Lakeland to Tampa drive: Distance, time & attractions
The distance from Lakeland to Tampa by car is 35 miles, with a 37 minute driving time. The best road trip stops on the Lakeland to Tampa drive are the Bing Rooming House Museum, Dinosaur World and Cracker Country.
Finding things to do between Lakeland and Tampa
The short drive from Lakeland to Tampa takes you through central Florida to the west coast.
Lakeland is a somewhat overlooked Florida City which is, as the name suggests, based around a series of lakes. Of these, Lake Mirror is the most popular, with a promenade and amphitheatre. It also has Hollis Garden, an impressive botanical garden, at the southern end. For something less sculpted, the Circle B Bar Reserve is a former cattle ranch that is now a great place to see alligators.
The city is also home to Florida Southern University, which has the world’s largest concentration of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture.
Good Lakeland hotel choices include the spacious SpringHill Suites and the affordable, pool-equipped Travelodge.
Tampa is justifiably one of the most popular holiday destinations in Florida. It’s home to top attractions such as the Florida Aquarium, ZooTampa, the Adventure Island water park and Busch Gardens theme park.
Other great Tampa experiences include historic Ybor City food walking tours, seeing the highlights in a street legal golf cart and a Haunted Tampa tour that combines ghosts and pubs.
Also on offer are Segway tours, history cruises, dolphin-watching and celebrity homes tours.
Tampa accommodation is best booked in advance – look for deals here.
Lakeland to Tampa distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Lakeland to Tampa is 35 miles. You can expect a driving time of around 37 minutes. The quickest route is down the I-4.
The best stops to add to a Lakeland to Tampa road trip itinerary are the Bing Rooming House Museum, Dinosaur World and Cracker Country.
Lakeland to Tampa drive: Bing Rooming House Museum
The Bing Rooming House Museum in Plant City FL is an attempt to preserve African-American heritage from an African-American perspective. It focuses on the segregation era, using artifacts, written documents and oral histories to tell the stories.
During the segregation era, the museum building was a hotel for people of color.
Best stops between Lakeland and Tampa: Dinosaur World
Dinosaur World to the west of Plant City is not exactly Jurassic Park. But it does bring hundreds of life-size dinosaur models together in one place. The idea is that you get to see them in a natural setting, walking along the trails and boardwalks. There are also interactive exhibits, a dinosaur-themed playground and a massive gift shop on site.
Lakeland to Tampa road trip attractions: Cracker Country
On the Florida State Fairgrounds on the outskirts of Tampa, Cracker Country is a living history museum. It features 13 old buildings, built between 1870 and 1912, and relocated from around rural Florida. These include a schoolhouse, railway depot, church, cane mill and blacksmith’s shop. The aim is to show how life once was in country Florida.
More Lakeland road trips
Jacksonville to Lakeland | Lakeland to Orlando.
More Tampa road trips
Asheville to Tampa | Atlanta to Tampa | Austin to Tampa | Baltimore to Tampa | Buffalo to Tampa | Dallas to Tampa | Tampa to Daytona Beach | Tampa to Destin | Gainesville to Tampa | Houston to Tampa | Jacksonville to Tampa | Memphis to Tampa | Nashville to Tampa | Ocala to Tampa | Orlando to Tampa | Philadelphia to Tampa | Pittsburgh to Tampa | Tampa to St Augustine | St Louis to Tampa | Tallahassee to Tampa | Valdosta to Tampa | Washington DC to Tampa.