How far is Clearwater, FL from Lake Wales, FL?
The driving distance from Clearwater, FL to Lake Wales, FL is about 84.1 miles (135.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 53m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 74.3 miles (119.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 46m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 53m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
A city in Hillsborough County, Florida.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Clearwater and Lake Wales.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clearwater and Lake Wales.
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1
Start on North Fort Harrison Avenue
840 ft · 27 sec · North Fort Harrison Avenue
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2
Turn right onto Drew Street
4.2 mi · 8 min · Drew Street
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3
Take the ramp slight right
60 m · 5 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Southbound Frontage Road
2092 ft · 49 sec · Southbound Frontage Road
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5
Continue straight
115 m · 8 sec
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6
Take the exit left
71 m · 6 sec
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7
Merge slight right onto Gulf to Bay Boulevard
1.9 mi · 4 min · Gulf to Bay Boulevard
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8
Continue on Courtney Campbell Causeway
8.2 mi · 11 min · Courtney Campbell Causeway
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9
Continue straight
1.3 km · 1 min
-
10
Keep slight right to continue on FL 60 East, FL 616: Tampa International Airport, Spruce Street
1.1 km · 59 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Memorial Highway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Memorial Highway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 275 North: Tampa
1333 ft · 46 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto I 275: Tampa
5.2 mi · 7 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 4 East: Orlando
2472 ft · 42 sec
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15
Continue straight
25.8 mi · 29 min
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward FL 570 Toll East: Lakeland, Winter Haven
2270 ft · 55 sec
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17
Continue on Polk Parkway
9.4 mi · 11 min · Polk Parkway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward US 98: Lakeland, Bartow
2311 ft · 57 sec
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19
Turn right onto Bartow Road
6.9 mi · 10 min · Bartow Road
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20
Continue on Broadway Avenue
3183 ft · 1 min · Broadway Avenue
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21
Turn left onto Van Fleet Drive
2787 ft · 1 min · Van Fleet Drive
-
22
Continue straight
1427 ft · 27 sec
-
23
Continue straight
10.8 mi · 14 min
-
24
Continue straight
3.7 mi · 5 min
-
25
Take the exit slight right toward US 27: Haines City, Avon Park
1128 ft · 31 sec
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26
Keep slight left
85 m · 11 sec
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27
Turn left onto US 27
943 ft · 17 sec · US 27
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28
Turn right onto West Central Avenue
1.4 km · 2 min · West Central Avenue
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29
Turn left onto North Scenic Highway
87 m · 11 sec · North Scenic Highway
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30
Turn right onto East Stuart Avenue
34 m · 6 sec · East Stuart Avenue
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31
Turn right
69 m · 17 sec
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32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Clearwater and Lake Wales.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
I 4 East
Continue straight
25.8 mi · 00h 29m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Clearwater and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lake Wales.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Clearwater to Lake Wales?
The road trip is about 84.1 miles (135.3 km) and usually takes 01h 53m 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?
Plant City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 42 miles from Clearwater and 42.1 miles from Lake Wales.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 74.3 miles (119.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.8 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 2:44 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.32 one way or $24.64 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 26.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Clearwater and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lake Wales.
Stop Ideas Near Plant City
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Plant City.
Lakeland
Lakeland
Union Station
Winter Haven
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Clearwater and Lake Wales. Straight-line distance: 74.25 mi (119.5 km).
#1 Clearwater
The second most populous city in Pinellas County, Florida.
| Population | 116,552 |
| Coordinates | 27.9658500, -82.8001000 |
| Altitude | 9 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lake Wales
City in Polk County, Florida, United States
| Population | 17,693 |
| Coordinates | 27.9014100, -81.5859100 |
| Altitude | 45 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lake Wales (-81.58591, 27.90141)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 135 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 40m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 12m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 02m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $12.32 | $24.64 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $13.65 | $27.30 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $14.54 | $29.08 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $12.92 | $25.84 |
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 · May 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.