How far is Lakeland, FL from Miami Gardens, FL?
The driving distance from Lakeland, FL to Miami Gardens, FL is about 223.5 miles (359.7 km), with a travel time of about 04h 25m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 178.9 miles (287.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 50m 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 04h 25m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
The most populous city in St.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lakeland and Miami Gardens.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lakeland and Miami Gardens.
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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
4.3 mi · 6 min
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10
Continue straight
46.4 mi · 59 min
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11
Take the exit left
784 ft · 19 sec
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12
Continue straight
90 m · 7 sec
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Florida's Turnpike South: Miami
926 ft · 23 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Florida's Turnpike
146.6 mi · 2 hr 41 min · Florida's Turnpike
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Northwest 199th Street, Hard Rock Stadium
2905 ft · 1 min
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16
Continue straight
772 ft · 21 sec
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17
Turn right onto Northwest 199th Street
1.3 km · 1 min · Northwest 199th Street
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18
Turn left onto Northwest 27th Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · Northwest 27th Avenue
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19
Turn right
13 m · 3 sec
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lakeland and Miami Gardens.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Florida's Turnpike
Merge slight left onto Florida's Turnpike
147 mi · 02h 41m
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.
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Lakeland and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Miami Gardens.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lakeland to Miami Gardens?
The road trip is about 223.5 miles (359.7 km) and usually takes 04h 25m 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?
Fort Pierce is a useful midpoint, sitting about 111.9 miles from Lakeland and 111.6 miles from Miami Gardens.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 178.9 miles (287.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 44.6 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 8:10 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.73 one way or $65.46 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 70.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Lakeland and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Miami Gardens.
Stop Ideas Near Fort Pierce
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 Fort Pierce.
Okeechobee
West Palm Beach
Sebring
Delray Beach
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lakeland and Miami Gardens. Straight-line distance: 178.91 mi (287.92 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 Miami Gardens
A city in Miami-Dade County, Florida.
| Population | 113,187 |
| Coordinates | 25.9420400, -80.2456000 |
| Altitude | 2 |
| Country | United States |
End: Miami Gardens (-80.2456, 25.94204)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 360 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 26m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 35m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 43m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 47m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $32.73 | $65.46 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $36.26 | $72.52 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $38.63 | $77.26 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $34.32 | $68.64 |
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 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.