How far is Lakeland, FL from Lake Wales, FL?
The driving distance from Lakeland, FL to Lake Wales, FL is about 28.5 miles (45.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 24.2 miles (38.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 24m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 42m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
County seat of Polk County, Florida
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lakeland and Lake Wales.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lakeland and Lake Wales.
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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
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 27: Haines City, Avon Park
1128 ft · 31 sec
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11
Keep slight left
85 m · 11 sec
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12
Turn left onto US 27
943 ft · 17 sec · US 27
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13
Turn right onto West Central Avenue
1.4 km · 2 min · West Central Avenue
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14
Turn left onto North Scenic Highway
87 m · 11 sec · North Scenic Highway
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15
Turn right onto East Stuart Avenue
34 m · 6 sec · East Stuart Avenue
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16
Turn right
69 m · 17 sec
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lakeland and Lake Wales.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Van Fleet Drive
Continue straight
10.8 mi · 00h 14m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Lakeland and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lake Wales.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lakeland to Lake Wales?
The road trip is about 28.5 miles (45.9 km) and usually takes 00h 42m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Bartow is a useful midpoint, sitting about 14.3 miles from Lakeland and 14.3 miles from Lake Wales.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 24.2 miles (38.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.3 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:06 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.19 one way or $8.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Lakeland and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lake Wales.
Stop Ideas Near Bartow
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 Bartow.
Winter Haven
Lakeland
Lakeland
Sebring
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lakeland and Lake Wales. Straight-line distance: 24.17 mi (38.89 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 Lake Wales
City in Polk County, Florida, United States
| Population | 17,693 |
| Coordinates | 27.9014100, -81.5859100 |
| Altitude | 45 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lake Wales (-81.58591, 27.90141)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 46 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 57m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $4.19 | $8.38 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $4.64 | $9.28 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $4.94 | $9.89 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $4.39 | $8.79 |
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 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.