How far is Lakeland, FL from Cape Canaveral, FL?
The driving distance from Lakeland, FL to Cape Canaveral, FL is about 98.8 miles (159 km), with a travel time of about 01h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 85.7 miles (137.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 57m 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 01h 58m.
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.
Census-designated place in Orange County, Florida
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lakeland and Cape Canaveral.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lakeland and Cape Canaveral.
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1
Start on East Walnut Street
129 m · 19 sec · East Walnut Street
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto Lake Morton Drive
1039 ft · 31 sec · Lake Morton Drive
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3
Turn right onto South Massachusetts Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · South Massachusetts Avenue
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4
Continue on Lakeland Hills Boulevard
3.6 mi · 7 min · Lakeland Hills Boulevard
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5
Take the ramp left toward I 4 East: Orlando
1691 ft · 51 sec
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6
Merge slight left
27 mi · 30 min
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7
Keep slight right to continue on FL 417 North: Airport, Disney World, Celebration
1380 ft · 17 sec
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8
Continue on Southern Connector Extension
7.5 mi · 9 min · Southern Connector Extension
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9
Continue on Central Florida GreeneWay
18.5 mi · 20 min · Central Florida GreeneWay
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10
Take the exit slight right toward FL 528: International Airport, Cocoa
1384 ft · 34 sec
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11
Keep slight right to continue on FL 528 East: Cocoa, Kennedy Space Center
1.3 km · 2 min
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12
Merge slight left onto Beachline Expressway
29.8 mi · 32 min · Beachline Expressway
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13
Continue on Bennett Causeway
8 mi · 10 min · Bennett Causeway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward B Terminals 1-3, South Cargo Piers, Jetty Park
1343 ft · 37 sec
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15
Turn left onto George J King Boulevard
1.5 km · 2 min · George J King Boulevard
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16
Turn left onto Intermodal Gate
153 m · 46 sec · Intermodal Gate
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17
Continue on Intermodal Gate
103 m · 25 sec · Intermodal Gate
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Intermodal Gate
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lakeland and Cape Canaveral.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Beachline Expressway
Merge slight left onto Beachline Expressway
29.8 mi · 00h 32m
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.
Sunny leaving Lakeland and Sunny near Cape Canaveral.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lakeland to Cape Canaveral?
The road trip is about 98.8 miles (159 km) and usually takes 01h 58m 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?
Meadow Woods is a useful midpoint, sitting about 49.3 miles from Lakeland and 49.4 miles from Cape Canaveral.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 85.7 miles (137.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.1 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 2:32 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.44 one way or $28.87 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 30.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Lakeland and Sunny near Cape Canaveral.
Stop Ideas Near Meadow Woods
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 Meadow Woods.
Kissimmee
Orlando Health/Amtrak
Winter Park
Sanford
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lakeland and Cape Canaveral. Straight-line distance: 85.71 mi (137.93 km).
#1 Lakeland
The most populous city in Polk County, Florida.
| Population | 115,283 |
| Coordinates | 28.0394700, -81.9498000 |
| Altitude | 60 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Cape Canaveral
Cape at the Atlantic coast of Florida, United States
| Population | 10,427 |
| Coordinates | 28.4058400, -80.6047700 |
| Altitude | 3 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cape Canaveral (-80.60477, 28.40584)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 159 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $14.44 | $28.87 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $15.99 | $31.99 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $17.04 | $34.08 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $15.14 | $30.28 |
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 29, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.