How far is Harlem, FL from Lake Wales, FL?

The driving distance from Harlem, FL to Lake Wales, FL is about 106.1 miles (170.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 17m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 89.4 miles (143.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 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.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
106.16 mi
02h 17m
Flight
89.37 mi
143.82 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Harlem.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
89.37 mi
Kilometers
143.82 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
106.16 mi
Kilometers
170.84 km
Drive Time
02h 17m

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 17m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lake Wales
Sun, Apr 19, 8:41 AM EDT
Return by in Harlem
Sun, Apr 19, 10:58 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Harlem
2026-04-19T06:23
Arrive Lake Wales
Sun, Apr 19, 8:41 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 17m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:18 AM to 12:18 PM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:54 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Harlem
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Placid Lakes
FL

City in United States of America

From Harlem
53.2 mi
01h 08m
To Lake Wales
53 mi
01h 08m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
90°F
Sunday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 7 mph SW
Destination
91°F
Sunday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 8 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Harlem and Lake Wales.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Harlem and Lake Wales.

  1. 1

    Start on 10th Street

    27 m · 5 sec · 10th Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Harlem Academy Avenue

    2462 ft · 1 min · Harlem Academy Avenue

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn right onto 13th Street

    630 ft · 23 sec · 13th Street

  4. 4

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Lewis Boulevard

    1.1 mi · 3 min · Lewis Boulevard

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight left

    779 ft · 22 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight right

    4.9 mi · 6 min

  7. 7

    Continue straight

    51 mi · 1 hr 2 min

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    918 ft · 20 sec

  9. 9

    Continue straight

    10.1 mi · 13 min

  10. 10

    Continue straight

    37.1 mi · 50 min

  11. 11

    Turn right onto West Central Avenue

    1.4 km · 2 min · West Central Avenue

  12. 12

    Turn left onto North Scenic Highway

    87 m · 11 sec · North Scenic Highway

  13. 13

    Turn right onto East Stuart Avenue

    34 m · 6 sec · East Stuart Avenue

  14. 14

    Turn right

    69 m · 17 sec

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Harlem and Lake Wales.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
15 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
14.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Lewis Boulevard
105 mi · 99%
West Central Avenue
0.85 mi · 1%
Harlem Academy Avenue
0.47 mi
13th Street
0.12 mi
North Scenic Highway
0.05 mi
East Stuart Avenue
0.02 mi
Longest Stretch

Lewis Boulevard

Continue straight

51 mi · 01h 02m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 17m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16.7 mi
89.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Placid Lakes
01h 08m from Harlem
Leave By
1:54 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Harlem and Partly Sunny near Lake Wales.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Harlem to Lake Wales?

The road trip is about 106.1 miles (170.8 km) and usually takes 02h 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?

Placid Lakes is a useful midpoint, sitting about 53.2 miles from Harlem and 53 miles from Lake Wales.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 89.4 miles (143.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.7 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 1:54 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.56 one way or $31.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 33.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Harlem and Partly Sunny near Lake Wales.

Stop Ideas Near Placid Lakes

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Placid Lakes, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Placid Lakes.

RAIL

Sebring

29 mi away
601 East Center St
RAIL

Okeechobee

57 mi away
801 North Parrott Avenue
BUS

Port Charlotte, Florida

69 mi away
909 King Highway
BUS

Fort Myers, Florida

78 mi away
6050 Plaza Drive

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Harlem and Lake Wales. Straight-line distance: 89.37 mi (143.82 km).

Harlem

#1 Harlem

A census-designated place in Palm Beach County, Florida.

Population2,705
Coordinates26.7375700, -80.9509000
Altitude6
CountryUnited States
Lake Wales

#2 Lake Wales

City in Polk County, Florida, United States

Population17,693
Coordinates27.9014100, -81.5859100
Altitude45
CountryUnited States
Start: Harlem (-80.9509, 26.73757)
End: Lake Wales (-81.58591, 27.90141)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 171 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 32m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 39m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 07m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 46m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 30m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 19m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.75 gal
14.18 L · about $15.56
Round trip
$31.11
7.5 gal · 28.36 L
Estimated CO2
33.3 kg one way
Round trip: 66.7 kg / 147 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.15 $15.56 $31.11
Mid-grade $4.60 $17.24 $34.47
Premium $4.90 $18.36 $36.72
Diesel $4.35 $16.31 $32.63

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Harlem and Lake Wales. The current time is 06:23:21.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.