Lakeland Highlands to Pembroke Pines is 215.8 miles and takes about 4h 15m via Florida's Turnpike and FL 60, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Florida, connecting two distinct regions of the state. It's a straightforward trip, primarily on major highways, making it a solid choice if you're looking for an efficient way to get from central Florida down towards South Florida. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, it’s designed for a single-day transit.
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
107.9 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
142.7 mi
2h 36m
FL 60
61.7 mi
1h 19m
Boy Scout Ranch Road
4.8 mi
8m
Bartow Road
3.2 mi
4m
Broadway Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
Van Fleet Drive
0.5 mi
1m
Scott Lake Road
0.5 mi
1m
Southwest 64th Way
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 142.7 mi, about 2h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lakeland Highlands, FL and Pembroke Pines, 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
143 mi·2 hr 36 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·43 sec
Exit 49BToward SR 820 West: Pines BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto SR 820
0.2 mi·36 sec·Hollywood Boulevard
16
Turn left onto Southwest 64th Way
0.5 mi·1 min·Southwest 64th Way
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on Southwest 8th Street
0.2 mi·56 sec·Southwest 8th Street
18
Arrive at destination
Southwest 8th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 15m estimated drive time, leaving Lakeland Highlands in the morning will allow you to reach Pembroke Pines with plenty of daylight to spare. The route is designed for a single day, so you won't need to plan for an overnight stay. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility to push through or take a short break as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel as you approach the southern half of the Turnpike, as gas stations can become less frequent on longer stretches.
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 107.9 miles from Lakeland Highlands, FL, or about 2h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 142.7 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 107.9 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 Pembroke Pines, 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 215.8 miles and 4h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 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 142.7 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 71.4 and 215 — 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
5
71.7 mi into trip|~1h 36m in|Florida's Turnpike
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
214.4 mi into trip|~4h 12m in
Take the exit toward SR 820 West: Pines Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 49B
Toward SR 820 West: Pines Boulevard
6
215 mi into trip|~4h 13m in|Southwest 64th Way
Turn left onto Southwest 64th Way
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.35 one way
$68.70 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg76 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$37.37
$74.73
premium
$4.72
$40.13
$80.25
diesel
$5.61
$47.65
$95.29
Estimated Tolls: $9.99
Florida's Turnpike
(142.7 mi)$9.99
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
$34
Tolls
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
64.7
0
$22.66
$10.36
Efficient EV
54
0
$18.88
$8.63
EV Truck/SUV
86.3
1
$30.21
$13.81
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 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
Lakeland Highlands, FL
Morning
in Lakeland Highlands on Sunday
Local time
6:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Pembroke Pines, FL
Morning
in Pembroke Pines on Sunday
Local time
6:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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 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 15m 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 95% highway, with your longest stretch of 142.7 miles on Florida's Turnpike. You'll spend most of your time on high-speed, limited-access roads. Surface roads are primarily encountered at the beginning and end of the trip, with Boy Scout Ranch Road and FL 60 marking these transitions. Expect a steady pace with frequent exits on the Turnpike section.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 142.7 mi on Florida's Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and FL 60. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 71.4 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 215.8 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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 71.7 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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 Lakeland Highlands, FL to Pembroke Pines, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Florida's Turnpike South: Miami along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 15m. Total distance: 215.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 142.7 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $9.99 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.
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 Pembroke Pines, 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 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 71.7 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Pembroke Pines, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
