How far is Tampa, FL from Lake Wales, FL?
The driving distance from Tampa, FL to Lake Wales, FL is about 62.2 miles (100.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 53.4 miles (85.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 39m 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 19m.
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 Polk County, Florida
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Tampa and Lake Wales.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tampa and Lake Wales.
-
1
Start on East Kennedy Boulevard
122 m · 17 sec · East Kennedy Boulevard
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2
Turn right onto North Ashley Drive
1748 ft · 49 sec · North Ashley Drive
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3
Take the ramp straight toward I 275
1164 ft · 29 sec
-
4
Keep slight right to continue on I 275 North
843 ft · 21 sec
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5
Merge slight left
1.1 km · 1 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 4 East: Orlando
2472 ft · 42 sec
-
7
Continue straight
25.8 mi · 29 min
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward FL 570 Toll East: Lakeland, Winter Haven
2270 ft · 55 sec
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9
Continue on Polk Parkway
9.4 mi · 11 min · Polk Parkway
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward US 98: Lakeland, Bartow
2311 ft · 57 sec
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11
Turn right onto Bartow Road
6.9 mi · 10 min · Bartow Road
-
12
Continue on Broadway Avenue
3183 ft · 1 min · Broadway Avenue
-
13
Turn left onto Van Fleet Drive
2787 ft · 1 min · Van Fleet Drive
-
14
Continue straight
1427 ft · 27 sec
-
15
Continue straight
10.8 mi · 14 min
-
16
Continue straight
3.7 mi · 5 min
-
17
Take the exit slight right toward US 27: Haines City, Avon Park
1128 ft · 31 sec
-
18
Keep slight left
85 m · 11 sec
-
19
Turn left onto US 27
943 ft · 17 sec · US 27
-
20
Turn right onto West Central Avenue
1.4 km · 2 min · West Central Avenue
-
21
Turn left onto North Scenic Highway
87 m · 11 sec · North Scenic Highway
-
22
Turn right onto East Stuart Avenue
34 m · 6 sec · East Stuart Avenue
-
23
Turn right
69 m · 17 sec
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Tampa and Lake Wales.
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
Continue straight
25.8 mi · 00h 29m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Tampa and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lake Wales.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Tampa to Lake Wales?
The road trip is about 62.2 miles (100.1 km) and usually takes 01h 19m 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?
Medulla is a useful midpoint, sitting about 31.1 miles from Tampa and 31.1 miles from Lake Wales.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 53.4 miles (85.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.8 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:50 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.13 one way or $18.25 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 19.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Tampa and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lake Wales.
Stop Ideas Near Medulla
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 Medulla.
Lakeland
Lakeland
Winter Haven
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Tampa and Lake Wales. Straight-line distance: 53.36 mi (85.88 km).
#1 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 |
#2 Lake Wales
City in Polk County, Florida, United States
| Population | 17,693 |
| Coordinates | 27.9014100, -81.5859100 |
| Altitude | 45 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lake Wales (-81.58591, 27.90141)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 100 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 04m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 33m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 02m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 46m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $9.13 | $18.25 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $10.11 | $20.22 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $10.77 | $21.54 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $9.57 | $19.14 |
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 · Jun 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.