Origin
Lakeland Highlands, FL
Evening in Lakeland Highlands on Wednesday
Local time
6:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
3h 34m
Distance
211.7 mi
341 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lakeland Highlands, FL
Matt Fitz Gibaud
Jacksonville, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Spanning 211.7 miles, your journey from Lakeland Highlands to Jacksonville is a straightforward trek across Florida that typically takes about 3 hours and 34 minutes. Because the duration is relatively manageable, you can easily complete this trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget roughly $35 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Central and Northeast Florida locations. You will start your trip by navigating local thoroughfares before transitioning toward the major regional arteries that connect these hubs. This route is best suited for travelers looking for a direct, efficient transit rather than a leisurely sightseeing tour. It serves as a practical link for those needing to move between these two distinct parts of the state.
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
105.9 miles from Lakeland Highlands, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 47m into the drive .
Expect a turn-heavy local drive as you begin your departure from Lakeland Highlands via Lake Miriam Drive and Lakeland Highlands Road. Unlike a high-speed interstate haul, this route focuses on local navigation, featuring zero highway miles and no long, uninterrupted stretches on your initial roads. You will eventually merge onto FL 570 East, which helps facilitate your progress toward the destination. The experience behind the wheel is characterized by constant adjustments and attention to local traffic patterns rather than the monotonous cruising found on major turnpikes. Prepare for a more engaged driving experience that requires you to stay alert through various turns and changes in road type as you navigate out of the local area.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 34m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Lakeland Highlands, FL to Jacksonville, FL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Miriam Drive | — | — |
| Lakeland Highlands Road | — | — |
| FL 570 East | — | — |
| Polk Parkway | — | — |
| I 4 East | — | — |
| I 95 | — | — |
| I 95 North | — | — |
| US 90 | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Step-by-step road directions between Lakeland Highlands, FL and Jacksonville, FL.
Start on Scott Lake Road
Turn right onto Lake Miriam Drive
Turn left onto Lakeland Highlands Road
Take the ramp slight right toward FL 570 East Toll: Polk Parkway East
Merge slight left onto Polk Parkway
Keep slight left to continue on Polk Parkway
Keep slight right to continue on I 4 East: Orlando
Merge slight left
Keep slight left
Keep slight right
Keep slight left to continue on I 95: Miami, Jacksonville
Keep slight left to continue on I 95 North, US 92 North: Jacksonville
Keep slight left to continue on I 95 North: Jacksonville
Merge slight left
Keep slight left to continue on US 90, US 1, FL 13: Downtown, Main Street, Acosta
Keep slight right to continue on US 90, US 1: Main Street, Ocean Street, Newnan Street, Prudential Drive
Keep slight left to continue on US 90, US 1: Main Street, Ocean Street, Newnan Street
Turn left
Turn right
At the end of the road, turn left onto Beaver Street
Turn right
At the end of the road, turn right
Turn right onto Union Street
Arrive at your destination
Since your travel time is just under four hours, you have the flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. With only one recommended stop, you can easily pace the trip to suit your comfort level without feeling rushed. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $35 estimate assumes consistent driving conditions throughout the 211.7-mile journey. Because you are navigating local roads initially, try to avoid peak commuting hours to ensure you don't get caught in localized traffic buildup. A smart tip for this specific route is to familiarize yourself with the transition points between Lake Miriam Drive and FL 570 East before you leave, as the lack of long highway stretches means you will be making several turns to stay on track.
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.
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 47 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105.9 miles or 1h 47m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jacksonville, FL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Lakeland Highlands, 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 Highlands, FL
This is one driving day of about 211.7 miles and 3h 34m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 105.9 mi from Lakeland Highlands, FL · 1h 47m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
106 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.
A short stop after about 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 105.9 miles from Lakeland Highlands, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Jacksonville, 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 Jacksonville, FL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$33.70 one way
$67.39 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $36.66 | $73.31 |
| premium | $4.72 | $39.36 | $78.73 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $46.74 | $93.48 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 63.5 | 0 | $22.23 | $10.16 |
| Efficient EV | 52.9 | 0 | $18.52 | $8.47 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 84.7 | 1 | $29.64 | $13.55 |
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (66% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Lakeland Highlands on Wednesday
Local time
6:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Jacksonville on Wednesday
Local time
6:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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