How far is Lakeland, FL from Key Largo, FL?

The driving distance from Lakeland, FL to Key Largo, FL is about 270.9 miles (436 km), with a travel time of about 05h 50m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 224.1 miles (360.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 40m 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
270.92 mi
05h 50m
Flight
224.16 mi
360.75 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
224.16 mi
Kilometers
360.75 km
Flight Time
00h 27m

Driving Distance

Road route
270.92 mi
Kilometers
436.01 km
Drive Time
05h 50m

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 50m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Key Largo
Thu, Apr 23, 4:13 PM EDT
Return by in Lakeland
Thu, Apr 23, 10:04 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lakeland
2026-04-23T10:23
Arrive Key Largo
Thu, Apr 23, 4:13 PM EDT
Route Timing
05h 50m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:50 AM to 1:50 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
5:20 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
Clewiston
FL

City in Florida

From Lakeland
135.7 mi
02h 55m
To Key Largo
135.2 mi
02h 55m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
84°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 9 mph E
Destination
80°F
Thursday

Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph E

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lakeland and Key Largo.

  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 left

    2930 ft · 1 min

  24. 24

    Merge slight left onto Dixie Highway

    19.2 mi · 27 min · Dixie Highway

  25. 25

    Continue on Overseas Highway

    9.3 mi · 16 min · Overseas Highway

  26. 26

    Continue on Overseas Highway

    138 m · 28 sec · Overseas Highway

  27. 27

    Turn right onto Harbor Drive

    94 m · 14 sec · Harbor Drive

  28. 28

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Harbor Drive

Car Route Details

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

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
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
4 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 27
180 mi · 66%
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
35.1 mi · 13%
Dixie Highway
19.2 mi · 7%
Van Fleet Drive
15.3 mi · 6%
Bartow Road
10.7 mi · 4%
Overseas Highway
9.43 mi · 3%
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 50m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
11h 40m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+46.8 mi
224.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Clewiston
02h 55m from Lakeland
Leave By
5:20 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Lakeland and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Key Largo.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Lakeland to Key Largo?

The road trip is about 270.9 miles (436 km) and usually takes 05h 50m 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?

Clewiston is a useful midpoint, sitting about 135.7 miles from Lakeland and 135.2 miles from Key Largo.

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

The direct path is about 224.1 miles (360.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 46.8 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 5:20 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.65 one way or $79.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 85 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Lakeland and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Key Largo.

Stop Ideas Near Clewiston

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

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

RAIL

Okeechobee

56 mi away
801 North Parrott Avenue
RAIL

West Palm Beach

87 mi away
201 South Tamarind Ave
RAIL

Delray Beach

90 mi away
345 South Congress Ave
RAIL

Deerfield Beach

94 mi away
1300 W. Hillsboro Blvd

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lakeland and Key Largo. Straight-line distance: 224.16 mi (360.75 km).

Lakeland

#1 Lakeland

The most populous city in Polk County, Florida.

Population115,283
Coordinates28.0394700, -81.9498000
Altitude60
CountryUnited States
Key Largo

#2 Key Largo

Census designated place in Florida, United States

Population10,433
Coordinates25.0865200, -80.4472800
Altitude2
CountryUnited States
Start: Lakeland (-81.9498, 28.03947)
End: Key Largo (-80.44728, 25.08652)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 436 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 01m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 46m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 25m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 30m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 52m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 22m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.56 gal
36.19 L · about $39.65
Round trip
$79.31
19.12 gal · 72.38 L
Estimated CO2
85 kg one way
Round trip: 169.9 kg / 375 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.15 $39.65 $79.31
Mid-grade $4.60 $43.94 $87.88
Premium $4.90 $46.81 $93.61
Diesel $4.35 $41.59 $83.17

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Lakeland and Key Largo. The current time is 10:23:23.

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.