How far is Lakeland, FL from Lakeside, FL?

The driving distance from Lakeland, FL to Lakeside, FL is about 166.8 miles (268.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 45m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 144.8 miles (233.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 30m 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
166.83 mi
03h 45m
Flight
144.85 mi
233.12 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
144.85 mi
Kilometers
233.12 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
166.83 mi
Kilometers
268.48 km
Drive Time
03h 45m

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 45m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lakeside
Thu, Apr 23, 4:06 AM EDT
Return by in Lakeland
Thu, Apr 23, 7:51 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lakeland
2026-04-23T00:21
Arrive Lakeside
Thu, Apr 23, 4:06 AM EDT
Route Timing
03h 45m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:45 AM to 11:45 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
9:30 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
Ocala
FL

The most populous city in Marion County, Florida.

From Lakeland
83.6 mi
01h 52m
To Lakeside
83.2 mi
01h 52m

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
85°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 12 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    1034 ft · 32 sec · South Iowa Avenue

  4. 4

    Continue on East Lemon Street

    1307 ft · 46 sec · East Lemon Street

  5. 5

    Turn right onto South Florida Avenue

    16.4 mi · 25 min · South Florida Avenue

  6. 6

    Turn right

    34.8 mi · 46 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left

    89 m · 13 sec

  8. 8

    At the end of the road, turn left

    1759 ft · 33 sec

  9. 9

    Turn right

    2.5 mi · 4 min

  10. 10

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 75 North: Ocala

    1518 ft · 37 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left

    36.4 mi · 39 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward FL 326

    1315 ft · 32 sec

  13. 13

    Turn slight right

    44 m · 5 sec

  14. 14

    Turn slight right

    1.1 mi · 2 min

  15. 15

    Continue on Northwest 70th Street

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Northwest 70th Street

  16. 16

    Turn left

    5.5 mi · 7 min

  17. 17

    Turn straight onto North US 301: Starke

    20.5 mi · 26 min

  18. 18

    Turn straight onto County Road 219A

    6.5 mi · 9 min · County Road 219A

  19. 19

    At the end of the road, turn right

    1.4 mi · 3 min

  20. 20

    Turn left

    37.7 mi · 55 min

  21. 21

    Turn right onto Parkridge Avenue

    1198 ft · 53 sec · Parkridge Avenue

  22. 22

    Turn right onto College Drive

    978 ft · 24 sec · College Drive

  23. 23

    Turn left onto Peoria Road

    1305 ft · 43 sec · Peoria Road

  24. 24

    Turn left onto Moody Avenue

    928 ft · 27 sec · Moody Avenue

  25. 25

    Turn right onto Parkside Avenue

    103 m · 19 sec · Parkside Avenue

  26. 26

    Turn left onto Harden Road

    68 m · 10 sec · Harden Road

  27. 27

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Harden Road

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
27 steps
19 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 75 North
36.7 mi · 22%
North US 301
20.5 mi · 12%
South Florida Avenue
16.4 mi · 10%
County Road 219A
6.54 mi · 4%
Northwest 70th Street
1.46 mi · 1%
FL 326
0.25 mi
Longest Stretch

Longest stretch

Turn left

37.7 mi · 00h 55m

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 45m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 30m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+22 mi
144.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Ocala
01h 52m from Lakeland
Leave By
9:30 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Lakeland and Sunny near Lakeside.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 166.8 miles (268.5 km) and usually takes 03h 45m 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?

Ocala is a useful midpoint, sitting about 83.6 miles from Lakeland and 83.2 miles from Lakeside.

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

The direct path is about 144.8 miles (233.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 22 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 9:30 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.43 one way or $48.86 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Lakeland and Sunny near Lakeside.

Stop Ideas Near Ocala

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Ocala and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 9.6 mi away

Belleview City Hall Park

Belleview , FL
SE Abshier Blvd, Belleview, FL 34420, United States
Rating 4.6/5 20 reviews Tourist attraction,Park
Ocala Citizens' Circle
Meeting point 4 mi away

Ocala Citizens' Circle

Ocala , FL
SE Osceola Ave, Ocala, FL 34471
Rating 4.6/5 29 reviews City Hall

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Ocala.

BUS

Ocala, Florida

1 mi away
531 Northeast First Ave
BUS

The Villages-Lady Lake, FL

34 mi away
401 North US Highway 441
OTHER

Wildwood, Florida

37 mi away
601 North Main Street
BUS

Gainesville, Florida

55 mi away
201 East University Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lakeland and Lakeside. Straight-line distance: 144.85 mi (233.12 km).

Lakeland

#1 Lakeland

The most populous city in Polk County, Florida.

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

#2 Lakeside

Small town in Navajo County

Population30,943
Coordinates30.1299600, -81.7681500
Altitude20
CountryUnited States
Start: Lakeland (-81.9498, 28.03947)
End: Lakeside (-81.76815, 30.12996)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 268 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 33m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 10m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 20m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 46m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 22m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 04m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.89 gal
22.28 L · about $24.43
Round trip
$48.86
11.78 gal · 44.56 L
Estimated CO2
52.3 kg one way
Round trip: 104.7 kg / 231 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.15 $24.43 $48.86
Mid-grade $4.60 $27.07 $54.14
Premium $4.90 $28.84 $57.67
Diesel $4.35 $25.62 $51.24

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 Lakeside. The current time is 00:21:45.

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.