Traveling from Auburndale to Fort Lauderdale covers 205.8 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 9 minutes. This highway-focused route utilizes FL 60, Florida's Turnpike, and I-95 to get you to the coast efficiently. You can easily complete this drive in a single day, as it is designed for direct transit rather than a multi-day excursion. Budgeting approximately $34 for fuel should cover your needs for the trip. Since both cities are within Florida, you will experience a consistent regional climate while transitioning from the interior of the state toward the Atlantic coast.
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
102.9 miles from Auburndale, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
125.3 mi
2h 15m
FL 60
54.8 mi
1h 10m
I 95
7.2 mi
8m
Snively Avenue
5.8 mi
10m
Recker Highway
4.1 mi
6m
West Broward Boulevard
1.8 mi
3m
Main Street
1.4 mi
2m
Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 125.3 mi, about 2h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Auburndale, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL.
1
Start on North Bartow Avenue
10 ft·0 sec·North Bartow Avenue
2
Continue on Main Street
1.4 mi·2 min·Main Street
3
At end of road, turn right onto FL 655
4.1 mi·6 min·Recker Highway
4
Turn left onto Lake Shipp Drive
1.1 mi·2 min·Lake Shipp Drive
5
Continue on Snively Avenue
5.8 mi·10 min·Snively Avenue
6
At end of road, turn left onto FL 60
4.2 mi·4 min·FL 60
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on FL 60
4.3 mi·5 min·FL 60
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on FL 60
46 mi·59 min·FL 60
Use the left lane.
9
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Use the left lane.
10
Continue on this road
295 ft·7 sec·this road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward Florida's Turnpike South: MiamiUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
125 mi·2 hr 15 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 67Toward Coconut Creek Parkway, Martin Luther King BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
251 ft·15 sec
Toward East Martin Luther King Boulevard, Atlantic Boulevard
15
Turn left onto Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
1.4 mi·2 min·Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
16
Turn left onto Northwest 16th Avenue
0.1 mi·25 sec·Northwest 16th Avenue
17
Turn right onto North Andrews Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·North Andrews Avenue
18
Turn left onto SR 814
497 ft·16 sec·West Atlantic Boulevard
Use the left lane.
19
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·58 sec
Toward I 95 South: Miami
20
Merge onto I 95
7.2 mi·8 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 27Toward SR 842: Broward Boulevard, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn left onto SR 842
1.8 mi·3 min·West Broward Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
23
Continue on SR 842
0.2 mi·35 sec·East Broward Boulevard
Use the left lane.
24
Arrive at destination
SR 842
Trip Plan
To keep your 4-hour and 9-minute journey stress-free, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Leaving early in the day is your best strategy to avoid peak congestion as you approach the Fort Lauderdale area. Because the route relies so heavily on the Turnpike, keep your payment method for tolls ready to ensure a smooth transition through the various collection points. Since this is a manageable one-day drive, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule, though staying mindful of the 205.8-mile distance is key to maintaining a comfortable pace. Always double-check your tire pressure before heading out to ensure you get the best mileage from your $34 fuel budget.
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 102.9 miles from Auburndale, FL, or about 2h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 125.3 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 45 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.9 miles or 2h 10m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fort Lauderdale, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Auburndale, 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 Auburndale, FL
This is one driving day of about 205.8 miles and 4h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Auburndale, 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 Florida's Turnpike for about 125.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 67.2 and 203.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
67.2 mi into trip|~1h 31m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
67.4 mi into trip|~1h 32m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Florida's Turnpike South: Miami
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Florida's Turnpike South: Miami
8
192.8 mi into trip|~3h 48m in
Take the exit toward Coconut Creek Parkway, Martin Luther King Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 67
Toward Coconut Creek Parkway, Martin Luther Kin...
6
193.5 mi into trip|~3h 50m in
Keep slight left at fork toward East Martin Luther King Boulevard, Atlantic Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward East Martin Luther King Boulevard, Atlan...
8
203.4 mi into trip|~4h 4m in
Take the exit toward SR 842: Broward Boulevard, Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 27
Toward SR 842: Broward Boulevard, Downtown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.76 one way
$65.52 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$35.63
$71.27
premium
$4.72
$38.27
$76.53
diesel
$5.61
$45.44
$90.88
Estimated Tolls: $8.77
Florida's Turnpike
(125.3 mi)$8.77
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
$33
Tolls
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61.7
0
$21.61
$9.88
Efficient EV
51.5
0
$18.01
$8.23
EV Truck/SUV
82.3
1
$28.81
$13.17
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Auburndale, FL
Morning
in Auburndale on Sunday
Local time
10:40 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Morning
in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday
Local time
10:40 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
7 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 9m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highly efficient journey, as 91% of this route is composed of major highways. Your time behind the wheel will be dominated by a 125.3-mile stretch along Florida's Turnpike, which serves as the backbone of your trip. The experience is primarily an interstate-focused drive, favoring speed and directness over the slower pace of local backroads. As you progress from the quieter interior near Auburndale toward the busier corridors of Fort Lauderdale, the road environment shifts to accommodate higher traffic volumes. It is a straightforward, functional drive that prioritizes reaching your destination with minimal detours.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 125.3 mi on Florida's Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and FL 60. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 67.2 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 205.8 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 67.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 67.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 192.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Auburndale, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Florida's Turnpike South: Miami along the way.
Fort Lauderdale is a coastal city on the Atlantic Ocean in the US state of Florida. It is known as the "Venice of America" due to its expansive canal system. Situated in Broward County in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale metro area, the city's population is over 180,000 (2021).
The city is most famous for its beaches and boats, and while the city of Fort Lauderdale is relatively small in area, the term 'Fort Lauderdale' is often used to refer to the larger metropolis that has grown up around it. It is the county seat for Broward county, and is part of the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach metropolitan area, which has over 6.1 million people (2019).
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 9m. Total distance: 205.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 125.3 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $8.77 in tolls one way, starting with Florida's Turnpike. 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Fort Lauderdale, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 67.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 67.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 192.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Fort Lauderdale, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
