How far is Melbourne, FL from Lakeland, FL?
The driving distance from Melbourne, FL to Lakeland, FL is about 103.5 miles (166.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 14m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 81.8 miles (131.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 29m 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 02h 14m.
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 Osceola County, Florida.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Melbourne and Lakeland.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Melbourne and Lakeland.
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1
Start on Waverly Place
693 ft · 36 sec · Waverly Place
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2
Turn right onto East Fee Avenue
1.3 km · 2 min · East Fee Avenue
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3
Turn left onto South Babcock Street
1308 ft · 36 sec · South Babcock Street
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4
Turn right onto New Haven Avenue
42.2 mi · 54 min · New Haven Avenue
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5
Continue on East Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway
1.2 mi · 2 min · East Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway
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6
Continue on 13th Street
2.6 mi · 5 min · 13th Street
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7
Continue on East Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway
1140 ft · 22 sec · East Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway
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8
Continue on Bronson Highway
3.3 mi · 5 min · Bronson Highway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward Ocala, Miami, Florida's Turnpike Toll
848 ft · 21 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Florida's Turnpike North: Ocala
1 km · 1 min
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11
Merge slight left onto Florida's Turnpike
5.5 mi · 6 min · Florida's Turnpike
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12
Take the exit slight right toward FL 417 Toll: Tampa, Daytona Beach
1519 ft · 29 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on FL 417 Toll South: Tampa, Disney World
1.4 km · 2 min
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14
Merge slight left onto Central Florida GreeneWay
5.2 mi · 6 min · Central Florida GreeneWay
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Southern Connector Extension
8.2 mi · 10 min · Southern Connector Extension
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16
Merge slight left
26.9 mi · 29 min
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17
Take the exit slight right toward CR 582: Lakeland
1802 ft · 53 sec
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18
Turn left onto North Socrum Loop Road
2707 ft · 53 sec · North Socrum Loop Road
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19
Turn right onto Lakeland Hills Boulevard
2.9 mi · 6 min · Lakeland Hills Boulevard
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20
Continue on North Massachusetts Avenue
1 mi · 3 min · North Massachusetts Avenue
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21
At the end of the road, turn left onto Lake Morton Drive
1039 ft · 32 sec · Lake Morton Drive
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22
Turn left onto East Walnut Street
129 m · 19 sec · East Walnut Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Walnut Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Melbourne and Lakeland.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
New Haven Avenue
Turn right onto New Haven Avenue
42.2 mi · 00h 54m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Melbourne and Mostly Sunny near Lakeland.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Melbourne to Lakeland?
The road trip is about 103.5 miles (166.5 km) and usually takes 02h 14m 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?
Kissimmee is a useful midpoint, sitting about 51.7 miles from Melbourne and 51.8 miles from Lakeland.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 81.8 miles (131.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.7 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 2:00 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.14 one way or $30.28 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 32.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Melbourne and Mostly Sunny near Lakeland.
Stop Ideas Near Kissimmee
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 Kissimmee.
Kissimmee
Orlando Health/Amtrak
Winter Park
Winter Haven
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Melbourne and Lakeland. Straight-line distance: 81.86 mi (131.74 km).
#1 Melbourne
The most populous city in Brevard County, Florida.
| Population | 83,376 |
| Coordinates | 28.0836300, -80.6081100 |
| Altitude | 6 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lakeland
The most populous city in Polk County, Florida.
| Population | 115,283 |
| Coordinates | 28.0394700, -81.9498000 |
| Altitude | 60 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lakeland (-81.9498, 28.03947)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 167 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 26m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 35m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 04m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 43m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $15.14 | $30.28 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $16.78 | $33.55 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $17.87 | $35.74 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $15.88 | $31.75 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.