How far is Lake Wales, FL from Gainesville, FL?
The driving distance from Lake Wales, FL to Gainesville, FL is about 151.2 miles (243.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 128.9 miles (207.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 16m 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 38m.
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.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lake Wales and Gainesville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Wales and Gainesville.
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1
Start on the route
18 m · 7 sec
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2
Turn right onto East Central Avenue
1.4 km · 2 min · East Central Avenue
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3
Turn right
4.3 mi · 6 min
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4
Continue straight
27.8 mi · 39 min
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5
Continue straight
13.7 mi · 19 min
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6
Continue straight
10.1 mi · 15 min
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7
Continue straight
1507 ft · 23 sec
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8
Keep slight right
3 mi · 4 min
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9
Take the exit slight left toward Florida's Turnpike North: Ocala
883 ft · 23 sec
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10
Continue on Florida's Turnpike North: Ocala
1991 ft · 49 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Florida's Turnpike
18.9 mi · 20 min · Florida's Turnpike
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Florida's Turnpike
1281 ft · 16 sec · Florida's Turnpike
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13
Merge slight left
46.1 mi · 49 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward CR 234: Micanopy
1213 ft · 32 sec
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15
Turn right onto Southeast County Road 234
1.3 mi · 2 min · Southeast County Road 234
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16
Turn left
128 m · 15 sec
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17
Turn straight
8 mi · 10 min
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18
Turn right onto Southwest Williston Road
2889 ft · 1 min · Southwest Williston Road
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19
Turn left onto South Main Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · South Main Street
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20
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Main Street
28 m · 2 sec · South Main Street
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21
Exit the roundabout onto South Main Street
1317 ft · 32 sec · South Main Street
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22
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Main Street
54 m · 4 sec · South Main Street
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23
Exit the roundabout onto South Main Street
2512 ft · 1 min · South Main Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake Wales and Gainesville.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Florida's Turnpike
Merge slight left
46.1 mi · 00h 49m
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 Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Gainesville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lake Wales to Gainesville?
The road trip is about 151.2 miles (243.4 km) and usually takes 02h 38m 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 69.4 miles from Lake Wales and 81.8 miles from Gainesville.
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 22.3 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 1:14 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.15 one way or $44.30 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 47.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Lake Wales and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Gainesville.
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 Lake Wales and Gainesville. Straight-line distance: 128.94 mi (207.51 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 Gainesville
The third most populous city in Florida.
| Population | 135,004 |
| Coordinates | 29.6516300, -82.3248300 |
| Altitude | 54 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Main Street (-82.32501, 29.65163)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 243 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 02m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 46m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 01m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 31m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 09m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 53m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $22.15 | $44.30 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $24.54 | $49.09 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $26.14 | $52.29 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $23.23 | $46.46 |
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.