How far is Gainesville, FL from Lake Wales, FL?
The driving distance from Gainesville, FL to Lake Wales, FL is about 139.9 miles (225.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 56m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 128.9 miles (207.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 53m 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 02h 56m.
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 Florida, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Gainesville and Lake Wales.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gainesville and Lake Wales.
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1
Start on South Main Street
2510 ft · 1 min · South Main Street
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2
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Main Street
45 m · 3 sec · South Main Street
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3
Exit the roundabout onto South Main Street
1332 ft · 33 sec · South Main Street
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4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward South Main Street
18 m · 1 sec · South Main Street
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5
Exit the roundabout onto South Main Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · South Main Street
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6
Turn right onto Southwest Williston Road
2572 ft · 54 sec · Southwest Williston Road
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7
Turn left onto South Main Street
807 ft · 23 sec · South Main Street
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8
Turn straight
2000 ft · 34 sec
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9
Continue straight
7 mi · 8 min
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10
Continue straight
3212 ft · 47 sec
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11
Turn right onto Southeast County Road 234
1.4 mi · 3 min · Southeast County Road 234
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12
Take the ramp left toward I 75 South: Tampa
1148 ft · 28 sec
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13
Merge slight left
46.2 mi · 50 min
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14
Take the exit slight left toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando
29.2 mi · 31 min · Florida's Turnpike
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Minneola
2281 ft · 49 sec
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16
Turn right onto North Hancock Road
2.4 mi · 4 min · North Hancock Road
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17
Turn right onto North Ridge Boulevard
2982 ft · 1 min · North Ridge Boulevard
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18
Turn left onto Citrus Tower Boulevard
2.5 mi · 5 min · Citrus Tower Boulevard
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19
Continue on Citrus Tower Road
3198 ft · 1 min · Citrus Tower Road
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20
Turn left
2275 ft · 45 sec
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21
Continue straight
10.6 mi · 15 min
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22
Continue straight
13.2 mi · 19 min
-
23
Continue straight
2264 ft · 37 sec
-
24
Continue straight
1202 ft · 19 sec
-
25
Continue straight
2.7 mi · 4 min
-
26
Continue straight
1.4 km · 1 min
-
27
Continue straight
16 mi · 22 min
-
28
Turn left onto West Central Avenue
1.4 km · 2 min · West Central Avenue
-
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 Gainesville and Lake Wales.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
I 75 South
Merge slight left
46.2 mi · 00h 50m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Gainesville 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 Gainesville to Lake Wales?
The road trip is about 139.9 miles (225.2 km) and usually takes 02h 56m 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?
Leesburg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 70.1 miles from Gainesville and 69.8 miles from Lake Wales.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 128.9 miles (207.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 11 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 12:36 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.49 one way or $40.98 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 43.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Gainesville and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lake Wales.
Stop Ideas Near Leesburg
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City of Tavares - City Hall
Plantation-Hermitage Hall
Tavares Utility Billing
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Leesburg.
The Villages-Lady Lake, FL
Wildwood, Florida
Ocala, Florida
DeLand
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Gainesville and Lake Wales. Straight-line distance: 128.94 mi (207.51 km).
#1 Gainesville
The third most populous city in Florida.
| Population | 135,004 |
| Coordinates | 29.6516300, -82.3248300 |
| Altitude | 54 |
| 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: 225 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 29m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 47m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 19m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 59m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 44m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $20.49 | $40.98 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $22.70 | $45.41 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $24.19 | $48.37 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $21.49 | $42.98 |
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.