How far is South Miami, FL from Lakeland, FL?
The driving distance from South Miami, FL to Lakeland, FL is about 227.5 miles (366.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 47m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 190.7 miles (306.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 35m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
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 04h 47m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Glades County, Florida, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between South Miami and Lakeland.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Miami and Lakeland.
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1
Start on Southwest 68th Street
20 m · 10 sec · Southwest 68th Street
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2
Turn left onto Southwest 62nd Avenue
1287 ft · 43 sec · Southwest 62nd Avenue
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3
Turn right onto Southwest 72nd Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · Southwest 72nd Street
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward SR 826 North
1405 ft · 35 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Palmetto Expressway
5 mi · 7 min · Palmetto Expressway
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6
Keep slight left to continue on Express Lanes
10.9 mi · 12 min · Express Lanes
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7
Take the exit slight right toward SR 860: Northwest 186th Street, Miami Gardens Drive
1120 ft · 14 sec
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8
Merge slight right
13.6 mi · 15 min
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Alligator Alley, Naples
6.4 mi · 7 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 27: Hialeah, South Bay
1519 ft · 29 sec
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11
Keep slight right to continue on US 27 North: South Bay
2115 ft · 52 sec
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12
Merge slight left
1.4 km · 60 sec
-
13
Continue straight
62.2 mi · 1 hr 17 min
-
14
Continue straight
51 mi · 1 hr 2 min
-
15
Continue straight
918 ft · 20 sec
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16
Continue straight
10.1 mi · 13 min
-
17
Continue straight
36.9 mi · 49 min
-
18
Take the exit left
1135 ft · 31 sec
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19
Merge slight left
14.7 mi · 19 min
-
20
Turn left onto Van Fleet Drive
3253 ft · 1 min · Van Fleet Drive
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21
Turn right onto Broadway Avenue
3184 ft · 1 min · Broadway Avenue
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22
Continue on Bartow Road
10.7 mi · 16 min · Bartow Road
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23
Turn left onto East Lime Street
1939 ft · 1 min · East Lime Street
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24
Turn left onto South Lake Avenue
82 m · 13 sec · South Lake Avenue
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25
Turn right onto East Walnut Street
85 m · 12 sec · East Walnut Street
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Walnut Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between South Miami and Lakeland.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US 27 North
Continue straight
62.2 mi · 01h 17m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving South Miami and Partly Sunny near Lakeland.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from South Miami to Lakeland?
The road trip is about 227.5 miles (366.1 km) and usually takes 04h 47m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Moore Haven is a useful midpoint, sitting about 113.9 miles from South Miami and 113.5 miles from Lakeland.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 190.7 miles (306.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.8 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 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:24 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.31 one way or $66.62 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 71.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around South Miami and Partly Sunny near Lakeland.
Stop Ideas Near Moore Haven
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 Moore Haven.
Okeechobee
Fort Myers, Florida
Sebring
Port Charlotte, Florida
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between South Miami and Lakeland. Straight-line distance: 190.73 mi (306.95 km).
#1 South Miami
City in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States
| Population | 11,807 |
| Coordinates | 25.7076000, -80.2933800 |
| Altitude | 3 |
| 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: 366 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 41m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 32m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 47m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 50m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $33.31 | $66.62 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $36.91 | $73.81 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $39.31 | $78.63 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $34.93 | $69.86 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.