Hollywood, FL to Winter Haven, FL is 207 miles and takes about 4h 8m via Florida's Turnpike and FL 60, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route cuts across the state of Florida, taking you from the southeastern coast inland towards Central Florida. With 93% of the drive on highways, it's a straightforward trip designed for efficiency. Consider this a practical way to get from one part of Florida to another without much fuss.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
103.5 miles from Hollywood, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
125.2 mi
2h 16m
FL 60
46.4 mi
59m
I 95
15.1 mi
17m
Cypress Gardens Boulevard
6.9 mi
11m
US 27
5.9 mi
8m
Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
1.3 mi
2m
1st Street South
1.2 mi
2m
Hollywood Boulevard
1.2 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 125.2 mi, about 2h 16m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 38 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~5,148 veh/hr typical
· worst 6,164
Quietest
2 AM
~297 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 103 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 Winter Haven, 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
15 mi·17 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 36Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward SR 814 West: Atlantic Boulevard WestUse the left / slight right lanes.
8
Turn left onto SR 814
0.4 mi·44 sec·West Atlantic Boulevard
Use the left lane.
9
Turn right onto North Andrews Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·North Andrews Avenue
Use the right lane.
10
Turn left onto Northwest 16th Avenue
0.1 mi·28 sec·Northwest 16th Avenue
Use the left lane.
11
Turn right onto Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
1.3 mi·2 min·Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the left lane.
12
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward Florida's Turnpike: Miami, Orlando
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North
14
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
125 mi·2 hr 16 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 193Toward US 441, FL 60: Yeehaw Junction
16
Keep slight right at fork
245 ft·6 sec
Use the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto FL 60
46 mi·59 min·FL 60
Use the left lane.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward US 27: Haines City, Avon Park
19
Keep slight right at fork
201 ft·7 sec
20
Merge onto US 27
4.5 mi·6 min·US 27
21
Continue on US 27
1.4 mi·1 min·US 27
22
Turn left onto FL 540
6.9 mi·11 min·Cypress Gardens Boulevard
23
Turn right onto 1st Street South
1.2 mi·2 min·1st Street South
24
Turn left onto West Central Avenue
0.4 mi·45 sec·West Central Avenue
25
Arrive at destination
West Central Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a single-day drive of about 4 hours, you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the morning allows you to reach Winter Haven with plenty of daylight remaining. The route is efficient, but be mindful of the 125.2-mile stretch on Florida's Turnpike; ensure you have adequate fuel before entering this longer segment. With only one recommended stop, plan it strategically for a break or to refuel if needed.
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 103.5 miles from Hollywood, FL, or about 1h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 125.2 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 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 103.5 miles or 1h 57m 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 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Winter Haven, 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 207 miles and 4h 8m.
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 Florida's Turnpike for about 125.2 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.2 and 145.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
6
16.7 mi into trip|~20m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 36
8
17 mi into trip|~20m in
Keep slight left at fork toward SR 814 West: Atlantic Boulevard West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / slight right lanes.
Toward SR 814 West: Atlantic Boulevard West
6
19.6 mi into trip|~26m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North
6
145.2 mi into trip|~2h 43m in
Take the exit toward US 441, FL 60: Yeehaw Junction
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 193
Toward US 441, FL 60: Yeehaw Junction
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.28 one way
$66.57 round trip
$4.08/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.44
$36.20
$72.40
premium
$4.78
$38.94
$77.88
diesel
$6.18
$50.36
$100.71
Estimated Tolls: $8.76
Florida's Turnpike
(125.2 mi)$8.76
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
$33
Tolls
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62.1
0
$21.74
$9.94
Efficient EV
51.8
0
$18.11
$8.28
EV Truck/SUV
82.8
1
$28.98
$13.25
Gas CO2
72 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 Oct 17, 2026
Origin
Hollywood, FL
Morning
in Hollywood on Sunday
Local time
9:40 AM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
E 1 to 5 mph95% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 17 at 9:31AM EDT until October 20 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued October 17 at 9:04AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Destination
Winter Haven, FL
Morning
in Winter Haven on Sunday
Local time
9:40 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
NNW 2 to 14 mph49% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 17 at 9:31AM EDT until October 20 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued October 17 at 9:04AM 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.
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
7 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
4h 8m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is predominantly highway driving, with 93% of the 207 miles on major roads like Florida's Turnpike and FL 60. You'll experience a longest stretch of 125.2 miles on Florida's Turnpike before transitioning to surface roads. Expect to encounter numerous exits along the Turnpike, characteristic of a high-speed toll road.
93% 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: 125.2 mi on Florida's Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and FL 60. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.2 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 23 significant decision points across 207 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 1.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 17 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
165 ft9 ft
Total Climb
167 ft
Total Descent
11 ft
Highest Point
165 ft
~207 mi in
Elevation Range
156 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hollywood, FL and Winter Haven, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike: Miami, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North and Avon Park.
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
Winter Haven is the second largest city in Polk County, Florida. The city was an agricultural center, but in the 1990s and 2000s, it has become a largely residential and manufacturing city. Winter Haven is home to Legoland and the "Chain of Lakes".
Top landmarks
•Legoland Florida — vacation resort in Winter Haven, Florida
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 8m. Total distance: 207 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 125.2 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $8.76 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.
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 Winter Haven, 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 1.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 17 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Winter Haven, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
