How far is South Venice, FL from Lakeland, FL?
The driving distance from South Venice, FL to Lakeland, FL is about 97.3 miles (156.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 59m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 74.1 miles (119.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 58m 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 01h 59m.
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 Hillsborough County, Florida
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between South Venice and Lakeland.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Venice and Lakeland.
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1
Start on Hudson Road
51 m · 13 sec · Hudson Road
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2
Turn left onto Sterling Road
152 m · 24 sec · Sterling Road
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3
Turn right onto Jamaica Road
1907 ft · 1 min · Jamaica Road
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4
Continue on West Seminole Drive
2247 ft · 2 min · West Seminole Drive
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5
Turn left onto Tamiami Trail
1 mi · 2 min · Tamiami Trail
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6
Keep slight right to continue on US 41 By-Pass
3 mi · 5 min · US 41 By-Pass
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7
Turn straight onto Tamiami Trail
2.8 mi · 5 min · Tamiami Trail
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8
Turn slight right
4.3 mi · 6 min
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9
Merge slight left
59.2 mi · 1 hr 4 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 4: Tampa, Orlando
1.2 mi · 2 min
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11
Keep slight right to continue on I 4 East: Orlando
2988 ft · 51 sec
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12
Merge slight left
19 mi · 20 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward Lakeland
2222 ft · 54 sec
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14
Turn straight onto Memorial Boulevard
3.4 mi · 6 min · Memorial Boulevard
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15
Continue on East Memorial Boulevard
1061 ft · 29 sec · East Memorial Boulevard
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16
Turn right onto North Massachusetts Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · North Massachusetts Avenue
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17
At the end of the road, turn left onto Lake Morton Drive
1039 ft · 32 sec · Lake Morton Drive
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18
Turn left onto East Walnut Street
129 m · 19 sec · East Walnut Street
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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 Venice and Lakeland.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Tamiami Trail
Merge slight left
59.2 mi · 01h 04m
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.
Sunny leaving South Venice 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 Venice to Lakeland?
The road trip is about 97.3 miles (156.6 km) and usually takes 01h 59m 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?
Ruskin is a useful midpoint, sitting about 48.7 miles from South Venice and 48.6 miles from Lakeland.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 74.1 miles (119.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.2 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 2:32 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.23 one way or $28.46 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 30.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around South Venice and Sunny near Lakeland.
Stop Ideas Near Ruskin
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 Ruskin.
Bradenton, Florida
Union Station
St Petersburg-Pinellas Park-Clearwater, Florida
Sarasota, Florida
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between South Venice and Lakeland. Straight-line distance: 74.09 mi (119.24 km).
#1 South Venice
Census-designated place in Sarasota County, Florida
| Population | 13,949 |
| Coordinates | 27.0531100, -82.4242600 |
| Altitude | 4 |
| 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: 157 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 14m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 25m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 12m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $14.23 | $28.46 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $15.76 | $31.53 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $16.79 | $33.59 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $14.92 | $29.84 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.