If you are planning to head from Brooksville to Fort Lauderdale, prepare for a 268.2-mile journey that typically takes about 5 hours and 16 minutes behind the wheel. This route is designed for efficiency, relying heavily on Florida's Turnpike to bridge the gap between the two cities. Budgeting around $45 for fuel is a safe estimate for the trip, which is easily manageable in a single day. Because the drive is straightforward and highway-focused, you won't need to worry about an overnight split unless you prefer a slower pace. You will be traveling from the Hernando County area down into the bustling Southeast Florida region, transitioning from a more relaxed inland setting to the dense urban corridor of the 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
134.1 miles from Brooksville, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
204.3 mi
3h 40m
Cortez Boulevard
33.7 mi
45m
FL 50
11.7 mi
18m
I 95
7.2 mi
8m
West Orange Street
1.9 mi
3m
West Broward Boulevard
1.8 mi
3m
Jefferson Street
1.5 mi
2m
Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 204.3 mi, about 3h 40m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 38 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~5,207 veh/hr typical
· worst 6,073
Quietest
2 AM
~284 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
18.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brooksville, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL.
1
Start on US 41; US 98; FL 50A
151 ft·9 sec·Jefferson Street
2
Turn left onto North Bailey Avenue
275 ft·17 sec·North Bailey Avenue
3
Turn left onto US 41; US 98; FL 50A
0.5 mi·1 min·Broad Street
4
Turn right onto US 98; FL 50A
1.5 mi·2 min·Jefferson Street
5
Continue on US 98; FL 50
34 mi·45 min·Cortez Boulevard
6
Continue on FL 50; FL 33
0.7 mi·1 min·Broad Street
7
Continue on FL 50; FL 33
1.9 mi·3 min·West Orange Street
8
Continue on FL 50
4.6 mi·7 min·FL 50
Use the left lane.
9
Continue on FL 50
0.5 mi·55 sec·FL 50
10
Continue on FL 50
3.0 mi·4 min·FL 50
Use the left lane.
11
Continue on FL 50
3.5 mi·5 min·FL 50
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll South, MiamiUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
14
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
204 mi·3 hr 40 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 67Toward Coconut Creek Parkway, Martin Luther King BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
251 ft·15 sec
Toward East Martin Luther King Boulevard, Atlantic Boulevard
17
Turn left onto Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
1.4 mi·2 min·Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
18
Turn left onto Northwest 16th Avenue
0.1 mi·25 sec·Northwest 16th Avenue
19
Turn right onto North Andrews Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·North Andrews Avenue
20
Turn left onto SR 814
497 ft·16 sec·West Atlantic Boulevard
Use the left lane.
21
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·58 sec
Toward I 95 South: Miami
22
Merge onto I 95
7.2 mi·8 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 27Toward SR 842: Broward Boulevard, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Turn left onto SR 842
1.8 mi·3 min·West Broward Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
25
Continue on SR 842
0.2 mi·35 sec·East Broward Boulevard
Use the left lane.
26
Arrive at destination
SR 842
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 5-hour and 16-minute drive, try to time your departure to avoid peak traffic hours in the metropolitan areas you will be entering. With only one recommended stop planned, you have plenty of flexibility to stretch your legs whenever you need a quick break from the turnpike. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the long 204.3-mile highway segment, though service plazas are readily available along the route to keep your tank topped off. Since this is a single-day trip, consider leaving early in the morning to maximize your time in Fort Lauderdale. A smart tip for this specific route is to have your toll payment method ready, as the heavy reliance on Florida's Turnpike means you will encounter multiple toll points along the way.
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 134.1 miles from Brooksville, FL, or about 2h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 204.3 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 59 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134.1 miles or 2h 44m 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 16m
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 Brooksville, 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 Brooksville, FL
This is one driving day of about 268.2 miles and 5h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Brooksville, 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 204.3 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 265.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|North Bailey Avenue
Turn left onto North Bailey Avenue
Navigation decision point
7
50.1 mi into trip|~1h 12m in
Take the exit toward Florida's Turnpike Toll South, Miami
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.
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll South, Miami
8
255.2 mi into trip|~4h 54m 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
255.8 mi into trip|~4h 56m 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
265.7 mi into trip|~5h 10m 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
$40.60 one way
$81.20 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg94 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$44.55
$89.10
premium
$4.55
$48.04
$96.09
diesel
$4.80
$50.64
$101.28
Estimated Tolls: $14.30
Florida's Turnpike
(204.3 mi)$14.30
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
$41
Tolls
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.5
0
$28.16
$12.87
Efficient EV
67.1
0
$23.47
$10.73
EV Truck/SUV
107.3
1
$37.55
$17.16
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Brooksville, FL
Evening
in Brooksville on Monday
Local time
8:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Partly Cloudy
SE 2 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 17 at 3:45AM EDT until July 18 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Destination
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Evening
in Fort Lauderdale on Monday
Local time
8:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Partly Cloudy
S 6 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 17 at 3:45AM EDT until July 18 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Tallahassee 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
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
5h 16m 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 transit, as 83 percent of this trip is spent on highways. The character of the drive is defined by the massive 204.3-mile stretch on Florida's Turnpike, which serves as the backbone of your journey. You will start by navigating local roads like Cortez Boulevard and FL 50 before merging onto the high-speed turnpike system. Because this is a highway-focused drive, the experience is consistent and fast-paced once you clear the initial local segments. It is a functional, no-nonsense route that prioritizes getting you to your destination as quickly as possible rather than offering varied, technical backroads.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 204.3 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 Cortez Boulevard. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North Bailey Avenue.
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 15 significant decision points across 268.2 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: near the start (North Bailey Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 50.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 255.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
182 ft2 ft
Total Climb
112 ft
Total Descent
292 ft
Highest Point
182 ft
Elevation Range
180 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Brooksville, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike Toll South and Miami.
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
•Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale — art museum in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA
•Bryan Building — building in Florida, United States
•North Woodlawn Cemetery — cemetery in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 16m. Total distance: 268.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 204.3 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $14.30 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.
Yes — we found about 15 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 15 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North Bailey Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 50.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 255.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.5 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.
