How far is Cape Canaveral, FL from Lakeland, FL?

The driving distance from Cape Canaveral, FL to Lakeland, FL is about 99 miles (159.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 58m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 85.7 miles (137.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 57m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
98.99 mi
01h 58m
Flight
85.71 mi
137.93 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Cape Canaveral.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
85.71 mi
Kilometers
137.93 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
98.99 mi
Kilometers
159.31 km
Drive Time
01h 58m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 01h 58m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lakeland
Wed, Apr 29, 3:54 AM EDT
Return by in Cape Canaveral
Wed, Apr 29, 5:53 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cape Canaveral
2026-04-29T01:56
Arrive Lakeland
Wed, Apr 29, 3:54 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 58m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:59 AM to 11:59 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:32 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Cape Canaveral
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Meadow Woods
FL

Census-designated place in Orange County, Florida

From Cape Canaveral
49.5 mi
00h 59m
To Lakeland
49.5 mi
00h 59m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 29 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SSE
Destination
92°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 29 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 7 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Cape Canaveral and Lakeland.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cape Canaveral and Lakeland.

  1. 1

    Start on Intermodal Gate

    47 m · 16 sec · Intermodal Gate

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn right onto George J King Boulevard

    1.3 km · 2 min · George J King Boulevard

  3. 3

    Take the ramp slight right toward FL 528, SR A1A North: Terminals 5-10, Orlando

    1647 ft · 40 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto Bennett Causeway

    8 mi · 10 min · Bennett Causeway

  5. 5

    Continue on Beachline Expressway

    29.8 mi · 32 min · Beachline Expressway

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward FL 417: Orlando, Tampa, Disney World, Sanford

    1160 ft · 28 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on FL 417 Toll South: Tampa, Disney World

    1.3 mi · 3 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Central Florida GreeneWay

    18.3 mi · 20 min · Central Florida GreeneWay

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on Southern Connector Extension

    8.2 mi · 10 min · Southern Connector Extension

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    26.9 mi · 29 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward CR 582: Lakeland

    1802 ft · 53 sec

  12. 12

    Turn left onto North Socrum Loop Road

    2707 ft · 53 sec · North Socrum Loop Road

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Lakeland Hills Boulevard

    2.9 mi · 6 min · Lakeland Hills Boulevard

  14. 14

    Continue on North Massachusetts Avenue

    1 mi · 3 min · North Massachusetts Avenue

  15. 15

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Lake Morton Drive

    1039 ft · 32 sec · Lake Morton Drive

  16. 16

    Turn left onto East Walnut Street

    129 m · 19 sec · East Walnut Street

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Walnut Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Cape Canaveral and Lakeland.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
17 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
3 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Southern Connector Extension
35 mi · 35%
Beachline Expressway
29.8 mi · 30%
Central Florida GreeneWay
18.3 mi · 19%
Bennett Causeway
8.01 mi · 8%
Lakeland Hills Boulevard
2.94 mi · 3%
FL 417 Toll South
1.31 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Beachline Expressway

Continue on Beachline Expressway

29.8 mi · 00h 32m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 58m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 58m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+13.3 mi
85.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Meadow Woods
00h 59m from Cape Canaveral
Leave By
2:32 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Cape Canaveral and Sunny near Lakeland.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Cape Canaveral to Lakeland?

The road trip is about 99 miles (159.3 km) and usually takes 01h 58m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Meadow Woods is a useful midpoint, sitting about 49.5 miles from Cape Canaveral and 49.5 miles from Lakeland.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 85.7 miles (137.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.3 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:32 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.48 one way or $28.95 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Cape Canaveral and Sunny near Lakeland.

Stop Ideas Near Meadow Woods

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Meadow Woods, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Meadow Woods.

RAIL

Kissimmee

11 mi away
111 East Dakin Ave.
RAIL

Orlando Health/Amtrak

16 mi away
1400 Sligh Blvd.
RAIL

Winter Park

24 mi away
150 West Morse Blvd
RAIL

Sanford

48 mi away
600 South Persimmon Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cape Canaveral and Lakeland. Straight-line distance: 85.71 mi (137.93 km).

Cape Canaveral

#1 Cape Canaveral

Cape at the Atlantic coast of Florida, United States

Population10,427
Coordinates28.4058400, -80.6047700
Altitude3
CountryUnited States
Lakeland

#2 Lakeland

The most populous city in Polk County, Florida.

Population115,283
Coordinates28.0394700, -81.9498000
Altitude60
CountryUnited States
Start: Cape Canaveral (-80.60477, 28.40584)
End: Lakeland (-81.9498, 28.03947)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 159 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 17m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 28m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 58m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 38m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 24m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 14m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.49 gal
13.22 L · about $14.48
Round trip
$28.95
6.98 gal · 26.44 L
Estimated CO2
31 kg one way
Round trip: 62 kg / 137 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.15 $14.48 $28.95
Mid-grade $4.60 $16.04 $32.08
Premium $4.90 $17.09 $34.17
Diesel $4.35 $15.18 $30.36

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Florida · Apr 29, 2026

There is no time difference between Cape Canaveral and Lakeland. The current time is 01:56:12.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.