Kendale Lakes to Lakeland is 222.5 miles and takes about 4h 47m via US 27 and FL 60, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Florida, moving from the southern part of the state towards the center. It's a fairly straightforward drive, mostly on main roads, making it a good option if you're looking for a direct trip. With a recommended one-day drive time and a reasonable fuel cost, this is a practical choice for getting between these two Florida locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
111.2 miles from Kendale Lakes, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 21m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 27
160.4 mi
3h 21m
Okeechobee Road
19.2 mi
24m
FL 60
14.7 mi
18m
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
10.9 mi
12m
Bartow Road
10.7 mi
16m
Southwest 127th Avenue
1 mi
2m
Van Fleet Drive
0.6 mi
1m
Southwest 42nd Street
0.6 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 27
— 160.4 mi, about 3h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kendale Lakes, FL and Lakeland, FL.
1
Start on Southwest 130th Place
29 ft·4 sec·Southwest 130th Place
2
Turn right onto Southwest 131st Path
202 ft·10 sec·Southwest 131st Path
3
Turn right onto Southwest 64th Terrace
132 ft·7 sec·Southwest 64th Terrace
4
Turn right onto Southwest 132nd Avenue
0.2 mi·23 sec·Southwest 132nd Avenue
5
At end of road, turn left onto Southwest 62nd Street
0.1 mi·21 sec·Southwest 62nd Street
6
Turn right onto Southwest 133rd Avenue
0.3 mi·41 sec·Southwest 133rd Avenue
7
Turn right onto Southwest 59th Street
0.1 mi·15 sec·Southwest 59th Street
8
Turn left onto Southwest 132nd Avenue
500 ft·22 sec·Southwest 132nd Avenue
9
Turn right onto Southwest 56th Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Southwest 56th Street
10
Turn left onto Southwest 127th Avenue
1.0 mi·2 min·Southwest 127th Avenue
11
Turn right onto Southwest 42nd Street
0.6 mi·59 sec·Southwest 42nd Street
Use the right lane.
12
Continue on Southwest 40th Street
0.4 mi·56 sec·Southwest 40th Street
13
Turn left onto Southwest 117th Avenue
0.2 mi·36 sec·Southwest 117th Avenue
Use the left lane.
14
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll NorthUse the left lane.
15
Merge onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
11 mi·12 min·Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 35Toward US 27: Okeechobee RoadUse the right lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·15 sec
Toward US 27: Okeechobee Road
18
Merge onto US 27
19 mi·24 min·Okeechobee Road
Use the right lane.
19
Continue on US 27
62 mi·1 hr 17 min·US 27
Use the left lane.
20
Continue on US 27; FL 80
51 mi·1 hr 2 min·US 27; FL 80
Use the left lane.
21
Continue on US 27
0.2 mi·19 sec·US 27
Use the left lane.
22
Continue on US 27
10 mi·12 min·US 27
Use the left lane.
23
Continue on US 27
37 mi·49 min·US 27
Use the left / straight lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Use the left lane.
25
Merge onto FL 60
15 mi·18 min·FL 60
Use the straight lane.
26
Turn left onto US 98; FL 60
0.6 mi·1 min·Van Fleet Drive
Use the left lane.
27
Turn right onto US 98
0.6 mi·1 min·Broadway Avenue
Use the right lane.
28
Continue on US 98
11 mi·16 min·Bartow Road
Use the left lane.
29
Turn left onto East Lime Street
0.4 mi·1 min·East Lime Street
Use the left lane.
30
Turn left onto South Lake Avenue
269 ft·13 sec·South Lake Avenue
31
Turn right onto East Walnut Street
279 ft·12 sec·East Walnut Street
32
Arrive at destination
East Walnut Street
Trip Plan
For this 4h 47m drive, leaving Kendale Lakes in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility with stops; consider breaking up the 160.4-mile stretch on US 27 if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the longer highway portions, and plan your fill-up accordingly, as the estimated fuel cost is around $35. The route is mostly highway, so be prepared for consistent speeds and potentially numerous exits as you get closer to Lakeland.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 111.2 miles from Kendale Lakes, FL, or about 2h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 160.4 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 49 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 111.2 miles or 2h 21m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lakeland, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Kendale Lakes, FL so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Kendale Lakes, FL
This is one driving day of about 222.5 miles and 4h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Kendale Lakes, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 27 for about 160.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Final third
4.7 mi from route
~12 min detour
$1 to $10
Sebring, Florida
Hours: 7 AM–1:30 PM
+18633146377
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.3 and 195.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
2.3 mi into trip|~5m in|Southwest 42nd Street
Turn right onto Southwest 42nd Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
3.6 mi into trip|~8m in
Take the ramp toward Florida's Turnpike Toll North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll North
7
15.1 mi into trip|~21m in
Take the exit toward US 27: Okeechobee Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 35
Toward US 27: Okeechobee Road
6
15.3 mi into trip|~22m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 27: Okeechobee Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 27: Okeechobee Road
6
195.1 mi into trip|~4h 8m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.68 one way
$67.36 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg78 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$36.96
$73.92
premium
$4.55
$39.86
$79.71
diesel
$4.80
$42.01
$84.02
Estimated Tolls: $0.65
Homestead Extension
(10.9 mi)$0.65
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66.8
0
$23.36
$10.68
Efficient EV
55.6
0
$19.47
$8.90
EV Truck/SUV
89
1
$31.15
$14.24
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Kendale Lakes, FL
Late night
in Kendale Lakes on Monday
Local time
2:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
93°F
Partly Sunny
SE 10 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 3:41PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Destination
Lakeland, FL
Late night
in Lakeland on Monday
Local time
2:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
SSW 10 mph34% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 3:41PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
3 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 47m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Biscayne National Park
National Park
Within sight of Miami, yet worlds away, Biscayne protects a rare combination of aquamarine waters, emerald islands, and fish-bejeweled coral reefs. Evidence of 10,000 years of human history is here to...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily highway, with 84% of the route on faster roads. You'll experience a longest stretch of 160.4 miles on US 27, which means extended periods of cruising. The transition to more surface roads will likely occur as you approach your destination in Lakeland, offering a change from the consistent highway environment. Expect a relatively smooth driving experience with fewer complex intersections for most of the trip.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 160.4 mi on US 27.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 27 and Okeechobee Road. You will hit about 23 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.3 miles in near Southwest 42nd Street.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 222.5 miles you will encounter 23 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.3 miles (Southwest 42nd Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 15.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Lakeland is the largest city in Polk County, Florida. It is home to Florida Southern College, which has the largest collection of buildings by Frank Lloyd Wright at a single site in the world.
Top landmarks
•Child of the Sun — Florida
•Polk Theatre — movie theater and theater in Lakeland, Florida
•Beacon Hill-Alta Vista Residential District — historic district in Florida, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 47m. Total distance: 222.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 160.4 miles on US 27. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.65 in tolls one way, starting with Homestead Extension. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 4 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Lakeland, FL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 4 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.3 miles (Southwest 42nd Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 15.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Biscayne National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Lakeland, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
