 ft·20 sec·Timor Place
17
Arrive at destination
Timor Place
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 3h 48m duration, you can easily complete this drive in a single day. Aim to depart Hollywood, FL in the morning to take advantage of daylight and avoid the worst of rush hour traffic. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $33, you won't need extensive planning. Keep an eye on I 75 for potential construction delays as it's the main artery for the longest portion of your trip. Your longest stretch without a major road change is 188.5 miles on I 75, so ensure you have entertainment for that segment.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 104.1 miles from Hollywood, FL, or about 1h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 188.5 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 46 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.1 miles or 1h 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lake Sarasota, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hollywood, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Hollywood, FL
This is one driving day of about 208.2 miles and 3h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Hollywood, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 188.5 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 8.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.8 mi into trip|~1m in|SR 820 / Hollywood Boulevard
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 820 / Hollywood Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
1.2 mi into trip|~1m in
Take the exit toward I 95 North: West Palm Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 95 North: West Palm Beach
8
5.6 mi into trip|~7m in
Take the exit toward I 595: Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport
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 24
Toward I 595: Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale-...
7
5.8 mi into trip|~7m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 595 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 595 West
6
8.4 mi into trip|~11m in|I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.52 one way
$63.03 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg73 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$34.58
$69.17
premium
$4.55
$37.30
$74.59
diesel
$4.80
$39.31
$78.62
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62.5
0
$21.86
$9.99
Efficient EV
52.1
0
$18.22
$8.33
EV Truck/SUV
83.3
1
$29.15
$13.32
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Hollywood, FL
Morning
in Hollywood on Sunday
Local time
7:05 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Partly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 6 to 10 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Lake Sarasota, FL
Morning
in Lake Sarasota on Sunday
Local time
7:05 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 9 mph49% chanceLive forecast
79°F
Golden Gate, FL
104 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
4 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
3h 48m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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.
De Soto National Memorial
National Memorial
In May 1539, Conquistador Hernando de Soto’s army of soldiers, hired mercenaries, craftsmen, and clergy made landfall in Tampa Bay. They were met with fierce resistance of indigenous people protecting...
20 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 208.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is almost entirely on major highways, with 98% of the 208.2 miles being interstate cruising. You'll experience a long stretch of 188.5 miles on I 75, which means consistent speed limits and straightforward navigation. Expect frequent exits and merging traffic as you pass through various Florida urban and suburban areas before transitioning to a more open feel on I 75. The Port Everglades Expressway and I 95 form the initial part of the route before you join I 75.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 188.5 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Port Everglades Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in near SR 820 / Hollywood Boulevard.
Driving Effort9/10
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 15 significant decision points across 208.2 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 0.8 miles (SR 820 / Hollywood Boulevard): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 1.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.6 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
34 ft9 ft
Total Climb
47 ft
Total Descent
28 ft
Highest Point
34 ft
~193.3 mi in
Elevation Range
25 ft
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Hollywood is a city in Florida, located between Fort Lauderdale and Miami. With a population of 153,000 people (2022), Hollywood is a relatively small city that retains an old, laid-back, Florida feel to it compared to the larger cities in the area.
Top landmarks
•Hollywood Boulevard Historic Business District — human settlement in Hollywood, Florida, United States of America
•Hollywood Garden Club — clubhouse in Hollywood, United States of America
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 48m. Total distance: 208.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 188.5 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 12 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 Lake Sarasota, 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 12 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles (SR 820 / Hollywood Boulevard): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 1.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — De Soto National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Lake Sarasota, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
