How far is Lakeland, FL from Lakes by the Bay, FL?
The driving distance from Lakeland, FL to Lakes by the Bay, FL is about 233.3 miles (375.4 km), with a travel time of about 05h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 197.7 miles (318.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 00m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 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 05h 00m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Glades County, Florida, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lakeland and Lakes by the Bay.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lakeland and Lakes by the Bay.
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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
-
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
-
11
Keep slight right
83 m · 7 sec
-
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
-
16
Turn slight right
103 m · 4 sec
-
17
Continue straight
32.1 mi · 43 min
-
18
Continue straight
40.1 mi · 48 min
-
19
Continue straight
10.4 mi · 13 min
-
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
22.5 mi · 27 min · Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
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23
Take the exit slight right toward Southwest 216th Street
1.2 km · 1 min
-
24
Turn left onto Southwest 216th Street
1.1 mi · 3 min · Southwest 216th Street
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25
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Southwest 97th Avenue
61 m · 6 sec · Southwest 97th Avenue
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26
Exit the roundabout onto Southwest 97th Avenue
1284 ft · 37 sec · Southwest 97th Avenue
-
27
Continue on Southwest 212th Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · Southwest 212th Street
-
28
Turn left onto Southwest 85th Avenue
849 ft · 28 sec · Southwest 85th Avenue
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29
Turn right onto Southwest 210th Street
57 m · 12 sec · Southwest 210th Street
-
30
Continue on Southwest 210th Street
81 m · 12 sec · Southwest 210th Street
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Southwest 210th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lakeland and Lakes by the Bay.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
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.
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Lakeland and Mostly Sunny near Lakes by the Bay.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lakeland to Lakes by the Bay?
The road trip is about 233.3 miles (375.4 km) and usually takes 05h 00m 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 116.8 miles from Lakeland and 116.4 miles from Lakes by the Bay.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 197.7 miles (318.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.6 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 7:00 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.14 one way or $68.28 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 73.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Lakeland and Mostly Sunny near Lakes by the Bay.
Stop Ideas Near Moore Haven
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 Moore Haven.
Okeechobee
Fort Myers, Florida
Sebring
Port Charlotte, Florida
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lakeland and Lakes by the Bay. Straight-line distance: 197.71 mi (318.19 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 Lakes by the Bay
Census-designated place in Miami-Dade County, Florida
| Population | 11,422 |
| Coordinates | 25.5723300, -80.3253300 |
| Altitude | 1 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lakes by the Bay (-80.32533, 25.57233)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 375 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 49m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 39m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 54m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $34.14 | $68.28 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $37.83 | $75.65 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $40.29 | $80.59 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $35.80 | $71.60 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.