 The Polk Parkway provides easier access to Interstate 4 from Polk County cities Lakeland, Winter Haven, Bartow, Mulberry, and Auburndale, as well as providing quick routes from city to city.The road is signed east–west, although the section from SR 540 (exit 14) to the eastern I-4 junction runs nearly south to north.The control cities for the highway's signage are Tampa (westbound) and Orlando (eastbound).