Origin
Buenaventura Lakes, FL
Morning in Buenaventura Lakes on Sunday
Local time
9:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Buenaventura Lakes, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 42m
Distance
196 mi
315 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 30m
★
6 AM
3h 42m
8 AM
4h 7m
10 AM
3h 51m
12 PM
3h 49m
3 PM
3h 52m
5 PM
4h 6m
8 PM
3h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Buenaventura Lakes, FL
Matt Fitz Gibaud
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Buenaventura Lakes to Fort Lauderdale is 196 miles and takes about 3h 42m via Florida's Turnpike and I-95, with a fuel budget near $31 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, highway-focused drive entirely within Florida, making it a convenient option for a single-day trip. You'll be spending most of your time on major interstates, so expect a consistent pace. It's a practical choice if you need to get from the Orlando area down to South Florida efficiently without much fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
98 miles from Buenaventura Lakes, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 49m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Florida's Turnpike | 180.3 mi | 3h 14m |
| I 95 | 7.2 mi | 8m |
| West Broward Boulevard | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| East Osceola Parkway | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Buenaventura Boulevard | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| North Andrews Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| East Broward Boulevard | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 180.3 mi, about 3h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buenaventura Lakes, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL.
1
Start on Gardenia Road
466 ft
·
22 sec
·
Gardenia Road
2
Turn right onto Kumquat Lane
260 ft
·
16 sec
·
Kumquat Lane
3
Turn left onto Florida Parkway
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Florida Parkway
4
Turn right onto Buenaventura Boulevard
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Buenaventura Boulevard
5
Turn left onto CR 522
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
East Osceola Parkway
Use the left lane.
6
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
Toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike Toll South
Use the left lane.
7
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
180 mi
·
3 hr 14 min
·
Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 67
Toward Coconut Creek Parkway, Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
251 ft
·
15 sec
Toward East Martin Luther King Boulevard, Atlantic Boulevard
10
Turn left onto Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
11
Turn left onto Northwest 16th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
Northwest 16th Avenue
12
Turn right onto North Andrews Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Andrews Avenue
13
Turn left onto SR 814
497 ft
·
16 sec
·
West Atlantic Boulevard
Use the left lane.
14
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
58 sec
Toward I 95 South: Miami
15
Merge onto I 95
7.2 mi
·
8 min
·
I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 27
Toward SR 842: Broward Boulevard, Downtown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn left onto SR 842
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
West Broward Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on SR 842
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
East Broward Boulevard
Use the left lane.
19
Arrive at destination
SR 842
Trip Plan
With a drive time of under 4 hours, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Consider leaving in the morning to take advantage of daylight and avoid the worst of any potential traffic. Your longest stretch on Florida's Turnpike is over 180 miles, so plan your fuel stops accordingly before embarking on that segment. Given the relatively short duration, you have flexibility to stop for a break if needed, but you won't necessarily need to break the drive into two days.
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 98 miles from Buenaventura Lakes, FL, or about 1h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 180.3 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 43 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 98 miles or 1h 49m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 56m
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 Buenaventura Lakes, 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 Buenaventura Lakes, FL
This is one driving day of about 196 miles and 3h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Buenaventura Lakes, 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 180.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
98 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 43 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 98 miles from Buenaventura Lakes, 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 180.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 193.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Kumquat Lane
Turn right onto Kumquat Lane
Navigation decision point
8
2.2 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Turn left toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike Toll South
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike Toll South
8
183 mi into trip
|
~3h 20m 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
183.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 22m 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
193.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 36m 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
$31.20 one way
$62.40 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
69 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $33.94 | $67.87 |
| premium | $4.72 | $36.45 | $72.89 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $43.27 | $86.55 |
Estimated Tolls: $12.62
Florida's Turnpike
(180.3 mi)
$12.62
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
$31
Tolls
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 58.8 | 0 | $20.58 | $9.41 |
| Efficient EV | 49 | 0 | $17.15 | $7.84 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 78.4 | 0 | $27.44 | $12.54 |
Gas CO2
69 kg
EV CO2
23 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.
Destination
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Morning in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday
Local time
9:56 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
3h 42m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is overwhelmingly a highway-focused drive, with 96% of the journey on major roads. You'll spend the bulk of your time on Florida's Turnpike and I-95, which means you can maintain a steady speed for most of the 196 miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a significant 180.3 miles on Florida's Turnpike, so pack snacks and entertainment for this part. While primarily interstate, the transition onto West Broward Boulevard towards the end will bring you into a more urban setting.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 180.3 mi on Florida's Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and I 95. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Kumquat Lane.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 196 miles you will encounter 16 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Kumquat Lane): Navigation decision point; at 2.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 183 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
About the Cities
Arriving in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Full guide →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).
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 42m. Total distance: 196 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 180.3 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $12.62 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 0.1 miles (Kumquat Lane): Navigation decision point; at 2.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 183 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Fort Lauderdale, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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