How far is Panama City, FL from Lakeland, FL?
The driving distance from Panama City, FL to Lakeland, FL is about 366.6 miles (590 km), with a travel time of about 07h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 267.6 miles (430.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 14h 34m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM CDT.
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 07h 17m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
County seat of Suwannee County, Florida, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Panama City and Lakeland.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Panama City and Lakeland.
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1
Start on Luverne Avenue
131 m · 26 sec · Luverne Avenue
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2
Turn left onto East 7th Street
69 m · 14 sec · East 7th Street
-
3
Turn right onto Harrison Avenue
1 mi · 3 min · Harrison Avenue
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4
Continue straight
1.6 mi · 3 min
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5
Continue straight
1.3 mi · 2 min
-
6
Continue straight
21.2 mi · 27 min
-
7
Turn right
28.4 mi · 39 min
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8
Turn left
18.1 mi · 24 min
-
9
Turn right onto Selman Street
3018 ft · 1 min · Selman Street
-
10
Continue on Greensboro Highway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Greensboro Highway
-
11
Take the ramp slight right toward I 10 East: Tallahassee
2453 ft · 1 min
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12
Merge slight left
121.5 mi · 2 hr 10 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I-75 South: Tampa
1959 ft · 37 sec
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14
Merge slight left
114.5 mi · 2 hr 3 min
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward FL 470: Sumterville, Lake Panasoffkee
2015 ft · 51 sec
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16
Turn sharp left
2.6 mi · 4 min
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17
At the end of the road, turn left
1598 ft · 27 sec
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18
Turn right
34.9 mi · 47 min
-
19
Turn left onto US Highway 98 North
13.9 mi · 20 min · US Highway 98 North
-
20
Continue on North Florida Avenue
1.7 mi · 3 min · North Florida Avenue
-
21
Turn left onto East Memorial Boulevard
1105 ft · 37 sec · East Memorial Boulevard
-
22
Turn right onto North Massachusetts Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · North Massachusetts Avenue
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23
At the end of the road, turn left onto Lake Morton Drive
1039 ft · 32 sec · Lake Morton Drive
-
24
Turn left onto East Walnut Street
129 m · 19 sec · East Walnut Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Walnut Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Panama City and Lakeland.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 10 East
Merge slight left
121 mi · 02h 10m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Sunny leaving Panama City and Patchy Fog then Sunny near Lakeland.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Panama City to Lakeland?
The road trip is about 366.6 miles (590 km) and usually takes 07h 17m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Live Oak is a useful midpoint, sitting about 183.4 miles from Panama City and 183.2 miles from Lakeland.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 267.6 miles (430.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 99 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 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $53.68 one way or $107.35 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 115 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Panama City and Lakeland, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Panama City and Patchy Fog then Sunny near Lakeland.
Stop Ideas Near Live Oak
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 Live Oak.
Gainesville, Florida
Waldo, Florida
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Panama City and Lakeland. Straight-line distance: 267.6 mi (430.66 km).
#1 Panama City
County seat of Bay County, Florida, United States
| Population | 34,667 |
| Coordinates | 30.1594600, -85.6598300 |
| Altitude | 8 |
| 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: 590 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 12h 12m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 09h 09m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 19m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 06m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 34m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $53.68 | $107.35 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $59.47 | $118.94 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $63.35 | $126.71 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $56.29 | $112.58 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.