How far is Lakeland, FL from Sun City Center, FL?
The driving distance from Lakeland, FL to Sun City Center, FL is about 49.7 miles (80 km), with a travel time of about 01h 01m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 33.1 miles (53.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 03m 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 01m.
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.
Census-designated place in Hillsborough County, Florida
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lakeland and Sun City Center.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lakeland and Sun City Center.
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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
20.5 mi · 22 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward FL 674 East: Sun City Center
1862 ft · 45 sec
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13
Turn straight onto College Avenue
92 m · 5 sec · College Avenue
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14
Continue on Sun City Center Boulevard
2 mi · 3 min · Sun City Center Boulevard
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15
Turn left onto North Pebble Beach Boulevard
1247 ft · 44 sec · North Pebble Beach Boulevard
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16
Turn right onto Cherry Hills Drive
1052 ft · 52 sec · Cherry Hills Drive
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17
Turn left
113 m · 27 sec
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lakeland and Sun City Center.
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.
Kathleen Road
Merge slight left
21.1 mi · 00h 23m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Lakeland and Partly Sunny near Sun City Center.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lakeland to Sun City Center?
The road trip is about 49.7 miles (80 km) and usually takes 01h 01m 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?
Mango is a useful midpoint, sitting about 24.9 miles from Lakeland and 24.9 miles from Sun City Center.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 33.1 miles (53.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.6 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:26 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.26 one way or $14.52 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Lakeland and Partly Sunny near Sun City Center.
Stop Ideas Near Mango
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 Mango.
Union Station
Lakeland
Lakeland
St Petersburg-Pinellas Park-Clearwater, Florida
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lakeland and Sun City Center. Straight-line distance: 33.1 mi (53.27 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 Sun City Center
Census-designated place in Hillsborough County, Florida
| Population | 19,258 |
| Coordinates | 27.7180900, -82.3517600 |
| Altitude | 15 |
| Country | United States |
End: Sun City Center (-82.35176, 27.71809)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 80 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 14m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 49m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 37m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $7.26 | $14.52 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $8.04 | $16.09 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $8.57 | $17.14 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $7.61 | $15.22 |
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.