How far is South Daytona, FL from Lakeland, FL?

The driving distance from South Daytona, FL to Lakeland, FL is about 108.6 miles (174.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 14m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 96.7 miles (155.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 28m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
108.53 mi
02h 14m
Flight
96.67 mi
155.57 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from South Daytona.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
96.67 mi
Kilometers
155.57 km
Flight Time
00h 11m

Driving Distance

Road route
108.53 mi
Kilometers
174.67 km
Drive Time
02h 14m

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.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lakeland
Sat, Apr 18, 10:42 PM EDT
Return by in South Daytona
Sun, Apr 19, 12:56 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave South Daytona
2026-04-18T20:27
Arrive Lakeland
Sat, Apr 18, 10:42 PM EDT
Route Timing
02h 14m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:14 AM to 12:14 PM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:02 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in South Daytona
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Orlando
FL

The most populous city in Florida and the center of the Orlando metropolitan area.

From South Daytona
54.3 mi
01h 07m
To Lakeland
54.2 mi
01h 07m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
85°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph SSE
Destination
93°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 mph SE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between South Daytona and Lakeland.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between South Daytona and Lakeland.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    90 m · 12 sec

  2. 2

    Exit the roundabout onto Anastasia Drive

    2679 ft · 1 min · Anastasia Drive

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Big Tree Road

    1.1 mi · 3 min · Big Tree Road

  4. 4

    Turn right onto South Nova Road

    1.1 km · 1 min · South Nova Road

  5. 5

    Turn left onto Beville Road

    2.7 mi · 4 min · Beville Road

  6. 6

    Continue on Beville Road

    1.4 km · 56 sec · Beville Road

  7. 7

    Continue straight

    36.6 mi · 40 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight right

    10.4 mi · 13 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward Ivanhoe Boulevard

    1699 ft · 44 sec

  10. 10

    Continue on I 4 West: Tampa

    2550 ft · 1 min

  11. 11

    Continue on I 4 West: Tampa

    1328 ft · 34 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    49.4 mi · 57 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward CR 582: Lakeland

    1802 ft · 53 sec

  14. 14

    Turn left onto North Socrum Loop Road

    2707 ft · 53 sec · North Socrum Loop Road

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Lakeland Hills Boulevard

    2.9 mi · 6 min · Lakeland Hills Boulevard

  16. 16

    Continue on North Massachusetts Avenue

    1 mi · 3 min · North Massachusetts Avenue

  17. 17

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Lake Morton Drive

    1039 ft · 32 sec · Lake Morton Drive

  18. 18

    Turn left onto East Walnut Street

    129 m · 19 sec · East Walnut Street

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Walnut Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between South Daytona and Lakeland.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
19 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Beville Road
50.6 mi · 47%
I 4 West
50.2 mi · 46%
Lakeland Hills Boulevard
2.94 mi · 3%
Big Tree Road
1.06 mi · 1%
North Massachusetts Avenue
1.05 mi · 1%
South Nova Road
0.7 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 4 West

Merge slight left

49.4 mi · 00h 57m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 14m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 28m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+11.9 mi
96.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Orlando
01h 07m from South Daytona
Leave By
2:02 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving South Daytona and Sunny near Lakeland.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from South Daytona to Lakeland?

The road trip is about 108.6 miles (174.7 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?

Orlando is a useful midpoint, sitting about 54.3 miles from South Daytona and 54.2 miles from Lakeland.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 96.7 miles (155.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.9 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 2:02 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.89 one way or $31.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 34 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around South Daytona and Sunny near Lakeland.

Stop Ideas Near Orlando

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Orlando and the surrounding midpoint area.
Windermere Town Hall
Scenic stop 9.9 mi away

Windermere Town Hall

Windermere , FL
520 Main St, Windermere, FL 34786
Rating 4.5/5 17 reviews Historical place
City of Orlando
Meeting point 0.6 mi away

City of Orlando

Orlando , FL
400 S Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32801
Rating 4.1/5 163 reviews City Hall
City Hall
Nearby stop 12.6 mi away

City Hall

Winter Garden , FL
W Plant St, Winter Garden, FL 34787
Rating 4.0/5 6 reviews Corporate office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Orlando.

RAIL

Orlando Health/Amtrak

1 mi away
1400 Sligh Blvd.
RAIL

Winter Park

7 mi away
150 West Morse Blvd
RAIL

Kissimmee

27 mi away
111 East Dakin Ave.
RAIL

Sanford

31 mi away
600 South Persimmon Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between South Daytona and Lakeland. Straight-line distance: 96.67 mi (155.57 km).

South Daytona

#1 South Daytona

City in Volusia County, Florida, United States of America

Population13,639
Coordinates29.1658200, -81.0045000
Altitude3
CountryUnited States
Lakeland

#2 Lakeland

The most populous city in Polk County, Florida.

Population115,283
Coordinates28.0394700, -81.9498000
Altitude60
CountryUnited States
Start: South Daytona (-81.0045, 29.16582)
End: Lakeland (-81.9498, 28.03947)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 175 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 36m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 42m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 10m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 48m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 33m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 21m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.83 gal
14.5 L · about $15.89
Round trip
$31.77
7.66 gal · 29 L
Estimated CO2
34 kg one way
Round trip: 68.1 kg / 150 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.15 $15.89 $31.77
Mid-grade $4.60 $17.60 $35.21
Premium $4.90 $18.75 $37.50
Diesel $4.35 $16.66 $33.32

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between South Daytona and Lakeland. The current time is 20:27:56.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.