How far is Lakeland Highlands, FL from Tampa, FL?
The driving distance from Lakeland Highlands, FL to Tampa, FL is about 37.7 miles (60.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 31 miles (49.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 25m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 42m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
A city in Hillsborough County, Florida.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lakeland Highlands and Tampa.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lakeland Highlands and Tampa.
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1
Start on Scott Lake Road
1.1 mi · 3 min · Scott Lake Road
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2
Turn left onto Lake Miriam Drive
1.1 km · 2 min · Lake Miriam Drive
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3
Continue on West Pipkin Road
1.1 km · 2 min · West Pipkin Road
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4
Turn right onto Harden Boulevard
1.6 mi · 3 min · Harden Boulevard
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5
Turn left onto Parkway Frontage Road North
109 m · 8 sec · Parkway Frontage Road North
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6
Take the ramp straight toward FL 570 West Toll: Polk Parkway West
1634 ft · 40 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Polk Parkway
4.9 mi · 6 min · Polk Parkway
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 4 West: Tampa
1.1 mi · 2 min
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9
Merge slight right
23.8 mi · 26 min
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10
Take the exit slight left toward FL 618 Toll: Port of Tampa, West Selmon Expressway Toll
1.1 km · 59 sec
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Downtown, West Selmonm Expressway Toll
1161 ft · 33 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Downtown, West Selmon Expressway Toll
2296 ft · 44 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
1.5 mi · 2 min · Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward FL 60: Kennedy Boulevard, Downtown - East
1212 ft · 31 sec
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15
Turn straight onto East Kennedy Boulevard
1885 ft · 1 min · East Kennedy Boulevard
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Kennedy Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lakeland Highlands and Tampa.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 4 West
Merge slight right
23.8 mi · 00h 26m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Patchy Fog then Sunny leaving Lakeland Highlands and Sunny near Tampa.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lakeland Highlands to Tampa?
The road trip is about 37.7 miles (60.6 km) and usually takes 00h 42m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Plant City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 18.8 miles from Lakeland Highlands and 18.8 miles from Tampa.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 31 miles (49.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.7 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:04 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.52 one way or $11.03 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog then Sunny around Lakeland Highlands and Sunny near Tampa.
Stop Ideas Near Plant City
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 Plant City.
Lakeland
Lakeland
Union Station
Winter Haven
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lakeland Highlands and Tampa. Straight-line distance: 31.04 mi (49.95 km).
#1 Lakeland Highlands
Census-designated place in Polk County, Florida
| Population | 11,056 |
| Coordinates | 27.9597500, -81.9500800 |
| Altitude | 68 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Tampa
The third most populous city in Florida and the center of the Tampa metropolitan area.
| Population | 407,599 |
| Coordinates | 27.9475200, -82.4584300 |
| Altitude | 1 |
| Country | United States |
End: Kennedy Boulevard (-82.458429, 27.947518)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 61 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 15m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $5.52 | $11.03 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $6.11 | $12.23 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $6.51 | $13.02 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $5.79 | $11.57 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.