How far is Lakeland, FL from South Venice, FL?

The driving distance from Lakeland, FL to South Venice, FL is about 99 miles (159.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 59m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 74.1 miles (119.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 59m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
98.99 mi
01h 59m
Flight
74.09 mi
119.24 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Lakeland.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
74.09 mi
Kilometers
119.24 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
98.99 mi
Kilometers
159.31 km
Drive Time
01h 59m

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 59m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in South Venice
Sat, Apr 18, 4:37 PM EDT
Return by in Lakeland
Sat, Apr 18, 6:37 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lakeland
2026-04-18T14:38
Arrive South Venice
Sat, Apr 18, 4:37 PM EDT
Route Timing
01h 59m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:30 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Lakeland
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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
Ruskin
FL

Census-designated place in Hillsborough County, Florida

From Lakeland
49.6 mi
00h 59m
To South Venice
49.4 mi
00h 59m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
93°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 mph SE
Destination
80°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 12 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lakeland and South Venice.

  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

    1039 ft · 31 sec · Lake Morton Drive

  3. 3

    Turn right onto South Massachusetts Avenue

    72 m · 14 sec · South Massachusetts Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn left onto East Lime Street

    1877 ft · 56 sec · East Lime Street

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Sikes Boulevard

    2528 ft · 58 sec · Sikes Boulevard

  6. 6

    Continue on Kathleen Road

    2.4 mi · 5 min · Kathleen Road

  7. 7

    Turn left

    2373 ft · 60 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    21.1 mi · 23 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward I 75: Ocala, Naples

    1759 ft · 43 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on I 75 South: Naples

    1.3 km · 2 min

  11. 11

    Merge slight left

    60.9 mi · 1 hr 5 min

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on FL 681: Venice, Osprey

    3.9 mi · 5 min

  13. 13

    Turn straight onto Tamiami Trail

    2.6 mi · 4 min · Tamiami Trail

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on US 41 By-Pass

    3 mi · 5 min · US 41 By-Pass

  15. 15

    Continue on Tamiami Trail

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Tamiami Trail

  16. 16

    Turn right onto West Baffin Road

    1 km · 2 min · West Baffin Road

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Sterling Road

    1507 ft · 1 min · Sterling Road

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Hudson Road

    51 m · 7 sec · Hudson Road

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Hudson Road

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
19 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
2 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
19.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 75 South
61.8 mi · 62%
Kathleen Road
23.6 mi · 24%
FL 681
3.9 mi · 4%
Tamiami Trail
3.86 mi · 4%
US 41 By-Pass
3.03 mi · 3%
West Baffin Road
0.63 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 75 South

Merge slight left

60.9 mi · 01h 05m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 59m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+24.9 mi
74.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Ruskin
00h 59m from Lakeland
Leave By
2:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Lakeland and Sunny near South Venice.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Lakeland to South Venice?

The road trip is about 99 miles (159.3 km) and usually takes 01h 59m 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?

Ruskin is a useful midpoint, sitting about 49.6 miles from Lakeland and 49.4 miles from South Venice.

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

The direct path is about 74.1 miles (119.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.9 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 2:30 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.48 one way or $28.95 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Lakeland and Sunny near South Venice.

Stop Ideas Near Ruskin

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Ruskin, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

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

BUS

Bradenton, Florida

26 mi away
1115 Manatee Avenue West
RAIL

Union Station

26 mi away
601 North Nebraska Ave
BUS

St Petersburg-Pinellas Park-Clearwater, Florida

28 mi away
5251 110th Avenue North
BUS

Sarasota, Florida

44 mi away
1993 Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lakeland and South Venice. Straight-line distance: 74.09 mi (119.24 km).

Lakeland

#1 Lakeland

The most populous city in Polk County, Florida.

Population115,283
Coordinates28.0394700, -81.9498000
Altitude60
CountryUnited States
South Venice

#2 South Venice

Census-designated place in Sarasota County, Florida

Population13,949
Coordinates27.0531100, -82.4242600
Altitude4
CountryUnited States
Start: Lakeland (-81.9498, 28.03947)
End: South Venice (-82.42426, 27.05311)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 159 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 17m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 28m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 58m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 38m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 24m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 14m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.49 gal
13.22 L · about $14.48
Round trip
$28.95
6.98 gal · 26.44 L
Estimated CO2
31 kg one way
Round trip: 62 kg / 137 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.15 $14.48 $28.95
Mid-grade $4.60 $16.04 $32.08
Premium $4.90 $17.09 $34.17
Diesel $4.35 $15.18 $30.36

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Lakeland and South Venice. The current time is 14:38:13.

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.