How far is Lakeland, FL from Key West, FL?
The driving distance from Lakeland, FL to Key West, FL is about 368.3 miles (592.7 km), with a travel time of about 08h 23m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 241 miles (387.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 16h 46m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM EDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 08h 23m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
A city in Broward County, Florida.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lakeland and Key West.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lakeland and Key West.
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1
Start on East Walnut Street
85 m · 17 sec · East Walnut Street
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2
Turn left onto South Lake Avenue
82 m · 16 sec · South Lake Avenue
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3
Turn right onto East Lime Street
1878 ft · 56 sec · East Lime Street
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4
Turn right onto Bartow Road
10.7 mi · 16 min · Bartow Road
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5
Continue on Broadway Avenue
3183 ft · 1 min · Broadway Avenue
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6
Turn left onto Van Fleet Drive
2787 ft · 1 min · Van Fleet Drive
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7
Continue straight
1427 ft · 27 sec
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8
Continue straight
10.8 mi · 14 min
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9
Continue straight
3.7 mi · 5 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward US 27: Haines City, Avon Park
1128 ft · 31 sec
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11
Keep slight right
83 m · 7 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto US 27
22.6 mi · 28 min · US 27
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13
Continue straight
10.3 mi · 15 min
-
14
Continue straight
55.1 mi · 1 hr 7 min
-
15
Merge slight left
1177 ft · 18 sec
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16
Turn slight right
103 m · 4 sec
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17
Continue straight
32.1 mi · 43 min
-
18
Continue straight
40.1 mi · 48 min
-
19
Continue straight
10.4 mi · 13 min
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20
Keep slight right
8.6 mi · 11 min
-
21
Take the exit right toward Florida's Turnpike South: Homestead, Key West
1324 ft · 32 sec
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22
Merge slight left onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
34.5 mi · 41 min · Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
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23
Keep slight left
2930 ft · 1 min
-
24
Merge slight left onto Dixie Highway
19.2 mi · 27 min · Dixie Highway
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25
Continue on Overseas Highway
104.2 mi · 2 hr 43 min · Overseas Highway
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26
Turn right onto North Roosevelt Boulevard
2.4 mi · 6 min · North Roosevelt Boulevard
-
27
Turn left onto George Street
1845 ft · 1 min · George Street
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · George Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lakeland and Key West.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Overseas Highway
Continue on Overseas Highway
104 mi · 02h 43m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Mostly Sunny leaving Lakeland and Chance Rain Showers near Key West.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lakeland to Key West?
The road trip is about 368.3 miles (592.7 km) and usually takes 08h 23m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Weston is a useful midpoint, sitting about 184.4 miles from Lakeland and 183.9 miles from Key West.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 241 miles (387.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 127.3 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 7:30 AM EDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $53.92 one way or $107.85 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 115.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Lakeland and Chance Rain Showers near Key West.
Stop Ideas Near Weston
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Coral Springs City Hall Garage
City Hall in the Mall
Lauderhill Towne Centre Library
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Weston.
Fort Lauderdale
Hollywood
Miami Intermodal Center
Deerfield Beach
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lakeland and Key West. Straight-line distance: 240.96 mi (387.79 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 Key West
County seat city of Monroe County, Florida, United States; island in Florida Keys
| Population | 23,767 |
| Coordinates | 24.5552400, -81.7816300 |
| Altitude | 1 |
| Country | United States |
End: Key West (-81.78163, 24.55524)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 593 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 12h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 09h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 21m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 08m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 35m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $53.92 | $107.85 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $59.75 | $119.50 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $63.65 | $127.30 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $56.55 | $113.10 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.