Origin
Orlando, FL
Evening in Orlando on Sunday
Local time
5:42 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Orlando, FL to Fort Meade, FL
Drive Time
1h 34m
Distance
68.2 mi
110 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 27m
★
6 AM
1h 34m
8 AM
1h 49m
10 AM
1h 39m
12 PM
1h 38m
3 PM
1h 40m
5 PM
1h 48m
8 PM
1h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Orlando, FL
Connor Scott McManus
Fort Meade, FL
Arian Fernandez
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a straightforward transition from the bustle of Orlando to the quieter setting of Fort Meade, this 68.2-mile journey is a practical choice. You can easily complete the trip in about 1 hour and 34 minutes, making it an ideal day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $11 on fuel for the trek, which stays entirely within Florida. By utilizing a combination of I-4, US 17, and CR 557, you will navigate through the heart of the state efficiently. This route is designed for travelers who prioritize time and direct travel over winding backroads, offering a reliable path between these two Central Florida locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
34.1 miles from Orlando, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 41m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 93% of your travel takes place on high-speed thoroughfares. Your longest uninterrupted stretch covers 34 miles on I-4, where you will spend the bulk of your time at highway speeds. As you transition off the interstate and onto US 17 and CR 557, the character of the drive shifts toward local connectivity. The experience is best described as a utilitarian grind rather than a leisurely scenic tour, prioritizing speed and infrastructure. You should prepare for a consistent, functional pace that keeps you moving steadily toward your destination without the need for technical maneuvering.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 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 34 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 4 and US 17. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Boone Avenue.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 68.2 miles you will encounter 10 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 0.2 miles (Boone Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (West South Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Boone Avenue
Turn right onto Boone Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
West South Street
Turn left onto West South Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the ramp toward I 4 West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Toward I 4 West
5
0.8 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
I 4
Merge onto I 4
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
34.7 mi into trip
|
~42m in
Take the exit toward CR 557: Lake Alfred, Winter Haven
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 48
Toward CR 557: Lake Alfred, Winter Haven
Towns Along This Route
Between Orlando, FL and Fort Meade, FL, road signs point toward Cr 557: Lake Alfred and Winter Haven.
Cr 557: Lake Alfred
34.7 mi in
|
~42m
Winter Haven
34.7 mi in
|
~42m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 4 | 34 mi | 40m |
| US 17 | 23.1 mi | 34m |
| CR 557 | 6.4 mi | 9m |
| 6th Street Southwest | 2.2 mi | 4m |
| Lake Shore Way | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Shinn Boulevard | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| West South Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Boone Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 4
— 34 mi, about 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Orlando, FL and Fort Meade, FL.
1
Start on this road
113 ft
·
4 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto FL 527
458 ft
·
18 sec
·
South Orange Avenue
3
Turn right onto West Anderson Street
479 ft
·
17 sec
·
West Anderson Street
4
Turn right onto Boone Avenue
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
Boone Avenue
Use the none lane.
5
Turn left onto West South Street
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
West South Street
Use the none lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward I 4 West
Use the none lane.
7
Merge onto I 4
34 mi
·
40 min
·
I 4
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 48
Toward CR 557: Lake Alfred, Winter Haven
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn slight left onto CR 557
6.4 mi
·
9 min
·
CR 557
Use the none lane.
10
Turn right onto US 17; US 92
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Shinn Boulevard
11
Continue on US 17; US 92
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Lake Shore Way
Use the none lane.
12
Turn straight onto US 17
3.7 mi
·
6 min
·
US 17
Use the none lane.
13
Continue on US 17
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
6th Street Southwest
Use the none lane.
14
Continue on US 17
19 mi
·
28 min
·
US 17
Use the none lane.
15
Arrive at destination
US 17; US 98
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive of under two hours, you have significant flexibility in your departure time. However, because the route relies so heavily on I-4, try to avoid peak rush hour periods to ensure you maintain that 1 hour and 34 minute travel time. You won't need to plan for any formal stops given the short distance, but keeping your tank topped off before leaving Orlando will keep your fuel costs near the estimated $11 projection. Pay close attention to the transition points when switching from I-4 to the local roads, as these exits can come up quickly. Use this trip as a simple, no-fuss connection that allows you to reach Fort Meade refreshed and ready for your next activity.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 34.1 miles from Orlando, FL, or about 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 34 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 68.2 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 34.1 miles or 41m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fort Meade, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Orlando, 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 Orlando, FL
This is one driving day of about 68.2 miles and 1h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Orlando, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 4 for about 34 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 34.1 mi from Orlando, FL · 41m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
34 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 68.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 34.1 miles from Orlando, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Fort Meade, FL
The final approach into Fort Meade, 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 Fort Meade, FL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.39 one way
$22.79 round trip
$4.24/gal
25.4 MPG avg
24 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $12.34 | $24.68 |
| premium | $4.90 | $13.15 | $26.29 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $15.15 | $30.30 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 23.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 20.5 | 0 | $7.16 | $3.27 |
| Efficient EV | 17.1 | 0 | $5.97 | $2.73 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 27.3 | 0 | $9.55 | $4.36 |
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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
Fort Meade, FL
Evening in Fort Meade on Sunday
Local time
5:42 PM
EDT
Current temp
89°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
25 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
1h 34m 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 Orlando, FL to Fort Meade, FL covers 68.2 miles and takes about 1h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 4, US 17, CR 557. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 34.1 miles from Orlando, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.39 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 68.2 miles you will encounter 10 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 0.2 miles (Boone Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (West South Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Between Orlando, FL and Fort Meade, FL, road signs point toward Cr 557: Lake Alfred and Winter Haven.
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