How far is Clearwater, FL from Lakeland, FL?
The driving distance from Clearwater, FL to Lakeland, FL is about 56.8 miles (91.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 52.1 miles (83.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 35m 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 17m.
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.
City in Hillsborough County, Florida, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Clearwater and Lakeland.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clearwater and Lakeland.
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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
-
4
Merge slight left onto Southbound Frontage Road
2092 ft · 49 sec · Southbound Frontage Road
-
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
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward I 4 East: Orlando
2472 ft · 42 sec
-
15
Continue straight
27.7 mi · 31 min
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward Lakeland
2222 ft · 54 sec
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17
Turn straight onto Memorial Boulevard
3.4 mi · 6 min · Memorial Boulevard
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18
Continue on East Memorial Boulevard
1061 ft · 29 sec · East Memorial Boulevard
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19
Turn right onto North Massachusetts Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · North Massachusetts Avenue
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20
At the end of the road, turn left onto Lake Morton Drive
1039 ft · 32 sec · Lake Morton Drive
-
21
Turn left onto East Walnut Street
129 m · 19 sec · East Walnut Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Walnut Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Clearwater and Lakeland.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 4 East
Continue straight
27.7 mi · 00h 31m
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 Partly Sunny near Lakeland.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Clearwater to Lakeland?
The road trip is about 56.8 miles (91.4 km) and usually takes 01h 17m 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?
Temple Terrace is a useful midpoint, sitting about 28.4 miles from Clearwater and 28.5 miles from Lakeland.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 52.1 miles (83.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.7 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 3:54 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.34 one way or $16.67 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Clearwater and Partly Sunny near Lakeland.
Stop Ideas Near Temple Terrace
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 Temple Terrace.
Union Station
St Petersburg-Pinellas Park-Clearwater, Florida
Dade City, Florida
Lakeland
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Clearwater and Lakeland. Straight-line distance: 52.12 mi (83.88 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 Lakeland
The most populous city in Polk County, Florida.
| Population | 115,283 |
| Coordinates | 28.0394700, -81.9498000 |
| Altitude | 60 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lakeland (-81.9498, 28.03947)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 91 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 25m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 08m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 42m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $8.34 | $16.67 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $9.24 | $18.48 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $9.84 | $19.68 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $8.74 | $17.49 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.