How far is Lakeland, FL from South Bradenton, FL?
The driving distance from Lakeland, FL to South Bradenton, FL is about 70.6 miles (113.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 55.5 miles (89.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 57m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 28m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Hillsborough County, Florida.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lakeland and South Bradenton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lakeland and South Bradenton.
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1
Start on East Walnut Street
129 m · 19 sec · East Walnut Street
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto Lake Morton Drive
1039 ft · 31 sec · Lake Morton Drive
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3
Turn right onto South Massachusetts Avenue
72 m · 14 sec · South Massachusetts Avenue
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4
Turn left onto East Lime Street
1877 ft · 56 sec · East Lime Street
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5
Turn right onto Sikes Boulevard
2528 ft · 58 sec · Sikes Boulevard
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6
Continue on Kathleen Road
2.4 mi · 5 min · Kathleen Road
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7
Turn left
2373 ft · 60 sec
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8
Merge slight left
21.1 mi · 23 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 75: Ocala, Naples
1759 ft · 43 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 75 South: Naples
1.3 km · 2 min
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11
Merge slight left
31.9 mi · 34 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 275 North: Saint Petersburg
1.6 km · 2 min
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13
Continue straight
1.1 km · 45 sec
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14
Take the exit slight right toward US 41: Palmetto, Bradenton
1678 ft · 41 sec
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Palmetto, Bradenton
109 m · 11 sec
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16
Turn left onto Tamiami Trail
6.2 mi · 9 min · Tamiami Trail
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17
Continue on Hernando DeSoto Bridge
2226 ft · 38 sec · Hernando DeSoto Bridge
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18
Continue on 1st Street West
1.5 km · 2 min · 1st Street West
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19
Keep slight right to continue on 1st Street West
1.5 mi · 3 min · 1st Street West
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20
Continue on Cortez Road
1.2 mi · 3 min · Cortez Road
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21
Turn right onto 20th Street West
44 m · 9 sec · 20th Street West
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22
Turn right
41 m · 10 sec
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lakeland and South Bradenton.
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.
I 75 South
Merge slight left
31.9 mi · 00h 34m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Lakeland and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Sunny near South Bradenton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lakeland to South Bradenton?
The road trip is about 70.6 miles (113.7 km) and usually takes 01h 28m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Riverview is a useful midpoint, sitting about 35.4 miles from Lakeland and 35.3 miles from South Bradenton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 55.5 miles (89.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.1 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:32 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.33 one way or $20.66 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Lakeland and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Sunny near South Bradenton.
Stop Ideas Near Riverview
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 Riverview.
Union Station
St Petersburg-Pinellas Park-Clearwater, Florida
Lakeland
Lakeland
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lakeland and South Bradenton. Straight-line distance: 55.49 mi (89.3 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 South Bradenton
Census-designated place in Manatee County, Florida
| Population | 22,178 |
| Coordinates | 27.4631000, -82.5817600 |
| Altitude | 6 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Bradenton (-82.58176, 27.4631)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 114 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 21m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 45m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 24m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 10m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 00m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 52m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $10.33 | $20.66 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $11.44 | $22.89 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $12.19 | $24.38 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $10.83 | $21.66 |
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.