This 208.4-mile drive from Lake Sarasota, FL to Hollywood, FL is a straightforward, highway-focused journey designed for a single day of travel. Expect to spend around 3 hours and 48 minutes on the road, with the majority of your time spent on I-75 and I-95. With a fuel cost estimated at $33, this route is budget-friendly for a quick hop between two points within Florida. The direct nature of this drive makes it ideal for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. It's a practical option for moving between the Gulf Coast side of Florida and the Atlantic coast.
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
104.2 miles from Lake Sarasota, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
188.3 mi
3h 21m
Port Everglades Expressway
12.4 mi
14m
I 95
3.8 mi
4m
Hollywood Boulevard
1.1 mi
1m
Bee Ridge Road
0.6 mi
1m
Mauna Loa Boulevard
0.4 mi
<1m
Timor Place
<0.1 mi
<1m
SR 820
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 188.3 mi, about 3h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Sarasota, FL and Hollywood, FL.
1
Start on Timor Place
457 ft·22 sec·Timor Place
2
Turn right onto Samoa Drive
280 ft·17 sec·Samoa Drive
3
Turn left onto Mauna Loa Boulevard
0.4 mi·55 sec·Mauna Loa Boulevard
4
Turn left onto Bee Ridge Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Bee Ridge Road
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·51 sec
Toward I 75 South: NaplesUse the left lane.
6
Merge onto I 75
7.0 mi·7 min·I 75
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
181 mi·3 hr 14 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 595
12 mi·14 min·Port Everglades Expressway
Exit 19Toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Springs, Fort LauderdaleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 10BToward I 95 South: MiamiUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward I 95 South: Miami
11
Merge onto I 95
3.8 mi·4 min·I 95
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Exit 20Toward SR 820: Hollywood BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
13
Turn left onto SR 820
0.6 mi·1 min·Hollywood Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on SR 820
391 ft·5 sec·SR 820
15
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 820
0.5 mi·38 sec·Hollywood Boulevard
Use the right lane.
16
Arrive at destination
SR 820
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 48-minute duration, starting your trip in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight and allow for a comfortable arrival. While this is a manageable one-day drive, plan for one stop to break up the journey, especially during the 188.3-mile stretch on I-75. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $33 estimated cost suggests a full tank will get you there, but it's always wise to top off before embarking on longer highway segments. The high percentage of highway driving means you'll want to be aware of potential traffic, particularly as you near the Hollywood area.
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 104.2 miles from Lake Sarasota, FL, or about 1h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 188.3 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 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.2 miles or 1h 53m 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 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hollywood, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lake Sarasota, 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 Lake Sarasota, FL
This is one driving day of about 208.4 miles and 3h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Lake Sarasota, 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 188.3 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 8.4 and 207.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
8.4 mi into trip|~11m in|I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
189.7 mi into trip|~3h 25m in|I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 19
Toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Spr...
7
202.1 mi into trip|~3h 39m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South: Miami
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 10B
Toward I 95 South: Miami
7
206.9 mi into trip|~3h 46m in
Take the exit toward SR 820: Hollywood Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 20
Toward SR 820: Hollywood Boulevard
7
207.9 mi into trip|~3h 48m in|SR 820 / Hollywood Boulevard
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 820 / Hollywood Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.17 one way
$66.34 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg73 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$36.08
$72.17
premium
$4.72
$38.75
$77.50
diesel
$5.61
$46.01
$92.02
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62.5
0
$21.88
$10.00
Efficient EV
52.1
0
$18.24
$8.34
EV Truck/SUV
83.4
1
$29.18
$13.34
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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Lake Sarasota, FL
Late night
in Lake Sarasota on Sunday
Local time
3:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hollywood, FL
Late night
in Hollywood on Sunday
Local time
3:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Naples, 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
16 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
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a predominantly highway experience, with 98% of the journey taking place on major interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers an impressive 188.3 miles primarily on I-75, meaning you'll be in a consistent driving rhythm for a significant portion of the trip. You'll transition onto the Port Everglades Expressway and then I-95 as you approach your destination. This highway-focused profile suggests a drive characterized by speed and efficiency rather than winding scenic byways, making it ideal for covering distance quickly.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 188.3 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 8.4 miles in near I 75.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 208.4 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 8.4 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 189.7 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 202.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Lake Sarasota, FL to Hollywood, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Lauderdale along the way.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 48m. Total distance: 208.4 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 188.3 miles on I 75. 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 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 Hollywood, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 8.4 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 189.7 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 202.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Hollywood, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
