Origin
Hollywood, FL
Evening in Hollywood on Friday
Local time
8:34 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hollywood, FL to Lake Wales, FL
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 45m
Distance
192.2 mi
309 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 33m
★
6 AM
3h 46m
8 AM
4h 11m
10 AM
3h 55m
12 PM
3h 52m
3 PM
3h 56m
5 PM
4h 10m
8 PM
3h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lake Wales, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 192.2-mile drive from Hollywood, FL to Lake Wales, FL is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes. The journey is primarily highway-focused, with 97% of the route utilizing major roadways like Florida's Turnpike and FL 60. With a projected fuel cost of around $31, it's an economical option for a quick getaway within Florida. You'll experience a consistent, high-speed drive for most of the way, making it efficient for reaching your destination without needing an overnight stop. Plan for one main stop along the way to break up the drive.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
96.1 miles from Hollywood, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 49m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 45m. Total distance: 192.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience for this 192.2-mile trek. The vast majority of your time will be spent on fast-paced roads, with Florida's Turnpike forming the longest uninterrupted stretch at 125.2 miles. This means you'll be covering ground efficiently, with minimal slowdowns. While the highway share is high at 97%, FL 60 offers a change of pace as you approach your destination. The overall feel is one of steady progress, ideal for covering distance.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Florida's Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 125.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 1.2 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 22 significant decision points across 192.2 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 1.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 17 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
1.2 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the exit toward I 95 North: West Palm Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 95 North: West Palm Beach
6
16.7 mi into trip
|
~20m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 36
8
17 mi into trip
|
~20m in
Keep slight left at fork toward SR 814 West: Atlantic Boulevard West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / slight right lanes.
Toward SR 814 West: Atlantic Boulevard West
6
19.6 mi into trip
|
~26m 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
145.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 43m 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hollywood, FL and Lake Wales, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike: Miami, Orlando and Florida's Turnpike North.
Florida's Turnpike: Miami
19.5 mi in
|
~25m
Orlando
19.5 mi in
|
~25m
Florida's Turnpike North
19.6 mi in
|
~26m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Florida's Turnpike | 125.2 mi | 2h 16m |
| FL 60 | 45.6 mi | 58m |
| I 95 | 15.1 mi | 17m |
| Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Hollywood Boulevard | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| North Andrews Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| South Scenic Highway | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| West Atlantic Boulevard | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 125.2 mi, about 2h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hollywood, FL and Lake Wales, FL.
1
Start on SR 820
216 ft
·
12 sec
·
Hollywood Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
2
Continue on SR 820
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Hollywood Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
3
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 820
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
Hollywood Boulevard
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward I 95 North: West Palm Beach
Use the right lane.
5
Merge onto I 95
15 mi
·
17 min
·
I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 36
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Toward SR 814 West: Atlantic Boulevard West
Use the left / slight right lanes.
8
Turn left onto SR 814
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
West Atlantic Boulevard
Use the left lane.
9
Turn right onto North Andrews Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Andrews Avenue
Use the right lane.
10
Turn left onto Northwest 16th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
Northwest 16th Avenue
Use the left lane.
11
Turn right onto Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the left lane.
12
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Toward Florida's Turnpike: Miami, Orlando
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North
14
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
125 mi
·
2 hr 16 min
·
Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 193
Toward US 441, FL 60: Yeehaw Junction
16
Keep slight right at fork
245 ft
·
6 sec
Use the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto FL 60
46 mi
·
58 min
·
FL 60
Use the left lane.
18
Turn right onto South 4th Street
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
South 4th Street
19
At end of road, turn right onto East Polk Avenue
43 ft
·
11 sec
·
East Polk Avenue
20
Turn sharp left onto FL 17
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
South Scenic Highway
21
Turn right onto East Stuart Avenue
113 ft
·
5 sec
·
East Stuart Avenue
22
Turn right
226 ft
·
16 sec
23
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 3-hour and 45-minute drive, consider departing early in the morning to avoid any potential traffic, especially as you leave the Hollywood area. With a longest stretch of 125.2 miles on Florida's Turnpike, plan for a rest stop midway through this section. The fuel cost is estimated at $31, so ensure your tank is full before you leave. Given the relatively short duration, you have flexibility; however, a single planned stop will keep the journey comfortable. Keep an eye out for the transition from the Turnpike to FL 60, as this marks a key change in the road character.
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 96.1 miles from Hollywood, FL, or about 1h 49m 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 42 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 96.1 miles or 1h 49m 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
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lake Wales, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hollywood, 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 Hollywood, FL
This is one driving day of about 192.2 miles and 3h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Hollywood, 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.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 96.1 mi from Hollywood, FL · 1h 49m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
96 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 42 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 96.1 miles from Hollywood, 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.
Arriving in Lake Wales, FL
The final approach into Lake Wales, 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 Lake Wales, FL.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.59 one way
$61.19 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
67 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $33.28 | $66.56 |
| premium | $4.72 | $35.74 | $71.48 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $42.44 | $84.87 |
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
$31
Tolls
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 57.7 | 0 | $20.18 | $9.23 |
| Efficient EV | 48.1 | 0 | $16.82 | $7.69 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 76.9 | 0 | $26.91 | $12.30 |
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
22 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.
Destination
Lake Wales, FL
Evening in Lake Wales on Friday
Local time
8:34 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°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
8 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
3h 45m 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 Hollywood, FL to Lake Wales, FL covers 192.2 miles and takes about 3h 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Florida's Turnpike, FL 60, I 95. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 96.1 miles from Hollywood, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $30.59 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 192.2 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 17 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Hollywood, FL and Lake Wales, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike: Miami, Orlando and Florida's Turnpike North.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh 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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