Beacon Square, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL is 280.7 miles and takes about 5h 24m via I 75 and US Highway 19, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Florida, taking you across the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Expect a predominantly highway-focused journey, suitable for a single day of travel. It's a straightforward trip for those looking to cover ground efficiently between these two Florida locations.
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
140.4 miles from Beacon Square, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
209.3 mi
3h 44m
US Highway 19
22.8 mi
32m
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
13.4 mi
15m
I 275
11.2 mi
14m
Port Everglades Expressway
10.1 mi
11m
US Highway 19 North
4.4 mi
6m
SR 84
2.2 mi
3m
Marina Boulevard
1.6 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 209.3 mi, about 3h 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Beacon Square, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL.
1
Start on Springfield Drive
337 ft·17 sec·Springfield Drive
2
Turn right onto Moog Road
0.9 mi·2 min·Moog Road
3
Turn right onto US 19
23 mi·32 min·US Highway 19
Use the left lane.
4
Keep slight left at fork onto US 19
4.4 mi·6 min·US Highway 19 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on US 19
0.6 mi·1 min·34th Street North
6
Turn left onto 54th Avenue North
0.8 mi·1 min·54th Avenue North
Use the left lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 275 SouthUse the right lane.
8
Merge onto I 275
10 mi·11 min·I 275
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·17 sec
10
Merge onto I 275; US 19
13 mi·15 min·Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 275
1.1 mi·2 min·I 275
Toward I 75 South: Naples
12
Merge onto I 75
28 mi·30 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
181 mi·3 hr 14 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 595
10 mi·11 min·Port Everglades Expressway
Exit 19Toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Springs, Fort LauderdaleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 9CToward SR 84 East: Marina Mile BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn straight onto SR 84
0.2 mi·18 sec·SR 84
Toward I 595 East, SR 84 East
17
Keep slight left at fork onto SR 84
2.0 mi·3 min·SR 84
Toward SR 84 East
18
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 84
1.6 mi·3 min·Marina Boulevard
Toward SR 84 East: Marina Mile BoulevardUse the right lane.
19
Turn left onto Southwest 4th Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Southwest 4th Avenue
Use the left lane.
20
Turn right onto Southwest 17th Street
0.3 mi·33 sec·Southwest 17th Street
21
Continue on Southeast 17th Street
0.1 mi·25 sec·Southeast 17th Street
22
Turn left onto Southeast 3rd Avenue
1.5 mi·3 min·Southeast 3rd Avenue
Use the straight lane.
23
Turn left onto SR 842
0.2 mi·35 sec·East Broward Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
24
Arrive at destination
SR 842
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 24m duration, starting your drive in Beacon Square in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight. With only one stop suggested, plan for a mid-drive break to refuel and stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 209.3-mile stretch on I 75, as services can be spaced out. The $45 fuel cost estimate is helpful for budgeting, and since it’s a single-day trip, you have flexibility to adjust your departure time as needed.
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 140.4 miles from Beacon Square, FL, or about 2h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 209.3 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 62 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 140.4 miles or 2h 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 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 Beacon Square, 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 Beacon Square, FL
This is one driving day of about 280.7 miles and 5h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Beacon Square, 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 I 75 for about 209.3 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 276.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1 mi into trip|~2m in|US 19 / US Highway 19
Turn right onto US 19 / US Highway 19
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
23.8 mi into trip|~35m in|US 19 / US Highway 19 North
Keep slight left at fork onto US 19 / US Highway 19 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
264 mi into trip|~4h 59m in|I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 19
Toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Spr...
7
274.1 mi into trip|~5h 10m in
Take the exit toward SR 84 East: Marina Mile Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 9C
Toward SR 84 East: Marina Mile Boulevard
7
276.5 mi into trip|~5h 15m in|SR 84 / Marina Boulevard
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 84 / Marina Boulevard toward SR 84 East: Marina Mile Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward SR 84 East: Marina Mile Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.68 one way
$89.36 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg98 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$48.60
$97.21
premium
$4.72
$52.19
$104.39
diesel
$5.61
$61.98
$123.95
Estimated Tolls: $0.94
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
(13.4 mi)$0.94
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
$45
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
84.2
1
$29.47
$13.47
Efficient EV
70.2
0
$24.56
$11.23
EV Truck/SUV
112.3
1
$39.30
$17.96
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Beacon Square, FL
Night
in Beacon Square on Saturday
Local time
10:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Night
in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday
Local time
10:50 PM
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
6 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
5h 24m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
De Soto National Memorial
National Memorial
In May 1539, Conquistador Hernando de Soto’s army of soldiers, hired mercenaries, craftsmen, and clergy made landfall in Tampa Bay. They were met with fierce resistance of indigenous people protecting...
5 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 48.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is heavily highway-focused, with 93% of the drive on major roads. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 209.3 miles on I 75, making for a consistent driving pace. The initial segments will likely involve navigating through Florida's highway system, including parts of US Highway 19, before merging onto the interstate. The Sunshine Skyway Bridge is a notable feature of this drive, offering a different kind of highway experience.
93% 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: 209.3 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and US Highway 19. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near US 19 / US Highway 19.
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 20 significant decision points across 280.7 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 1 miles (US 19 / US Highway 19): Lane positioning matters here; at 23.8 miles (US 19 / US Highway 19 North): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 264 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 5h 24m. Total distance: 280.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 209.3 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.94 in tolls one way, starting with Sunshine Skyway Bridge. 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 1 miles (US 19 / US Highway 19): Lane positioning matters here; at 23.8 miles (US 19 / US Highway 19 North): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 264 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — De Soto National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Fort Lauderdale, FL before the return drive.
