Lakeland is the most populous city in Polk County, Florida, part of the Tampa Bay Area, located along Interstate 4 east of Tampa. According to the 2020 U.S. Census Bureau release, the city had a population of 112,641. Lakeland is a principal city of the Lakeland–Winter Haven Metropolitan Statistical Area.

I-4 (Interstate 4) is the main interstate in central Florida linking Tampa, Lakeland, Orlando, and Daytona Beach. SR 570 (or Polk Parkway), is a tolled beltway around Lakeland, with both ends terminating at Interstate 4. Although its shape, location, and tolls makes it impractical as a “bypass” road, it is useful as a way of getting from part of town to another and providing access to I-4 from most parts of the city. US 92, following Memorial Boulevard for most of the city, was the route leading to both Tampa and Orlando before I-4 was built; US 92 is still a main road leading to Plant City going west, and Auburndale, Winter Haven, and Haines City going east. US 98, going south, follows Bartow Road and leads to Bartow, the county seat. Heading north out of town, it provides a route to Dade City. SR 33, following mostly rural land, provides access to Lake County and the Florida Turnpike. SR 37, following Florida Avenue, the main north–south route in Lakeland, is also the main road leading south to Mulberry. SR 540, Winter-Lake Road, is in southern Lakeland, leading to Winter Haven and Legoland Florida.