Lakeland to Sunrise is 211.5 miles and takes about 4h 20m via Florida's Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Florida, taking you from the heart of the state down towards South Florida. With 89% of the trip on highways, expect a fairly direct and efficient travel experience. This route is best suited for a single-day trip, making it a convenient option when you need to get from central to southern Florida quickly. Consider this for a straightforward transit between these two regions.
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
105.7 miles from Lakeland, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
125.3 mi
2h 15m
FL 60
61.7 mi
1h 19m
Bartow Road
10.7 mi
16m
South Powerline Road
3.4 mi
6m
West Sunrise Boulevard
2 mi
4m
Northwest 9th Avenue
1.9 mi
3m
South Pompano Parkway
1 mi
1m
Northwest 31st Avenue
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 125.3 mi, about 2h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lakeland, FL and Sunrise, FL.
1
Start on East Walnut Street
279 ft·16 sec·East Walnut Street
2
Turn left onto South Lake Avenue
269 ft·15 sec·South Lake Avenue
3
Turn right onto East Lime Street
0.4 mi·55 sec·East Lime Street
4
Turn right onto US 98
11 mi·16 min·Bartow Road
Use the right lane.
5
Continue on US 98
0.6 mi·1 min·Broadway Avenue
6
Turn left onto US 98; FL 60
0.5 mi·1 min·Van Fleet Drive
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on FL 60
0.3 mi·26 sec·FL 60
8
Continue on FL 60
11 mi·13 min·FL 60
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on FL 60
4.3 mi·5 min·FL 60
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on FL 60
46 mi·59 min·FL 60
Use the left lane.
11
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Use the left lane.
12
Continue on this road
295 ft·7 sec·this road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward Florida's Turnpike South: MiamiUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
125 mi·2 hr 15 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 67Toward Coconut Creek Parkway, Martin Luther King BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
192 ft·6 sec
Toward East Martin Luther King Boulevard, Atlantic Boulevard
17
Continue on Northwest 31st Avenue
1.0 mi·1 min·Northwest 31st Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
18
At end of road, turn left onto SR 814
0.6 mi·1 min·West Atlantic Boulevard
Use the left lane.
19
Turn right onto SR 845
1.0 mi·1 min·South Pompano Parkway
Use the right lane.
20
Continue on SR 845
0.2 mi·21 sec·North Powerline Road
21
Continue on SR 845
3.4 mi·6 min·South Powerline Road
Use the left lane.
22
Continue on SR 845
1.9 mi·3 min·Northwest 9th Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
23
Turn left onto SR 838
2.0 mi·4 min·West Sunrise Boulevard
Use the straight / left lanes.
24
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 838
0.5 mi·1 min·East Sunrise Boulevard
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
25
Turn right onto Northeast 24th Avenue
0.1 mi·22 sec·Northeast 24th Avenue
26
Turn left onto Northeast 9th Street
0.3 mi·48 sec·Northeast 9th Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
27
Turn right onto Northeast 26th Avenue
311 ft·13 sec·Northeast 26th Avenue
28
Turn right onto Northeast 8th Street
296 ft·14 sec·Northeast 8th Street
29
Turn left onto Northeast 25th Way
358 ft·14 sec·Northeast 25th Way
30
Turn right onto Northeast 7th Place
286 ft·9 sec·Northeast 7th Place
31
Arrive at destination
Northeast 7th Place
Trip Plan
Leaving Lakeland in the morning, ideally before peak traffic, will set you up for a smooth 4h 20m drive to Sunrise. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility with stops, but planning one break during the 125.3-mile stretch on Florida's Turnpike is advisable. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $33 and services can be spaced out on the Turnpike. The transition from highway to surface roads will be your cue to be more aware of local traffic patterns as you get closer to Sunrise.
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 105.7 miles from Lakeland, FL, or about 2h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 125.3 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 47 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105.7 miles or 2h 13m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sunrise, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lakeland, 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 Lakeland, FL
This is one driving day of about 211.5 miles and 4h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Lakeland, 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 125.3 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 74.1 and 201.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
74.1 mi into trip|~1h 39m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
74.3 mi into trip|~1h 39m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Florida's Turnpike South: Miami
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Florida's Turnpike South: Miami
8
199.7 mi into trip|~3h 55m in
Take the exit toward Coconut Creek Parkway, Martin Luther King Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 67
Toward Coconut Creek Parkway, Martin Luther Kin...
6
200.4 mi into trip|~3h 57m in
Keep slight left at fork toward East Martin Luther King Boulevard, Atlantic Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward East Martin Luther King Boulevard, Atlan...
6
201.9 mi into trip|~4h in|SR 845 / South Pompano Parkway
Turn right onto SR 845 / South Pompano Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.02 one way
$64.03 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg74 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$35.13
$70.26
premium
$4.55
$37.89
$75.77
diesel
$4.80
$39.94
$79.87
Estimated Tolls: $8.77
Florida's Turnpike
(125.3 mi)$8.77
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
$32
Tolls
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
63.5
0
$22.21
$10.15
Efficient EV
52.9
0
$18.51
$8.46
EV Truck/SUV
84.6
1
$29.61
$13.54
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (66% 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 18, 2026
Origin
Lakeland, FL
Morning
in Lakeland on Sunday
Local time
7:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
SE 3 to 7 mph41% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 6:13PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 5:52PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Destination
Sunrise, FL
Morning
in Sunrise on Sunday
Local time
7:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Partly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 7 to 12 mph23% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 6:13PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 5:52PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
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
6 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 20m 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 89% of the 211.5 miles spent on high-speed roads. You'll encounter the longest stretch of continuous highway at 125.3 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The highway portion concludes as you approach your destination, transitioning to surface roads like Bartow Road. Expect a steady pace for the majority of your travel time.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 125.3 mi on Florida's Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 74.1 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 211.5 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 74.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 74.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 199.7 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
196 ft3 ft
Total Climb
76 ft
Total Descent
269 ft
Highest Point
196 ft
Elevation Range
193 ft
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 Lakeland, FL to Sunrise, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Florida's Turnpike South: Miami 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.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 20m. Total distance: 211.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 125.3 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $8.77 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 13 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 Sunrise, 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 13 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 74.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 74.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 199.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Sunrise, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
