How far is Lakeland, FL from Homestead, FL?

The driving distance from Lakeland, FL to Homestead, FL is about 243 miles (391 km), with a travel time of about 05h 08m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 199.5 miles (321.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 17m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
242.93 mi
05h 08m
Flight
199.49 mi
321.05 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Lakeland.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
199.49 mi
Kilometers
321.05 km
Flight Time
00h 24m

Driving Distance

Road route
242.93 mi
Kilometers
390.96 km
Drive Time
05h 08m

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 05h 08m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Homestead
Tue, May 5, 5:57 AM EDT
Return by in Lakeland
Tue, May 5, 11:06 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lakeland
2026-05-05T00:48
Arrive Homestead
Tue, May 5, 5:57 AM EDT
Route Timing
05h 08m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:09 AM to 1:09 PM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
6:42 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Lakeland
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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
Moore Haven
FL

City in Glades County, Florida, United States

From Lakeland
121.7 mi
02h 34m
To Homestead
121.2 mi
02h 34m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
91°F
Tuesday

Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, May 5 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 mph SE
Destination
85°F
Tuesday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, May 5 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph E

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Lakeland and Homestead.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lakeland and Homestead.

  1. 1

    Start on East Walnut Street

    85 m · 17 sec · East Walnut Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto South Lake Avenue

    82 m · 16 sec · South Lake Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto East Lime Street

    1878 ft · 56 sec · East Lime Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Bartow Road

    10.7 mi · 16 min · Bartow Road

  5. 5

    Continue on Broadway Avenue

    3183 ft · 1 min · Broadway Avenue

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Van Fleet Drive

    2787 ft · 1 min · Van Fleet Drive

  7. 7

    Continue straight

    1427 ft · 27 sec

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    10.8 mi · 14 min

  9. 9

    Continue straight

    3.7 mi · 5 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward US 27: Haines City, Avon Park

    1128 ft · 31 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight right

    83 m · 7 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto US 27

    22.6 mi · 28 min · US 27

  13. 13

    Continue straight

    10.3 mi · 15 min

  14. 14

    Continue straight

    55.1 mi · 1 hr 7 min

  15. 15

    Merge slight left

    1177 ft · 18 sec

  16. 16

    Turn slight right

    103 m · 4 sec

  17. 17

    Continue straight

    32.1 mi · 43 min

  18. 18

    Continue straight

    40.1 mi · 48 min

  19. 19

    Continue straight

    10.4 mi · 13 min

  20. 20

    Keep slight right

    8.6 mi · 11 min

  21. 21

    Take the exit right toward Florida's Turnpike South: Homestead, Key West

    1324 ft · 32 sec

  22. 22

    Merge slight left onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike

    34.5 mi · 41 min · Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike

  23. 23

    Keep slight right to continue on US 1 North: Florida City

    778 ft · 22 sec

  24. 24

    Turn right onto South Dixie Highway

    2709 ft · 60 sec · South Dixie Highway

  25. 25

    Continue on South Homestead Boulevard

    1366 ft · 32 sec · South Homestead Boulevard

  26. 26

    Turn left onto Southeast 4th Street

    1027 ft · 32 sec · Southeast 4th Street

  27. 27

    Turn right onto Southwest 177th Avenue

    930 ft · 28 sec · Southwest 177th Avenue

  28. 28

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Southwest 177th Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Lakeland and Homestead.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
28 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
3 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 27
180 mi · 74%
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
34.5 mi · 14%
Van Fleet Drive
15.3 mi · 6%
Bartow Road
10.7 mi · 4%
Broadway Avenue
0.6 mi
South Dixie Highway
0.51 mi
Longest Stretch

US 27

Continue straight

55.1 mi · 01h 07m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
05h 08m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+43.5 mi
199.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Moore Haven
02h 34m from Lakeland
Leave By
6:42 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Lakeland and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Homestead.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Lakeland to Homestead?

The road trip is about 243 miles (391 km) and usually takes 05h 08m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Moore Haven is a useful midpoint, sitting about 121.7 miles from Lakeland and 121.2 miles from Homestead.

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

The direct path is about 199.5 miles (321.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 43.5 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:42 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.55 one way or $71.10 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 76.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Lakeland and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Homestead.

Stop Ideas Near Moore Haven

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Moore Haven, 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 Moore Haven.

RAIL

Okeechobee

53 mi away
801 North Parrott Avenue
BUS

Fort Myers, Florida

80 mi away
6050 Plaza Drive
RAIL

Sebring

81 mi away
601 East Center St
BUS

Port Charlotte, Florida

97 mi away
909 King Highway

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lakeland and Homestead. Straight-line distance: 199.49 mi (321.05 km).

Lakeland

#1 Lakeland

The most populous city in Polk County, Florida.

Population115,283
Coordinates28.0394700, -81.9498000
Altitude60
CountryUnited States
Homestead

#2 Homestead

The most populous city in Miami-Dade County, Florida.

Population69,292
Coordinates25.4687200, -80.4775600
Altitude1
CountryUnited States
Start: Lakeland (-81.9498, 28.03947)
End: Homestead (-80.47756, 25.46872)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 391 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 05m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 04m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 51m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 02m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 28m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 01m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.57 gal
32.45 L · about $35.55
Round trip
$71.10
17.14 gal · 64.9 L
Estimated CO2
76.2 kg one way
Round trip: 152.3 kg / 336 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.15 $35.55 $71.10
Mid-grade $4.60 $39.39 $78.78
Premium $4.90 $41.96 $83.92
Diesel $4.35 $37.28 $74.56

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 05, 2026

There is no time difference between Lakeland and Homestead. The current time is 00:48:28.

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.