How far is Lakeland, FL from Jacksonville, FL?

The driving distance from Lakeland, FL to Jacksonville, FL is about 196 miles (315.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 02m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 159.4 miles (256.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 05m 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
196.03 mi
03h 02m
Flight
159.4 mi
256.53 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
159.4 mi
Kilometers
256.53 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
196.03 mi
Kilometers
315.48 km
Drive Time
03h 02m

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 03h 02m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Jacksonville
Wed, Apr 22, 9:10 PM EDT
Return by in Lakeland
Thu, Apr 23, 12:13 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lakeland
2026-04-22T18:07
Arrive Jacksonville
Wed, Apr 22, 9:10 PM EDT
Route Timing
03h 02m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:03 AM to 11:03 AM EDT

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

Leave by
10:54 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
North DeLand
FL

County seat of Volusia County, Florida, United States

From Lakeland
96.9 mi
01h 31m
To Jacksonville
99.2 mi
01h 31m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Wednesday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 10 mph ENE
Destination
80°F
Wednesday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
1 to 13 mph NE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on East Walnut Street

    129 m · 19 sec · East Walnut Street

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Lake Morton Drive

    727 ft · 22 sec · Lake Morton Drive

  3. 3

    Turn right onto South Iowa Avenue

    1356 ft · 43 sec · South Iowa Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn right onto South Massachusetts Avenue

    1.3 km · 2 min · South Massachusetts Avenue

  5. 5

    Continue on Lakeland Hills Boulevard

    3.6 mi · 7 min · Lakeland Hills Boulevard

  6. 6

    Take the ramp left toward I 4 East: Orlando

    1691 ft · 51 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    27 mi · 30 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight left

    13.4 mi · 16 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight right

    56.7 mi · 1 hr 5 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on I 95: Miami, Jacksonville

    1195 ft · 15 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on I 95 North, US 92 North: Jacksonville

    1.2 mi · 2 min

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on I 95 North: Jacksonville

    1.6 km · 1 min

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    86.1 mi · 1 hr 34 min

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on US 90, US 1, FL 13: Downtown, Main Street, Acosta

    1.1 mi · 2 min

  15. 15

    Keep slight right to continue on US 90, US 1: Main Street, Ocean Street, Newnan Street, Prudential Drive

    88 m · 6 sec

  16. 16

    Keep slight left to continue on US 90, US 1: Main Street, Ocean Street, Newnan Street

    1.2 mi · 3 min

  17. 17

    Turn left

    40 m · 11 sec

  18. 18

    Turn right

    37 m · 14 sec

  19. 19

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Beaver Street

    32 m · 5 sec · Beaver Street

  20. 20

    Turn right

    53 m · 13 sec

  21. 21

    At the end of the road, turn right

    38 m · 11 sec

  22. 22

    Turn right onto Union Street

    7 m · 1 sec · Union Street

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Union Street

Car Route Details

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

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
23 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
2 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 4 East
97.5 mi · 50%
I 95 North
88.3 mi · 45%
Lakeland Hills Boulevard
3.59 mi · 2%
US 90
2.38 mi · 1%
South Massachusetts Avenue
0.83 mi
South Iowa Avenue
0.26 mi
Longest Stretch

I 95 North

Merge slight left

86.1 mi · 01h 34m

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
03h 02m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 06m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+36.6 mi
159.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
North DeLand
01h 31m from Lakeland
Leave By
10:54 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Lakeland and Partly Sunny near Jacksonville.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 196 miles (315.5 km) and usually takes 03h 02m 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?

North DeLand is a useful midpoint, sitting about 96.9 miles from Lakeland and 99.2 miles from Jacksonville.

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

The direct path is about 159.4 miles (256.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.6 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 10:54 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.70 one way or $57.41 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Lakeland and Partly Sunny near Jacksonville.

Stop Ideas Near North DeLand

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around North DeLand, 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 North DeLand.

RAIL

DeLand

6 mi away
2491 Old New York Ave
RAIL

Sanford

27 mi away
600 South Persimmon Avenue
BUS

Daytona Beach, Florida

34 mi away
100 North Atlantic Ave
RAIL

Winter Park

51 mi away
150 West Morse Blvd

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lakeland and Jacksonville. Straight-line distance: 159.4 mi (256.53 km).

Lakeland

#1 Lakeland

The most populous city in Polk County, Florida.

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

#2 Jacksonville

The thirteenth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Jacksonville metropolitan area.

Population920,570
Coordinates30.3321800, -81.6556500
Altitude5
CountryUnited States
Start: East Walnut Street (-81.949832, 28.039666)
End: Union Street (-81.655668, 30.332118)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 315 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 31m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 54m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 55m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 16m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 48m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 26m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.92 gal
26.18 L · about $28.70
Round trip
$57.41
13.84 gal · 52.36 L
Estimated CO2
61.5 kg one way
Round trip: 123 kg / 271 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.15 $28.70 $57.41
Mid-grade $4.60 $31.80 $63.61
Premium $4.90 $33.88 $67.76
Diesel $4.35 $30.10 $60.20

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 22, 2026

There is no time difference between Lakeland and Jacksonville. The current time is 18:07:46.

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.