How far is Merritt Island, FL from Lakeland, FL?
The driving distance from Merritt Island, FL to Lakeland, FL is about 98.7 miles (158.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 03m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 85.1 miles (136.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 07m 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 03m.
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 Orange County, Florida
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Partly Sunny then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Merritt Island and Lakeland.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Merritt Island and Lakeland.
-
1
Start on Roberts Road
1.1 km · 4 min · Roberts Road
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2
Turn right onto Kennedy Parkway North
1.6 km · 1 min · Kennedy Parkway North
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3
Turn slight right
1128 ft · 49 sec
-
4
Turn straight onto NASA Parkway
5 mi · 7 min · NASA Parkway
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5
Continue on NASA Causeway
2.5 mi · 4 min · NASA Causeway
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6
Continue on Columbia Boulevard
1.7 mi · 3 min · Columbia Boulevard
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7
Turn left onto Challenger Memorial Parkway
5.9 mi · 8 min · Challenger Memorial Parkway
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8
Take the ramp straight toward FL 528 Toll West
1.4 km · 1 min · Challenger Memorial Parkway
-
9
Merge slight left onto Beachline Expressway
20.7 mi · 22 min · Beachline Expressway
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward FL 417: Orlando, Tampa, Disney World, Sanford
1160 ft · 28 sec
-
11
Keep slight left to continue on FL 417 Toll South: Tampa, Disney World
1.3 mi · 3 min
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12
Merge slight left onto Central Florida GreeneWay
18.3 mi · 20 min · Central Florida GreeneWay
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Southern Connector Extension
8.2 mi · 10 min · Southern Connector Extension
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14
Merge slight left
26.9 mi · 29 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward CR 582: Lakeland
1802 ft · 53 sec
-
16
Turn left onto North Socrum Loop Road
2707 ft · 53 sec · North Socrum Loop Road
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17
Turn right onto Lakeland Hills Boulevard
2.9 mi · 6 min · Lakeland Hills Boulevard
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18
Continue on North Massachusetts Avenue
1 mi · 3 min · North Massachusetts Avenue
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19
At the end of the road, turn left onto Lake Morton Drive
1039 ft · 32 sec · Lake Morton Drive
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20
Turn left onto East Walnut Street
129 m · 19 sec · East Walnut Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Walnut Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Merritt Island and Lakeland.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Southern Connector Extension
Merge slight left
26.9 mi · 00h 29m
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 Cloudy leaving Merritt Island and Partly Sunny then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms near Lakeland.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Merritt Island to Lakeland?
The road trip is about 98.7 miles (158.8 km) and usually takes 02h 03m 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?
Meadow Woods is a useful midpoint, sitting about 49.3 miles from Merritt Island and 49.4 miles from Lakeland.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 85.1 miles (136.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.6 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 2:22 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.44 one way or $28.87 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 30.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Merritt Island and Partly Sunny then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms near Lakeland.
Stop Ideas Near Meadow Woods
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 Meadow Woods.
Kissimmee
Orlando Health/Amtrak
Winter Park
Sanford
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Merritt Island and Lakeland. Straight-line distance: 85.07 mi (136.9 km).
#1 Merritt Island
Census designated place in Brevard County, Florida, United States
| Population | 34,743 |
| Coordinates | 28.5391700, -80.6720000 |
| Altitude | 1 |
| 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: 159 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 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 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $14.44 | $28.87 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $15.99 | $31.99 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $17.04 | $34.08 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $15.14 | $30.28 |
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 · Jun 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.