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Ridge Scenic Highway: SR 17, Lake Wales Ridge, Florida
Photo: Trevorrrrvalent · CC BY 4.0 · cropped

Drives Florida Orlando, Tampa Bay and Central Florida

Ridge Scenic Highway: SR 17

SR 17, Scenic Highway · Haines City → Frostproof

Leisurely32 mi55 min1,000 ft climbHigh point ≈ 300 ftOne way
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The drive

The Ridge Scenic Highway is SR 17 along the Lake Wales Ridge, central Florida's old sand ridge. This drive starts in Haines City and runs south for 31.7 miles through Dundee, Lake Wales, Babson Park and Frostproof, ending at US 27 south of Frostproof.

It passes lakes, citrus groves and small towns. Bok Tower Gardens is a short detour from Lake Wales.

The road is slow through the town centers and gently rolling between them.

Along the way

  1. Haines City
  2. Frostproof (US 27)
Elevation
1,000 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 300 ft
Haines CityFrostproof
Curves
Mostly gentle curves
Haines CityFrostproof
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • Bok Tower Gardens is a short detour from Lake Wales.
  • The drive ends at US 27 south of Frostproof.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check Florida 511.

Questions about this drive

How long is the Ridge Scenic Highway drive?

SR 17 from Haines City to Frostproof is 31.7 miles and takes about 55 minutes.

Which towns are on the Ridge Scenic Highway?

Haines City, Dundee, Lake Wales, Babson Park and Frostproof.

Is the Ridge Scenic Highway twisty?

No. It is Leisurely, with mostly gentle curves.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
Preview it in 3DFly the whole drive over satellite and terrain before you go.
Drive it with no signalAPEXDownload the map and every turn before you go.
Live Group TrackingAPEXEveryone on the route, on the map, by name.
Road conditionsAPEXWet or dry, ice, fog and wind along the road before you go.
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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Ridge Scenic Highway: SR 17, from Haines City to Frostproof