Origin
Lakeland, FL
Afternoon in Lakeland on Sunday
Local time
3:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lakeland, FL to Cooper City, FL
Drive Time
4h 21m
Distance
217.7 mi
350 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
Lakeland, FL
Matt Fitz Gibaud
Cooper City, FL
DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ
Trip Overview
Traveling from Lakeland to Cooper City covers approximately 217.7 miles, making for a straightforward journey that typically takes about 4 hours and 21 minutes. Because the route is highly efficient, it is well-suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You should plan for a fuel budget of roughly $36 to complete the drive. Navigating primarily via Florida's Turnpike, FL 60, and Bartow Road, you will transition from Central Florida down toward the southern metropolitan areas. This is a practical, no-nonsense commute that prioritizes speed and direct access between these two Florida locations.
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
108.8 miles from Lakeland, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 17m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a focused, highway-heavy experience, as 92% of this trip takes place on major thoroughfares. The road’s personality is defined by its efficiency, highlighted by a significant 137.8-mile uninterrupted stretch along Florida's Turnpike. While the initial segments involve Bartow Road and FL 60, the drive quickly settles into a consistent interstate pace. You will find that the rhythm remains steady throughout the duration, offering a predictable environment for those who prefer high-speed transit over winding backroads. It is a functional drive designed to minimize travel time rather than provide a scenic tour of the countryside.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 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 137.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and FL 60. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near US 98 / Bartow Road.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 217.7 miles you will encounter 13 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 0.5 miles (US 98 / Bartow Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 74.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 74.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 98 / Bartow Road
Turn right onto US 98 / Bartow Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
74.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
74.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m 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
7
212.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 10m in
Take the exit toward SR 818: Griffin Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 53
Toward SR 818: Griffin Road
6
213.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 13m in
|
SR 818 / Griffin Road
Turn right onto SR 818 / Griffin Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Lakeland, FL to Cooper City, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Florida's Turnpike South: Miami along the way.
Florida's Turnpike South: Miami
74.3 mi in
|
~1h 39m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Florida's Turnpike | 137.8 mi | 2h 30m |
| FL 60 | 61.7 mi | 1h 19m |
| Bartow Road | 10.7 mi | 16m |
| Griffin Road | 3.4 mi | 6m |
| Broadway Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Van Fleet Drive | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Southwest 90th Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| East Lime Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 137.8 mi, about 2h 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lakeland, FL and Cooper City, FL.
1
Start on East Walnut Street
279 ft
·
16 sec
·
East Walnut Street
2
Turn left onto South Lake Avenue
269 ft
·
15 sec
·
South Lake Avenue
3
Turn right onto East Lime Street
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
·
East Lime Street
4
Turn right onto US 98
11 mi
·
16 min
·
Bartow Road
Use the none lane.
5
Continue on US 98
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Broadway Avenue
Use the none lane.
6
Turn left onto US 98; FL 60
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Van Fleet Drive
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on FL 60
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
FL 60
8
Continue on FL 60
11 mi
·
13 min
·
FL 60
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on FL 60
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
FL 60
Use the none lane.
10
Continue on FL 60
46 mi
·
59 min
·
FL 60
Use the none lane.
11
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Use the left lane.
12
Continue on this road
295 ft
·
7 sec
·
this road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward Florida's Turnpike South: Miami
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
138 mi
·
2 hr 30 min
·
Florida's Turnpike
Use the none lane.
15
Take the exit
1.4 mi
·
2 min
Exit 53
Toward SR 818: Griffin Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn right onto SR 818
3.4 mi
·
6 min
·
Griffin Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
17
Turn left onto Southwest 90th Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Southwest 90th Avenue
Use the left lane.
18
Turn right onto Southwest 51st Street
474 ft
·
26 sec
·
Southwest 51st Street
19
Turn left
103 ft
·
7 sec
20
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 4-hour and 21-minute trek, consider departing early in the morning to avoid the heaviest traffic patterns near the southern urban hubs. Since the route includes only one recommended stop, pacing yourself is essential to maintain focus during the long 137.8-mile Turnpike leg. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before entering the toll road, as service plazas can be spaced out. Because this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your personal preference for daytime or evening travel. Always keep your payment method ready for tolls to ensure a smooth transition between the local roads and the major highways.
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 108.8 miles from Lakeland, FL, or about 2h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 137.8 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 80 miles or 1h 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108.8 miles or 2h 17m 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cooper City, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lakeland, 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 Lakeland, FL
This is one driving day of about 217.7 miles and 4h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Lakeland, 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 137.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 108.8 mi from Lakeland, FL · 2h 17m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
109 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 108.8 miles from Lakeland, 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 137.8 miles.
Arriving in Cooper City, FL
The final approach into Cooper City, 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 Cooper City, 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
$36.37 one way
$72.73 round trip
$4.24/gal
25.4 MPG avg
76 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $39.39 | $78.78 |
| premium | $4.90 | $41.96 | $83.93 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $48.37 | $96.73 |
Estimated Tolls: $9.65
Florida's Turnpike
(137.8 mi)
$9.65
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
$36
Tolls
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 65.3 | 0 | $22.86 | $10.45 |
| Efficient EV | 54.4 | 0 | $19.05 | $8.71 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 87.1 | 1 | $30.48 | $13.93 |
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Cooper City, FL
Afternoon in Cooper City on Sunday
Local time
3:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°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
7 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 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Lakeland, FL to Cooper City, FL covers 217.7 miles and takes about 4h 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Florida's Turnpike, FL 60, Bartow Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 108.8 miles from Lakeland, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $36.37 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 217.7 miles you will encounter 13 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 0.5 miles (US 98 / Bartow Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 74.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 74.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Lakeland, FL to Cooper City, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Florida's Turnpike South: Miami along the way.
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