Origin
Altamonte Springs, FL
Evening in Altamonte Springs on Wednesday
Local time
5:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Altamonte Springs, FL to Lakeland, FL
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
1h 23m
Distance
64.2 mi
103 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 17m
★
6 AM
1h 23m
8 AM
1h 36m
10 AM
1h 28m
12 PM
1h 26m
3 PM
1h 28m
5 PM
1h 35m
8 PM
1h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Altamonte Springs, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Lakeland, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 64.2-mile drive from Altamonte Springs, FL, to Lakeland, FL, is easily manageable in about 1 hour and 23 minutes, making it an ideal day trip. The route is primarily highway-focused, with 87% of the journey on major roads like I-4. With an estimated fuel cost of $10, this trip is quite economical. You'll be traveling within Florida for the entire duration, so no need to worry about crossing state lines or changing regions. Given its short length and minimal stops, this route offers a quick and efficient way to get from one Florida city to another.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
32.1 miles from Altamonte Springs, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 41m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway experience on this 64.2-mile trip. With 87% of the drive on major roads, you'll spend most of your time on I-4, which accounts for the longest continuous stretch of 56.1 miles. The main arteries you'll navigate include I-4, Lakeland Hills Boulevard, and East Altamonte Drive. This profile suggests a generally fast-paced journey, with minimal transitions to slower local roads. The character of the drive is consistent, focusing on efficient travel rather than varied scenery.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 4 is the longest continuous segment at about 56.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 4 and Lakeland Hills Boulevard. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 64.2 miles you will encounter 11 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 1.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles (I 4): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.6 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
2 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
I 4
Merge onto I 4
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
8.6 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Take the exit toward Ivanhoe Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 84B
Toward Ivanhoe Boulevard
5
9.7 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
I 4
Merge onto I 4
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
59.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 12m in
Take the exit toward CR 582: Lakeland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 33
Toward CR 582: Lakeland
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 Altamonte Springs, FL to Lakeland, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Cr 582: Lakeland along the way.
Cr 582: Lakeland
59.1 mi in
|
~1h 12m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 4 | 56.1 mi | 1h 5m |
| Lakeland Hills Boulevard | 2.9 mi | 5m |
| East Altamonte Drive | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| North Massachusetts Avenue | 1 mi | 2m |
| North Socrum Loop Road | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Lake Morton Drive | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Maitland Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| East Walnut Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 4
— 56.1 mi, about 1h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Altamonte Springs, FL and Lakeland, FL.
1
Start on Orienta Avenue
79 ft
·
6 sec
·
Orienta Avenue
2
Turn right onto CR 427
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
Maitland Avenue
3
Turn left onto FL 436
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
East Altamonte Drive
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Use the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 4
6.7 mi
·
8 min
·
I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 84B
Toward Ivanhoe Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
7
Continue on this road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
this road
Toward I 4 West: Tampa
8
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
this road
Toward I 4 West: Tampa
9
Merge onto I 4
49 mi
·
57 min
·
I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 33
Toward CR 582: Lakeland
Use the slight right lane.
11
Turn left onto CR 582
0.5 mi
·
53 sec
·
North Socrum Loop Road
12
Turn right onto FL 33
2.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Lakeland Hills Boulevard
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on North Massachusetts Avenue
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North Massachusetts Avenue
14
At end of road, turn left onto Lake Morton Drive
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
Lake Morton Drive
15
Turn left onto East Walnut Street
422 ft
·
18 sec
·
East Walnut Street
16
Arrive at destination
East Walnut Street
Trip Plan
Given this is a short, 1-day drive of just over an hour, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Altamonte Springs in the morning or early afternoon should allow you to avoid significant traffic. The $10 fuel cost is minimal, so you shouldn't need to worry about frequent gas stops. Since the longest stretch on I-4 is 56.1 miles, plan to take any needed breaks before or after this main highway segment. Consider filling up your tank before you leave Altamonte Springs to ensure a seamless journey to Lakeland.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 32.1 miles from Altamonte Springs, FL, or about 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56.1 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 14 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 32.1 miles or 41m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 7m
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 Altamonte Springs, FL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Altamonte Springs, FL
This is one driving day of about 64.2 miles and 1h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 14 miles from Altamonte Springs, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 4 for about 56.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 32.1 mi from Altamonte Springs, FL · 41m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
32 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 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 32.1 miles from Altamonte Springs, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Lakeland, FL
The final approach into Lakeland, FL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.22 one way
$20.44 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
23 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $11.12 | $22.23 |
| premium | $4.72 | $11.94 | $23.88 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $14.17 | $28.35 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$35–$60
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 22.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 19.3 | 0 | $6.74 | $3.08 |
| Efficient EV | 16.1 | 0 | $5.62 | $2.57 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 25.7 | 0 | $8.99 | $4.11 |
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (64% 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
Evening in Lakeland on Wednesday
Local time
5:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 23m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Altamonte Springs, FL to Lakeland, FL covers 64.2 miles and takes about 1h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 4, Lakeland Hills Boulevard, East Altamonte Drive. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 32.1 miles from Altamonte Springs, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.22 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 64.2 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles (I 4): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Altamonte Springs, FL to Lakeland, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Cr 582: Lakeland along the way.
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