Drive Time
7h 12m
Distance
364.5 mi
587 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$61
one way
Photo: DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ
The drive from Lakeland, FL to Callaway, FL covers 364.5 miles and takes about 7h 12m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 10, I 75, FL 471 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 121.8 miles on I 10. At current regular gas prices, budget about $60.89 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
182.3 miles from Lakeland, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 35m into the drive .
This is a 7h 12m highway drive covering 364.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 10 and I 75. The longest continuous stretch is about 121.8 miles on I 10.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and I 75. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near FL 37 / South Florida Avenue.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 364.5 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 0.7 miles (FL 37 / South Florida Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 169.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 169.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto FL 37 / South Florida Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 10: Jacksonville, Tallahassee
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 West: Tallahassee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward FL 12: Gretna, Greensboro
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward FL `12 South: Greensboro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Between Lakeland, FL and Callaway, FL, road signs point toward Tallahassee, Greensboro and Fl `12 South: Greensboro.
Tallahassee
Greensboro
Fl `12 South: Greensboro
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 10 | 121.8 mi | 2h 10m |
| I 75 | 114.4 mi | 2h 2m |
| FL 471 | 34.9 mi | 46m |
| FL 20 | 28.4 mi | 39m |
| Bristol Highway | 17.7 mi | 23m |
| South Florida Avenue | 16.4 mi | 24m |
| US 231 | 16.1 mi | 20m |
| Star Avenue | 6.7 mi | 10m |
Step-by-step road directions between Lakeland, FL and Callaway, FL.
Start on East Walnut Street
At end of road, turn right onto Lake Morton Drive
Turn right onto South Iowa Avenue
Continue on East Lemon Street
Turn right onto FL 37
Turn right onto FL 471
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 471
At end of road, turn left onto US 301; CR 470
Turn right onto CR 470
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 75
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 10
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn straight onto FL 12
Continue on FL 12
Turn left onto FL 12
Continue on FL 12
At end of road, turn right onto FL 20
Turn left onto US 231
Turn left onto CR 2293; CR 2315
Turn right onto FL 22
Arrive at destination
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 182.3 miles or 3h 35m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Callaway, FL than in the middle of the route.
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.
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Lakeland, FL
This is one driving day of about 364.5 miles and 7h 12m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 182.3 mi from Lakeland, FL · 3h 35m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
182 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 182.3 miles from Lakeland, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 121.8 miles.
The final approach into Callaway, 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 Callaway, 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.
Regular Gas
$60.89 one way
$121.78 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $65.95 | $131.91 |
| premium | $4.90 | $70.26 | $140.52 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $80.98 | $161.96 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$61
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$86–$111
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 127.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 109.4 | 1 | $38.27 | $17.50 |
| Efficient EV | 91.1 | 1 | $31.89 | $14.58 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 145.8 | 1 | $51.03 | $23.33 |
Gas CO2
128 kg
EV CO2
43 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Night in Lakeland on Saturday
Local time
9:33 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Evening in Callaway on Saturday
Local time
8:33 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
60°F
Lake City, FL
182 mi in
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
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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