How far is Clearwater, FL from Lakeland Highlands, FL?
The driving distance from Clearwater, FL to Lakeland Highlands, FL is about 59.4 miles (95.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 21m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 51.9 miles (83.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 43m 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 21m.
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.
Patchy Fog then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Clearwater and Lakeland Highlands.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clearwater and Lakeland Highlands.
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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
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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
-
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
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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
5.9 mi · 7 min · Polk Parkway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward FL 37: South Florida Avenue
98 m · 8 sec
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19
Continue on FL 37: South Florida Avenue
2139 ft · 56 sec
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20
Turn right onto South Florida Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · South Florida Avenue
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21
Turn left onto East Highland Drive
2687 ft · 1 min · East Highland Drive
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22
Turn sharp right onto Cleveland Heights Boulevard
1.2 km · 2 min · Cleveland Heights Boulevard
-
23
Continue on Scott Lake Road
1.1 mi · 3 min · Scott Lake Road
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Scott Lake Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Clearwater and Lakeland Highlands.
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
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.
Sunny leaving Clearwater and Patchy Fog then Sunny near Lakeland Highlands.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Clearwater to Lakeland Highlands?
The road trip is about 59.4 miles (95.6 km) and usually takes 01h 21m 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 29.7 miles from Clearwater and 29.7 miles from Lakeland Highlands.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 51.9 miles (83.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.5 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 3:46 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.67 one way or $17.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 18.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Clearwater and Patchy Fog then Sunny near Lakeland Highlands.
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 Highlands. Straight-line distance: 51.88 mi (83.49 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 Highlands
Census-designated place in Polk County, Florida
| Population | 11,056 |
| Coordinates | 27.9597500, -81.9500800 |
| Altitude | 68 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lakeland Highlands (-81.95008, 27.95975)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 96 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 58m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 29m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 11m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 59m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 50m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 44m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $8.67 | $17.34 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $9.61 | $19.21 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $10.23 | $20.47 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $9.09 | $18.18 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.