How far is Fort Lauderdale, FL from Lakeland, FL?
The driving distance from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Lakeland, FL is about 210.1 miles (338.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 172.9 miles (278.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 34m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 04h 17m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Census-designated place in Indian River County, Florida
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fort Lauderdale and Lakeland.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Lauderdale and Lakeland.
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1
Start on East Broward Boulevard
1 km · 1 min · East Broward Boulevard
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2
Turn right onto Northwest 9th Avenue
2.9 mi · 5 min · Northwest 9th Avenue
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3
Continue on Powerline Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Powerline Road
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4
Continue on South Powerline Road
2.4 mi · 5 min · South Powerline Road
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5
Continue on South Pompano Parkway
1 mi · 2 min · South Pompano Parkway
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6
Turn left onto West Atlantic Boulevard
2984 ft · 1 min · West Atlantic Boulevard
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7
Turn right onto Northwest 31st Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · Northwest 31st Avenue
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8
Continue on Florida's Turnpike Toll, Miami, Orlando
610 ft · 17 sec
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North
1761 ft · 43 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Florida's Turnpike
125.2 mi · 2 hr 17 min · Florida's Turnpike
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11
Take the exit slight right toward US 441, FL 60: Yeehaw Junction
1.1 km · 2 min
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12
Keep slight right
75 m · 6 sec
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13
Merge slight left
61.6 mi · 1 hr 19 min
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14
Turn left onto Van Fleet Drive
3253 ft · 1 min · Van Fleet Drive
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15
Turn right onto Broadway Avenue
3184 ft · 1 min · Broadway Avenue
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16
Continue on Bartow Road
10.7 mi · 16 min · Bartow Road
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17
Turn left onto East Lime Street
1939 ft · 1 min · East Lime Street
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18
Turn left onto South Lake Avenue
82 m · 13 sec · South Lake Avenue
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19
Turn right onto East Walnut Street
85 m · 12 sec · East Walnut Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Walnut Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fort Lauderdale 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.
Florida's Turnpike
Merge slight left onto Florida's Turnpike
125 mi · 02h 17m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Fort Lauderdale and Sunny near Lakeland.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fort Lauderdale to Lakeland?
The road trip is about 210.1 miles (338.1 km) and usually takes 04h 17m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Florida Ridge is a useful midpoint, sitting about 105.1 miles from Fort Lauderdale and 104.9 miles from Lakeland.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 172.9 miles (278.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 37.2 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:26 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.74 one way or $61.47 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 65.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Fort Lauderdale and Sunny near Lakeland.
Stop Ideas Near Florida Ridge
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 Florida Ridge.
Okeechobee
West Palm Beach
Sebring
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fort Lauderdale and Lakeland. Straight-line distance: 172.9 mi (278.25 km).
#1 Fort Lauderdale
The second most populous city in Broward County, Florida.
| Population | 184,245 |
| Coordinates | 26.1223100, -80.1433800 |
| Altitude | 1 |
| 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: 338 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 00m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 15m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 12m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 30m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 00m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 37m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $30.74 | $61.47 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $34.06 | $68.11 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $36.28 | $72.56 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $32.23 | $64.47 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.