How far is Lakeland, FL from Tallahassee, FL?
The driving distance from Lakeland, FL to Tallahassee, FL is about 270.1 miles (434.7 km), with a travel time of about 04h 21m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 217.3 miles (349.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 42m 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 21m.
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 Alachua County, Florida, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lakeland and Tallahassee.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lakeland and Tallahassee.
-
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
727 ft · 22 sec · Lake Morton Drive
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3
Turn right onto South Iowa Avenue
1034 ft · 32 sec · South Iowa Avenue
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4
Continue on East Lemon Street
1307 ft · 46 sec · East Lemon Street
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5
Turn right onto South Florida Avenue
16.4 mi · 25 min · South Florida Avenue
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6
Turn right
34.8 mi · 46 min
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7
Keep slight left
89 m · 13 sec
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8
At the end of the road, turn left
1759 ft · 33 sec
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9
Turn right
2.5 mi · 4 min
-
10
Take the ramp slight right toward I 75 North: Ocala
1518 ft · 37 sec
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11
Merge slight left
114.4 mi · 2 hr 3 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 10: Jacksonville, Tallahassee
820 ft · 16 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 10 West: Tallahassee
1569 ft · 30 sec
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14
Merge slight right
87.7 mi · 1 hr 34 min
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15
Turn left onto Mahan Drive
6.7 mi · 12 min · Mahan Drive
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16
Continue on East Tennessee Street
3252 ft · 1 min · East Tennessee Street
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17
Turn left onto North Franklin Boulevard
2568 ft · 1 min · North Franklin Boulevard
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18
Turn right onto East Pensacola Street
1087 ft · 40 sec · East Pensacola Street
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19
Turn left onto South Calhoun Street
64 m · 10 sec · South Calhoun Street
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20
Turn right onto Apalachee Parkway
103 m · 12 sec · Apalachee Parkway
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21
Turn right onto South Monroe Street
9 m · 1 sec · South Monroe Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Monroe Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lakeland and Tallahassee.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 75 North
Merge slight left
114 mi · 02h 03m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Lakeland and Mostly Cloudy near Tallahassee.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lakeland to Tallahassee?
The road trip is about 270.1 miles (434.7 km) and usually takes 04h 21m 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?
Alachua is a useful midpoint, sitting about 133 miles from Lakeland and 137.1 miles from Tallahassee.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 217.3 miles (349.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 52.8 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 8:18 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.53 one way or $79.06 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 84.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Lakeland and Mostly Cloudy near Tallahassee.
Stop Ideas Near Alachua
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 Alachua.
Gainesville, Florida
Waldo, Florida
Ocala, Florida
Palatka
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lakeland and Tallahassee. Straight-line distance: 217.29 mi (349.69 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 Tallahassee
The capital of Florida.
| Population | 196,326 |
| Coordinates | 30.4382600, -84.2807300 |
| Altitude | 62 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Monroe Street (-84.280628, 30.438261)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 435 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 00m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 45m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 24m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 30m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 51m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 22m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $39.53 | $79.06 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $43.80 | $87.60 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $46.66 | $93.32 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $41.46 | $82.91 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.