Lakeland Highlands to Hollywood is 217 miles and takes about 4 hours 19 minutes via Florida's Turnpike and I-95, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, moving from the central part of the state down towards the southeast coast. Expect a fairly straightforward, highway-focused journey for the most part. With a recommended one-day drive, you can easily complete this trip without needing an overnight stop. It's a practical option for getting from one point to another efficiently.
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
108.5 miles from Lakeland Highlands, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
125.3 mi
2h 15m
FL 60
61.7 mi
1h 19m
I 95
15.1 mi
17m
Boy Scout Ranch Road
4.8 mi
8m
Bartow Road
3.2 mi
4m
Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
1.4 mi
2m
Hollywood Boulevard
1.1 mi
1m
Broadway Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 125.3 mi, about 2h 15m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 38 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~5,207 veh/hr typical
· worst 6,073
Quietest
2 AM
~284 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
18.3×
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 Lakeland Highlands, FL and Hollywood, FL.
1
Start on CR 37A
0.5 mi·1 min·Scott Lake Road
2
Turn left onto CR 540A
4.8 mi·8 min·Boy Scout Ranch Road
Use the left lane.
3
Turn right onto US 98
3.2 mi·4 min·Bartow Road
4
Continue on US 98
0.6 mi·1 min·Broadway Avenue
5
Turn left onto US 98; FL 60
0.5 mi·1 min·Van Fleet Drive
Use the left lane.
6
Continue on FL 60
0.3 mi·26 sec·FL 60
7
Continue on FL 60
11 mi·13 min·FL 60
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on FL 60
4.3 mi·5 min·FL 60
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on FL 60
46 mi·59 min·FL 60
Use the left lane.
10
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Use the left lane.
11
Continue on this road
295 ft·7 sec·this road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward Florida's Turnpike South: MiamiUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
125 mi·2 hr 15 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 67Toward Coconut Creek Parkway, Martin Luther King BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
251 ft·15 sec
Toward East Martin Luther King Boulevard, Atlantic Boulevard
16
Turn left onto Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
1.4 mi·2 min·Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
17
Turn left onto Northwest 16th Avenue
0.1 mi·25 sec·Northwest 16th Avenue
18
Turn right onto North Andrews Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·North Andrews Avenue
19
Turn left onto SR 814
497 ft·16 sec·West Atlantic Boulevard
Use the left lane.
20
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·58 sec
Toward I 95 South: Miami
21
Merge onto I 95
15 mi·17 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Exit 20Toward SR 820: Hollywood BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
23
Turn left onto SR 820
0.6 mi·1 min·Hollywood Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
24
Continue on SR 820
391 ft·5 sec·SR 820
25
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 820
0.5 mi·38 sec·Hollywood Boulevard
Use the right lane.
26
Arrive at destination
SR 820
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour 19-minute duration, starting your drive in the morning will allow ample time to reach Hollywood before evening. The longest stretch without a major exit is over 125 miles on Florida's Turnpike, so ensure you have sufficient fuel before embarking on that segment. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in choosing where to take a break, but planning for a quick fuel and stretch stop midway would be wise. This is a manageable one-day drive, so you can depart at your convenience.
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 108.5 miles from Lakeland Highlands, FL, or about 2h 15m 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 48 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108.5 miles or 2h 15m 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 31m
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 Lakeland Highlands, 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 Highlands, FL
This is one driving day of about 217 miles and 4h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Lakeland Highlands, 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 71.4 and 216.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
71.4 mi into trip|~1h 35m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
71.6 mi into trip|~1h 35m 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
197 mi into trip|~3h 51m 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...
7
215.4 mi into trip|~4h 16m 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
216.4 mi into trip|~4h 18m 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
$32.85 one way
$65.70 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg76 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$36.04
$72.09
premium
$4.55
$38.87
$77.74
diesel
$4.80
$40.97
$81.95
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
$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: 75.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65.1
0
$22.79
$10.42
Efficient EV
54.3
0
$18.99
$8.68
EV Truck/SUV
86.8
1
$30.38
$13.89
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Highlands, FL
Evening
in Lakeland Highlands on Monday
Local time
8:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
SSE 3 to 9 mph42% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 5:08PM CDT until July 18 at 5:45PM CDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 5:05PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Destination
Hollywood, FL
Evening
in Hollywood on Monday
Local time
8:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
91°F
Partly Sunny
SE 12 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 5:08PM CDT until July 18 at 5:45PM CDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 5:05PM 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
17 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 19m 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 route is 93% highway, so be prepared for a drive that primarily utilizes major roadways. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 125.3 miles on Florida's Turnpike, offering a long, uninterrupted highway experience. The profile is highway-focused, meaning you'll spend most of your time on high-speed roads like Florida's Turnpike and I-95. While the majority is interstate, this can offer a predictable and efficient travel pace.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 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?
9/10
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 71.4 miles in.
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 17 significant decision points across 217 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 71.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 71.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 197 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
222 ft9 ft
Total Climb
24 ft
Total Descent
237 ft
Highest Point
222 ft
Elevation Range
213 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 Highlands, FL to Hollywood, 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.
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 4h 19m. Total distance: 217 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 19m 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 125.3 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 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. There are 13 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 71.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 71.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 197 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 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Hollywood, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
