How far is Lake Wales, FL from Fort Lauderdale, FL?
The driving distance from Lake Wales, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL is about 185.6 miles (298.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 57m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 151.6 miles (244 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 54m 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 57m.
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.
The second most populous city in St.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lake Wales and Fort Lauderdale.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Wales and Fort Lauderdale.
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1
Start on the route
18 m · 7 sec
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2
Turn right onto East Central Avenue
30 m · 12 sec · East Central Avenue
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3
Turn left onto South Scenic Highway
1967 ft · 50 sec · South Scenic Highway
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4
Turn slight left onto East Polk Avenue
68 m · 10 sec · East Polk Avenue
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5
Turn right onto 4th Street
1099 ft · 48 sec · 4th Street
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6
Continue on Palm Avenue
1019 ft · 45 sec · Palm Avenue
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7
Take the ramp straight toward Palm Avenue
78 m · 7 sec · Palm Avenue
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8
Merge slight left
45.2 mi · 57 min
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9
Take the exit left
784 ft · 19 sec
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10
Continue straight
90 m · 7 sec
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Florida's Turnpike South: Miami
926 ft · 23 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Florida's Turnpike
125.3 mi · 2 hr 16 min · Florida's Turnpike
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13
Take the exit slight right toward Coconut Creek Parkway, Martin Luther King Boulevard
1 km · 2 min
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14
Keep slight left to continue on East Martin Luther King Boulevard, Atlantic Boulevard
77 m · 15 sec
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15
Turn left onto Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
1.4 mi · 3 min · Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
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16
Turn left onto Northwest 16th Avenue
696 ft · 25 sec · Northwest 16th Avenue
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17
Turn right onto North Andrews Avenue
3159 ft · 1 min · North Andrews Avenue
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18
Turn left onto West Atlantic Boulevard
151 m · 17 sec · West Atlantic Boulevard
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19
Take the ramp slight right toward I 95 South: Miami
2315 ft · 58 sec
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20
Merge slight left
7.2 mi · 8 min
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21
Take the exit slight right toward SR 842: Broward Boulevard, Downtown
2709 ft · 1 min
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22
Turn left onto West Broward Boulevard
1.8 mi · 4 min · West Broward Boulevard
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23
Continue on East Broward Boulevard
988 ft · 35 sec · East Broward Boulevard
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Broward Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake Wales and Fort Lauderdale.
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 16m
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.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Lake Wales and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Fort Lauderdale.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lake Wales to Fort Lauderdale?
The road trip is about 185.6 miles (298.7 km) and usually takes 02h 57m 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?
Port Saint Lucie is a useful midpoint, sitting about 92.5 miles from Lake Wales and 93.1 miles from Fort Lauderdale.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 151.6 miles (244 km), while the road route adds roughly 34 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 $27.17 one way or $54.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Lake Wales and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Fort Lauderdale.
Stop Ideas Near Port Saint Lucie
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 Port Saint Lucie.
Okeechobee
West Palm Beach
Delray Beach
Sebring
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lake Wales and Fort Lauderdale. Straight-line distance: 151.64 mi (244.04 km).
#1 Lake Wales
City in Polk County, Florida, United States
| Population | 17,693 |
| Coordinates | 27.9014100, -81.5859100 |
| Altitude | 45 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Fort Lauderdale
The second most populous city in Broward County, Florida.
| Population | 184,245 |
| Coordinates | 26.1223100, -80.1433800 |
| Altitude | 1 |
| Country | United States |
End: East Broward Boulevard (-80.143382, 26.122355)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 299 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 11m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 38m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 05m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $27.17 | $54.34 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $30.10 | $60.21 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $32.07 | $64.14 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $28.49 | $56.98 |
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.