Origin
Sunrise, FL
Late night in Sunrise on Sunday
Local time
3:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Sunrise, FL to Lakeland, FL
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 21m
Distance
211.5 mi
340 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 9m
★
6 AM
4h 22m
8 AM
4h 48m
10 AM
4h 31m
12 PM
4h 28m
3 PM
4h 32m
5 PM
4h 47m
8 PM
4h 14m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sunrise, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Lakeland, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 211.5-mile journey from Sunrise, Florida to Lakeland, Florida is a straightforward drive, estimated to take about 4 hours and 21 minutes. It's perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. The route primarily utilizes Florida's Turnpike and FL 60, with 89% of it being highway driving, so expect a focus on covering ground efficiently. With an estimated fuel cost of $34, this trip is budget-friendly for a day excursion. The overall feel is that of a practical, highway-focused transit between two points within Florida.
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
105.8 miles from Sunrise, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 6m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Florida's Turnpike | 125.2 mi | 2h 16m |
| FL 60 | 61.6 mi | 1h 19m |
| Bartow Road | 10.7 mi | 16m |
| East Sunrise Boulevard | 2.4 mi | 5m |
| South Powerline Road | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| Northwest 9th Avenue | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| Powerline Road | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| South Pompano Parkway | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 125.2 mi, about 2h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sunrise, FL and Lakeland, FL.
1
Start on Northeast 7th Place
286 ft
·
15 sec
·
Northeast 7th Place
2
Turn left onto Northeast 25th Way
358 ft
·
13 sec
·
Northeast 25th Way
3
Turn right onto Northeast 8th Street
296 ft
·
15 sec
·
Northeast 8th Street
4
Turn left onto Northeast 26th Avenue
311 ft
·
15 sec
·
Northeast 26th Avenue
5
Turn left onto Northeast 9th Street
0.2 mi
·
43 sec
·
Northeast 9th Street
6
Continue on Northeast 24th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
Northeast 24th Avenue
Use the left lane.
7
Turn left onto SR 838
2.4 mi
·
5 min
·
East Sunrise Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
Turn right onto SR 845
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Northwest 9th Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on SR 845
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Powerline Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
10
Continue on SR 845
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
South Powerline Road
Use the left lane.
11
Continue on SR 845
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Pompano Parkway
Use the left lane.
12
Turn left onto SR 814
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West Atlantic Boulevard
13
Turn right onto Northwest 31st Avenue
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Northwest 31st Avenue
Use the right lane.
14
Continue on this road
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
this road
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll, Miami, Orlando
Use the straight / left lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North
16
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
125 mi
·
2 hr 16 min
·
Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 193
Toward US 441, FL 60: Yeehaw Junction
18
Keep slight right at fork
245 ft
·
6 sec
Use the slight right lane.
19
Merge onto FL 60
62 mi
·
1 hr 19 min
·
FL 60
Use the left lane.
20
Turn left onto US 98; FL 60
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Van Fleet Drive
Use the left lane.
21
Turn right onto US 98
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Broadway Avenue
Use the right lane.
22
Continue on US 98
11 mi
·
16 min
·
Bartow Road
Use the left lane.
23
Turn left onto East Lime Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
East Lime Street
Use the left lane.
24
Turn left onto South Lake Avenue
269 ft
·
13 sec
·
South Lake Avenue
25
Turn right onto East Walnut Street
279 ft
·
12 sec
·
East Walnut Street
26
Arrive at destination
East Walnut Street
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour, 21-minute drive, starting early in the morning is a good strategy to beat potential traffic and maximize your daylight hours in Lakeland. Since it's a manageable day trip, you have flexibility with stops; consider planning your single stop around the midpoint of your longest stretch on Florida's Turnpike for a break. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before embarking on that 125.2-mile segment on the Turnpike, as services can be spaced out. This route is designed for efficiency, so focus on a smooth transit rather than extensive sightseeing.
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 105.8 miles from Sunrise, FL, or about 2h 6m 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 47 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105.8 miles or 2h 6m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lakeland, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Sunrise, 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 Sunrise, FL
This is one driving day of about 211.5 miles and 4h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Sunrise, 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
106 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 105.8 miles from Sunrise, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Florida's Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 125.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 195 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 137.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Northeast 25th Way
Turn left onto Northeast 25th Way
Navigation decision point
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Northeast 26th Avenue
Turn left onto Northeast 26th Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
11.2 mi into trip
|
~23m 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
136.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 40m 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
6
137.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 42m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.67 one way
$67.33 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
74 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $36.62 | $73.24 |
| premium | $4.72 | $39.33 | $78.65 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $46.70 | $93.39 |
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
$34
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: 74 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 63.4 | 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.
Destination
Lakeland, FL
Late night in Lakeland on Sunday
Local time
3:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°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
6 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 21m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a drive that is predominantly highway-focused, with 89% of the route consisting of faster roads. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on Florida's Turnpike, including a continuous stretch of 125.2 miles, which means uninterrupted travel for a good while. Later, the route transitions to FL 60 and Bartow Road, offering a change of pace from the high-speed highway. This progression suggests a journey that moves from more open highway to potentially more developed or local road conditions as you approach Lakeland.
89% 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: 125.2 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 0.1 miles in near Northeast 25th Way.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 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 0.1 miles (Northeast 25th Way): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Northeast 26th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 11.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Sunrise, FL and Lakeland, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike Toll, Miami, Orlando and Florida's Turnpike North.
Florida's Turnpike Toll
11.1 mi in
|
~23m
Miami
11.1 mi in
|
~23m
Orlando
11.1 mi in
|
~23m
Florida's Turnpike North
11.2 mi in
|
~23m
About the Cities
Starting in Sunrise, FL
Full guide →Sunrise is a city in Broward County, Florida.
Arriving in Lakeland, FL
Full guide →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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 21m. Total distance: 211.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 21m 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 125.2 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.
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 Lakeland, 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 0.1 miles (Northeast 25th Way): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Northeast 26th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 11.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 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 Lakeland, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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