This 206.8-mile drive from Winter Haven to Hollywood, Florida, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 6 minutes. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, with Florida's Turnpike and I-95 forming the backbone of this journey. With a highway share of 93%, expect a focused drive primarily on high-speed roads. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $33, making it an economical option. This route is straightforward and efficient, perfect for getting from one point in Florida to another without significant detours.
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
103.4 miles from Winter Haven, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
125.3 mi
2h 15m
FL 60
46.5 mi
59m
I 95
15.1 mi
17m
Cypress Gardens Boulevard
6.9 mi
11m
US 27
5.9 mi
7m
Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
1.4 mi
2m
1st Street South
1.2 mi
2m
Hollywood Boulevard
1.1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 125.3 mi, about 2h 15m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 19 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 Winter Haven, FL and Hollywood, FL.
1
Start on West Central Avenue
0.4 mi·46 sec·West Central Avenue
2
Turn right onto 1st Street South
1.2 mi·2 min·1st Street South
3
Turn left onto FL 540
6.9 mi·11 min·Cypress Gardens Boulevard
Use the left lane.
4
Turn right onto US 27
5.9 mi·7 min·US 27
Use the left lane.
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Use the left lane.
6
Merge onto FL 60
0.1 mi·14 sec·FL 60
7
Continue on FL 60
46 mi·59 min·FL 60
Use the left lane.
8
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Use the left lane.
9
Continue on this road
295 ft·7 sec·this road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward Florida's Turnpike South: MiamiUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
125 mi·2 hr 15 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 67Toward Coconut Creek Parkway, Martin Luther King BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
251 ft·15 sec
Toward East Martin Luther King Boulevard, Atlantic Boulevard
14
Turn left onto Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
1.4 mi·2 min·Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
15
Turn left onto Northwest 16th Avenue
0.1 mi·25 sec·Northwest 16th Avenue
16
Turn right onto North Andrews Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·North Andrews Avenue
17
Turn left onto SR 814
497 ft·16 sec·West Atlantic Boulevard
Use the left lane.
18
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·58 sec
Toward I 95 South: Miami
19
Merge onto I 95
15 mi·17 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Exit 20Toward SR 820: Hollywood BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
21
Turn left onto SR 820
0.6 mi·1 min·Hollywood Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on SR 820
391 ft·5 sec·SR 820
23
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 820
0.5 mi·38 sec·Hollywood Boulevard
Use the right lane.
24
Arrive at destination
SR 820
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour duration, this trip is easily manageable as a single-day excursion from Winter Haven to Hollywood. To make the most of your travel time, consider an early morning departure to avoid potential traffic, especially as you get closer to South Florida. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 125.3 miles, you can plan your breaks strategically. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $33 estimated cost suggests a good portion of the drive is on toll roads where services can be spaced out. A key tip for this route is to ensure your E-ZPass or SunPass is readily accessible for smooth passage on Florida's Turnpike and I-95.
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 103.4 miles from Winter Haven, FL, or about 2h 8m 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 45 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 103.4 miles or 2h 8m 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 20m
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 Winter Haven, 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 Winter Haven, FL
This is one driving day of about 206.8 miles and 4h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Winter Haven, 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 14.5 and 206.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
14.5 mi into trip|~22m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
61.4 mi into trip|~1h 23m 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
186.8 mi into trip|~3h 39m 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
205.2 mi into trip|~4h 4m 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
206.3 mi into trip|~4h 6m 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
$31.30 one way
$62.61 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$34.35
$68.70
premium
$4.55
$37.04
$74.09
diesel
$4.80
$39.05
$78.10
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
$31
Tolls
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62
0
$21.71
$9.93
Efficient EV
51.7
0
$18.10
$8.27
EV Truck/SUV
82.7
1
$28.95
$13.24
Gas CO2
72 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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Winter Haven, FL
Afternoon
in Winter Haven on Sunday
Local time
3:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
SE 6 mph26% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Hollywood, FL
Afternoon
in Hollywood on Sunday
Local time
3:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Partly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 6 to 10 mph16% chanceLive 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 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 6m 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 is a highway-focused drive, with 93% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll experience long stretches of consistent speed, including a significant 125.3-mile segment on Florida's Turnpike. The character of the drive is predominantly that of a fast-paced journey, allowing you to cover ground efficiently. While the majority is highway, be prepared for transitions as you approach your destination in Hollywood. It's a route built for making miles rather than for leisurely sightseeing.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 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 14.5 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 19 significant decision points across 206.8 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 14.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 61.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 186.8 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
165 ft9 ft
Total Climb
7 ft
Total Descent
163 ft
Highest Point
165 ft
Elevation Range
156 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 Winter Haven, FL to Hollywood, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Florida's Turnpike South: Miami along the way.
Florida's Turnpike South: Miami
61.4 mi in|~1h 23m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Winter Haven is the second largest city in Polk County, Florida. The city was an agricultural center, but in the 1990s and 2000s, it has become a largely residential and manufacturing city. Winter Haven is home to Legoland and the "Chain of Lakes".
Top landmarks
•Legoland Florida — vacation resort in Winter Haven, Florida
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 6m. Total distance: 206.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 6m 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 12 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 12 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 14.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 61.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 186.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Hollywood, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
