Gator's Dockside Windermere
Near the start, short detour
Windermere, Florida
Hours: 11 am–11 pm
+14072175191
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 5m
Distance
211.2 mi
340 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Sparse
1 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bay Hill, FL
Mick Haupt
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Bay Hill to Fort Lauderdale is 211.2 miles and takes about 4 hours 5 minutes via Florida's Turnpike and I-95, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Florida, making it a straightforward drive between two distinct parts of the state. With a 94% highway share, expect a consistent cruising experience for most of the trip. This is a good option if you're looking for a direct path with minimal navigation challenges, suitable for a single-day trip.
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
105.6 miles from Bay Hill, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 3m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Florida's Turnpike | 191.2 mi | 3h 26m |
| I 95 | 7.2 mi | 8m |
| West Broward Boulevard | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Wallace Road | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| I 4 | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Hollywood Way | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| North Andrews Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 38 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~5,148 veh/hr typical · worst 6,164
Quietest
2 AM
~297 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
Averaged across 103 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Step-by-step road directions between Bay Hill, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Start on Masters Boulevard
Turn right onto Brookline Drive
At end of road, turn left onto Tarawood Drive
Turn right onto Apopka Vineland Road
Turn left onto Wallace Road
At end of road, turn left onto Turkey Lake Road
Turn right onto Hollywood Way
Turn right onto Universal Boulevard
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 4
Take the exit
Continue on this road
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn left onto Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
Turn left onto Northwest 16th Avenue
Turn right onto North Andrews Avenue
Turn left onto SR 814
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 95
Take the exit
Turn left onto SR 842
Continue on SR 842
Arrive at destination
To make the most of this 4-hour drive, consider leaving early in the morning to avoid potential afternoon traffic congestion, especially as you near Fort Lauderdale. Given the relatively short duration, you can comfortably complete this trip in one day. There's one designated stop recommended, so plan it about halfway through your drive. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch on the Turnpike is 191.2 miles, and it's wise to refuel before that point if you're starting with less than a full tank.
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.
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 46 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105.6 miles or 2h 3m 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 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fort Lauderdale, FL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Bay Hill, 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 Bay Hill, FL
This is one driving day of about 211.2 miles and 4h 5m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
106 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 46 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 105.6 miles from Bay Hill, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Florida's Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 191.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Best coffee break · first break window
Orlando, Florida
Near the start, short detour
Hours: 7 AM–7 PM
+14074403019
Anaby's Cafe
Port St. Lucie, Florida
Berry Fresh Cafe
Port St. Lucie, Florida
Near the start, short detour
Windermere, Florida
Hours: 11 am–11 pm
+14072175191
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Orlando, Florida
Hours: 7 AM–7 PM
+14074403019
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Port St. Lucie, Florida
Hours: 6 AM–10 PM
+17722007326
Around the midpoint, short detour
Port St. Lucie, Florida
Hours: 7 AM–2:30 PM
+17723365291
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Orlando, Florida
Hours: 8 AM–8 PM
+14072932326
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Windermere, Florida
Hours: 7:30 am–6 pm
+14078760895
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Hours: 8:30 AM–10 PM
+19547643500
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Port St. Lucie, Florida
Hours: 7 AM–7 PM
+17722025887
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Orlando, Florida
Hours: 8 am–5 pm
+14077045878
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Okeechobee, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Jupiter, Florida
Hours: 7 am–7 pm
+15617412400
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Jupiter, Florida
Hours: 7 am–7 pm
+15617411359
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Orlando, Florida
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+14078555496
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Hours: 6 am–9 pm
+19548285411
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Orlando, Florida
+14073638000
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Oakland Park, Florida
Near the start, ~9 min detour
Orlando, Florida
Hours: 2 pm–12 am
+14073633867
Visit websiteNear the start, ~10 min detour
Orlando, Florida
Hours: 12–9 pm
+13217541700
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.2 and 208.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto Universal Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Florida's Turnpike, Miami, Ocala
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward Florida's Turnpike South, Miami
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
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
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
Regular Gas
$34.42 one way
$68.85 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $38.32 | $76.65 |
| premium | $4.94 | $41.09 | $82.19 |
| diesel | $6.08 | $50.57 | $101.14 |
Estimated Tolls: $13.39
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
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.9 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 63.4 | 0 | $22.18 | $10.14 |
| Efficient EV | 52.8 | 0 | $18.48 | $8.45 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 84.5 | 1 | $29.57 | $13.52 |
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (66% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Bay Hill on Sunday
Local time
11:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Mostly Sunny
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued October 18 at 9:11AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 18 at 2:56AM EDT until October 20 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Destination
Night in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday
Local time
11:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued October 18 at 9:11AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 18 at 2:56AM EDT until October 20 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
This drive is predominantly highway, with 94% of the 211.2 miles on major roads. You'll spend most of your time on Florida's Turnpike, covering a continuous stretch of 191.2 miles before transitioning to I-95 and then West Broward Boulevard. Expect frequent exits as you approach and enter the Fort Lauderdale area.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.2 miles in near Universal Boulevard.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 211.2 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 4.2 miles (Universal Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
46 ft
Total Descent
148 ft
Highest Point
103 ft
Elevation Range
101 ft
Founded 1911
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).
Top landmarks
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 5m. Total distance: 211.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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