How far is Lakeland, FL from Sweetwater, FL?
The driving distance from Lakeland, FL to Sweetwater, FL is about 218 miles (350.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 184.9 miles (297.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 17m 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 38m.
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.
City in Glades County, Florida, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lakeland and Sweetwater.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lakeland and Sweetwater.
-
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
3.7 mi · 5 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward US 27: Haines City, Avon Park
1128 ft · 31 sec
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11
Keep slight right
83 m · 7 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto US 27
22.6 mi · 28 min · US 27
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13
Continue straight
10.3 mi · 15 min
-
14
Continue straight
55.1 mi · 1 hr 7 min
-
15
Merge slight left
1177 ft · 18 sec
-
16
Turn slight right
103 m · 4 sec
-
17
Continue straight
32.1 mi · 43 min
-
18
Continue straight
40.1 mi · 48 min
-
19
Continue straight
10.4 mi · 13 min
-
20
Keep slight right
8.6 mi · 11 min
-
21
Take the exit right toward Florida's Turnpike South: Homestead, Key West
1324 ft · 32 sec
-
22
Merge slight left onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
9.5 mi · 10 min · Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
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23
Take the exit slight right toward US 41 East: Southwest 8th Street
1973 ft · 1 min
-
24
Merge slight left onto Southwest 8th Street
1.5 km · 2 min · Southwest 8th Street
-
25
Turn left onto Southwest 109th Avenue
862 ft · 35 sec · Southwest 109th Avenue
-
26
Turn left onto Southwest 6th Street
52 m · 7 sec · Southwest 6th Street
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Southwest 6th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lakeland and Sweetwater.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US 27
Continue straight
55.1 mi · 01h 07m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Lakeland and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Sweetwater.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lakeland to Sweetwater?
The road trip is about 218 miles (350.9 km) and usually takes 04h 38m 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?
Moore Haven is a useful midpoint, sitting about 109.2 miles from Lakeland and 108.9 miles from Sweetwater.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 184.9 miles (297.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.1 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:42 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.94 one way or $63.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 68.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Lakeland and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Sweetwater.
Stop Ideas Near Moore Haven
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 Moore Haven.
Okeechobee
Fort Myers, Florida
Sebring
Port Charlotte, Florida
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lakeland and Sweetwater. Straight-line distance: 184.84 mi (297.47 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 Sweetwater
City in Texas, United States
| Population | 10,518 |
| Coordinates | 25.7634300, -80.3731100 |
| Altitude | 1 |
| Country | United States |
End: Sweetwater (-80.37311, 25.76343)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 351 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 15m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 21m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 06m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 43m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $31.94 | $63.88 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $35.39 | $70.78 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $37.70 | $75.40 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $33.50 | $66.99 |
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 29, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.