How far is Placid Lakes, FL from Tampa, FL?
The driving distance from Placid Lakes, FL to Tampa, FL is about 120.7 miles (194.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 07m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 80.8 miles (130 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 14m 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 07m.
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.
City in Polk County, Florida, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Placid Lakes and Tampa.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Placid Lakes and Tampa.
-
1
Start on Kingfisher Avenue Northwest
830 ft · 39 sec · Kingfisher Avenue Northwest
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2
Turn right onto Challenger Street Northwest
2826 ft · 2 min · Challenger Street Northwest
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3
Turn left onto Jefferson Avenue
2333 ft · 1 min · Jefferson Avenue
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4
Continue on Placid Lakes Boulevard
849 ft · 25 sec · Placid Lakes Boulevard
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5
Turn right onto Lincoln Road Northeast
1.2 mi · 3 min · Lincoln Road Northeast
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6
Turn right onto Washington Boulevard Northeast
79 m · 14 sec · Washington Boulevard Northeast
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7
Turn left onto Placid View Drive
1.7 mi · 4 min · Placid View Drive
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8
Turn right onto Lake Mirror Drive
1.5 km · 2 min · Lake Mirror Drive
-
9
Turn left
1.5 mi · 2 min
-
10
Continue straight
918 ft · 20 sec
-
11
Continue straight
10.1 mi · 13 min
-
12
Continue straight
36.9 mi · 49 min
-
13
Take the exit left
1135 ft · 31 sec
-
14
Merge slight left
13.9 mi · 17 min
-
15
Take the exit left toward Flamingo Drive
2543 ft · 54 sec · Flamingo Drive
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16
Continue on Main Street
1.7 mi · 3 min · Main Street
-
17
Turn left
25.8 mi · 34 min
-
18
Continue straight
4.5 mi · 8 min
-
19
Turn straight onto Adamo Drive
1875 ft · 36 sec · Adamo Drive
-
20
Continue on East Adamo Drive
2.1 mi · 3 min · East Adamo Drive
-
21
Take the ramp left toward FL 618 Toll West
1502 ft · 41 sec
-
22
Merge slight left onto Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
5.2 mi · 6 min · Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
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23
Take the exit slight right toward FL 60: Kennedy Boulevard, Downtown - East
1212 ft · 31 sec
-
24
Turn straight onto East Kennedy Boulevard
1885 ft · 1 min · East Kennedy Boulevard
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Kennedy Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Placid Lakes and Tampa.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Lake Mirror Drive
Continue straight
36.9 mi · 00h 49m
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.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy leaving Placid Lakes and Partly Sunny near Tampa.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Placid Lakes to Tampa?
The road trip is about 120.7 miles (194.3 km) and usually takes 02h 07m 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?
Lake Wales is a useful midpoint, sitting about 54.6 miles from Placid Lakes and 66.2 miles from Tampa.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 80.8 miles (130 km), while the road route adds roughly 39.9 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 2:16 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.67 one way or $35.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 37.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy around Placid Lakes and Partly Sunny near Tampa.
Stop Ideas Near Lake Wales
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 Lake Wales.
Winter Haven
Lakeland
Lakeland
Kissimmee
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Placid Lakes and Tampa. Straight-line distance: 80.78 mi (130 km).
#1 Placid Lakes
City in United States of America
| Population | 3,716 |
| Coordinates | 27.2414400, -81.4070200 |
| Altitude | 39 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Tampa
The third most populous city in Florida and the center of the Tampa metropolitan area.
| Population | 407,599 |
| Coordinates | 27.9475200, -82.4584300 |
| Altitude | 1 |
| Country | United States |
End: Kennedy Boulevard (-82.458429, 27.947518)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 194 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 01m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 01m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 24m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 00m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 43m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $17.67 | $35.34 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $19.58 | $39.16 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $20.86 | $41.71 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $18.53 | $37.06 |
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 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.