Origin
Lakeland Highlands, FL
Night in Lakeland Highlands on Friday
Local time
9:06 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lakeland Highlands, FL to Orlando, FL
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 19m
Distance
61.5 mi
99 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 13m
★
6 AM
1h 19m
8 AM
1h 32m
10 AM
1h 24m
12 PM
1h 22m
3 PM
1h 24m
5 PM
1h 31m
8 PM
1h 16m
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
Orlando, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Planning a short trip from Lakeland Highlands, Florida, to Orlando, Florida? This drive covers 61.5 miles and should take you about 1 hour and 19 minutes. It's a straightforward, highway-focused journey, making it perfect for a single-day excursion. You'll primarily be on I-4 and Polk Parkway, with a small portion on Lake Miriam Drive. With an estimated fuel cost of just $10, it's an economical option for a quick getaway within the same state. This route is designed for efficiency, getting you from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 19m. Total distance: 61.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is largely a highway-focused drive, with 89% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 39.6 miles on I-4 without interruption, indicating a consistent pace for much of your journey. The profile suggests a smooth, predictable experience, ideal for covering ground quickly. While primarily interstate, the inclusion of Polk Parkway and Lake Miriam Drive might offer slight variations in the road's character as you transition between these main arteries. Expect a driving experience geared towards reaching your destination efficiently.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 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 39.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 4 and Polk Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.5 miles in near FL 570 Toll / Polk Parkway.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 61.5 miles you will encounter 12 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 4.5 miles (FL 570 Toll / Polk Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 39.7 miles (I 4): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 53.1 miles (I 4): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
4.5 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
FL 570 Toll / Polk Parkway
Merge onto FL 570 Toll / Polk Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
39.7 mi into trip
|
~50m in
|
I 4
Keep slight left at fork onto I 4
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
53.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 6m in
|
I 4
Keep slight right at fork onto I 4
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
59.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 13m in
Take the exit toward Kaley Avenue, Michigan Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 81
Toward Kaley Avenue, Michigan Street
6
59.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m in
|
South Division Avenue
Turn left onto South Division Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 4 | 39.6 mi | 45m |
| Polk Parkway | 14.9 mi | 17m |
| Lake Miriam Drive | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| Lakeland Highlands Road | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| South Division Avenue | 1.2 mi | 3m |
| Scott Lake Road | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| West South Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| West Kaley Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 4
— 39.6 mi, about 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lakeland Highlands, FL and Orlando, FL.
1
Start on CR 37A
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Scott Lake Road
2
Turn right onto Lake Miriam Drive
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Lake Miriam Drive
3
Turn left onto CR 37B
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Lakeland Highlands Road
4
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward FL 570 East Toll: Polk Parkway East
5
Merge onto FL 570 Toll
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Polk Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 570 Toll
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Polk Parkway
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
Toward I 4 East: Orlando
8
Merge onto I 4
20 mi
·
21 min
·
I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 4
13 mi
·
16 min
·
I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 4
6.3 mi
·
7 min
·
I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 81
Toward Kaley Avenue, Michigan Street
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
13
Turn slight right onto West Kaley Street
264 ft
·
14 sec
·
West Kaley Street
14
Turn left onto South Division Avenue
1.2 mi
·
3 min
·
South Division Avenue
Use the left lane.
15
Turn right onto West South Street
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
·
West South Street
16
Turn slight right
103 ft
·
3 sec
17
Arrive at destination
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 30.7 mi from Lakeland Highlands, FL · 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
31 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 30.7 miles from Lakeland Highlands, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Orlando, FL
The final approach into Orlando, 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
$9.79 one way
$19.58 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
22 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $10.65 | $21.30 |
| premium | $4.72 | $11.44 | $22.87 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $13.58 | $27.16 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$10
Estimated CO2 emission: 21.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 18.5 | 0 | $6.46 | $2.95 |
| Efficient EV | 15.4 | 0 | $5.38 | $2.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 24.6 | 0 | $8.61 | $3.94 |
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (68% 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
Orlando, FL
Night in Orlando on Friday
Local time
9:06 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
61°F
Davenport, FL
31 mi in
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 19m 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 Lakeland Highlands, FL to Orlando, FL covers 61.5 miles and takes about 1h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 4, Polk Parkway, Lake Miriam 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 30.7 miles from Lakeland Highlands, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.79 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 61.5 miles you will encounter 12 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 4.5 miles (FL 570 Toll / Polk Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 39.7 miles (I 4): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 53.1 miles (I 4): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Lakeland Highlands, FL to Orlando, FL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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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