Origin
Auburndale, FL
Afternoon in Auburndale on Sunday
Local time
3:28 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Auburndale, FL to Lakeland, FL
Drive Time
20m
Distance
11.1 mi
18 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
Auburndale, FL
Arian Fernandez
Lakeland, FL
Matt Fitz Gibaud
Trip Overview
Traveling between Auburndale and Lakeland is a quick, straightforward journey covering just 11.1 miles. You can expect to spend about 20 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal trip to complete in a single day. Since the route stays entirely within Florida, you won't need to worry about crossing regional borders or adjusting your travel plans for long-distance fatigue. With a fuel budget of only $2, it is an incredibly economical drive for a short commute or local visit. Because there are no required stops along the way, you have the flexibility to head out whenever it suits your schedule. This local connection is perfect for those who prefer to keep their travel simple and efficient.
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
5.6 miles from Auburndale, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 10m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive as you navigate your way from Auburndale to Lakeland. You will rely on surface streets like Main Street, Magnolia Avenue, and Fairway Avenue rather than high-speed interstates. In fact, this route features 0% highway share, so you will be navigating local traffic patterns throughout the entire 20-minute duration. Because the longest stretch on Main Street is 0 miles, you should be prepared for frequent turns and a constant change of pace. It is a practical, hands-on driving experience that keeps you engaged with the local road network rather than settling into a monotonous interstate cruise.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 9 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Main Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Auburndale, FL to Lakeland, FL is easy. At 20m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Auburndale, FL to Lakeland, FL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Main Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Magnolia Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Fairway Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Main Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Lake Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Walnut Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Main Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Auburndale, FL and Lakeland, FL.
1
Start on North Bartow Avenue
10 ft
·
North Bartow Avenue
2
Continue on Main Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
3
Turn right onto Magnolia Avenue
7.2 mi
·
10 min
·
Magnolia Avenue
4
Continue straight
0.8 mi
·
1 min
5
Turn left onto Fairway Avenue
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
Fairway Avenue
6
At the end of the road, turn right onto East Main Street
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
East Main Street
7
At the end of the road, turn left onto South Lake Avenue
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
South Lake Avenue
8
At the end of the road, turn right onto East Walnut Street
279 ft
·
12 sec
·
East Walnut Street
9
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a short, 11.1-mile jaunt, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You won't need to worry about planning for rest stops since the drive is brief, but keeping your fuel tank topped off for a mere $2 ensures you are ready to go at a moment's notice. Because you are navigating local roads exclusively, stay alert for changing speed limits and intersection turns. Take advantage of the short duration to plan your arrival in Lakeland without the stress of long-haul logistics. My best tip is to keep your navigation apps handy, as the turn-heavy nature of this route means you will be making several adjustments to your path before you reach your final destination.
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 5.6 miles from Auburndale, FL, or about 10m into the drive.
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 11.1 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 5.6 miles or 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 17m
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 Auburndale, 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 Auburndale, FL
This is one driving day of about 11.1 miles and 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Auburndale, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 5.6 mi from Auburndale, FL · 10m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
6 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 11.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 5.6 miles from Auburndale, 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.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Lakeland, FL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$1.85 one way
$3.71 round trip
$4.24/gal
25.4 MPG avg
4 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $2.01 | $4.02 |
| premium | $4.90 | $2.14 | $4.28 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $2.47 | $4.93 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 3.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.3 | 0 | $1.17 | $0.53 |
| Efficient EV | 2.8 | 0 | $0.97 | $0.44 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 4.4 | 0 | $1.55 | $0.71 |
Gas CO2
4 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (75% 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
Afternoon in Lakeland on Sunday
Local time
3:28 PM
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
2 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
20m 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 Auburndale, FL to Lakeland, FL covers 11.1 miles and takes about 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Main Street, Magnolia Avenue, Fairway Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 5.6 miles from Auburndale, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $1.85 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.
The drive from Auburndale, FL to Lakeland, FL is easy. At 20m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Auburndale, FL to Lakeland, FL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Auburndale, FL to Lakeland, FL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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