How far is Sun City Center, FL from Lakeland, FL?
The driving distance from Sun City Center, FL to Lakeland, FL is about 47.5 miles (76.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 33.1 miles (53.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 00m 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 00m.
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.
Partly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sun City Center and Lakeland.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sun City Center and Lakeland.
-
1
Start on the route
113 m · 28 sec
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto Cherry Hills Drive
1010 ft · 44 sec · Cherry Hills Drive
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3
Turn left onto North Pebble Beach Boulevard
1151 ft · 41 sec · North Pebble Beach Boulevard
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4
Turn right onto Sun City Center Boulevard
1.6 mi · 3 min · Sun City Center Boulevard
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 75 North: Tampa
3216 ft · 1 min
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6
Merge slight left
18.8 mi · 21 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 4: Tampa, Orlando
1.2 mi · 2 min
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 4 East: Orlando
2988 ft · 51 sec
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9
Merge slight left
19 mi · 20 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward Lakeland
2222 ft · 54 sec
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11
Turn straight onto Memorial Boulevard
3.4 mi · 6 min · Memorial Boulevard
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12
Continue on East Memorial Boulevard
1061 ft · 29 sec · East Memorial Boulevard
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13
Turn right onto North Massachusetts Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · North Massachusetts Avenue
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14
At the end of the road, turn left onto Lake Morton Drive
1039 ft · 32 sec · Lake Morton Drive
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15
Turn left onto East Walnut Street
129 m · 19 sec · East Walnut Street
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Walnut Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sun City Center 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.
I 4 East
Merge slight left
19 mi · 00h 20m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Sun City Center 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 Sun City Center to Lakeland?
The road trip is about 47.5 miles (76.5 km) and usually takes 01h 00m 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?
Mango is a useful midpoint, sitting about 23.8 miles from Sun City Center and 23.7 miles from Lakeland.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 33.1 miles (53.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.4 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 4:30 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.97 one way or $13.94 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Sun City Center and Partly Sunny near Lakeland.
Stop Ideas Near Mango
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 Mango.
Union Station
Lakeland
Lakeland
St Petersburg-Pinellas Park-Clearwater, Florida
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sun City Center and Lakeland. Straight-line distance: 33.1 mi (53.27 km).
#1 Sun City Center
Census-designated place in Hillsborough County, Florida
| Population | 19,258 |
| Coordinates | 27.7180900, -82.3517600 |
| Altitude | 15 |
| 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: 77 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 40m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 35m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $6.97 | $13.94 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $7.72 | $15.44 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $8.23 | $16.45 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $7.31 | $14.62 |
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.