Two Cuban Guy's Home of Garcia's Place
Around the midpoint, short detour
Lake City, Florida
Hours: 11 am–6 pm
+13057755055
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
10h 26m
Distance
555.5 mi
894 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$84
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Callaway, FL
DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Callaway, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL is 555.5 miles and takes about 10h 26m via Florida's Turnpike and I-75, with a fuel budget near $84 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a long-haul drive primarily within Florida, connecting the panhandle region to South Florida. Given the 10.5-hour estimated driving time, it's best planned as a two-day trip to avoid fatigue. The route mostly uses major highways, making it a straightforward, albeit lengthy, transit.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
277.7 miles from Callaway, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 5h 19m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Florida's Turnpike | 240.6 mi | 4h 19m |
| I 10 | 121.5 mi | 2h 10m |
| I 75 | 107.2 mi | 1h 54m |
| FL 20 | 28.4 mi | 39m |
| FL 12 | 18.1 mi | 24m |
| US 231 | 16.1 mi | 20m |
| I 95 | 7.2 mi | 8m |
| North Star Avenue | 6.7 mi | 10m |
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 26 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,501 veh/hr typical · worst 2,043
Quietest
2 AM
~173 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Step-by-step road directions between Callaway, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Start on FL 22
Turn left onto CR 2315
Turn right onto US 231
Turn right onto FL 20
Turn left onto FL 12
Turn right onto FL 12; CR 270
Continue on FL 12
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 10
Take the exit
Merge onto I 75
Take the exit 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
For this 555.5-mile drive, splitting it over two days is highly recommended to ensure safety and enjoyment. Aim to leave early on your first day to cover about half the distance, perhaps stopping around the central part of the state. Your fuel budget is estimated at $84, so plan your fill-ups accordingly, especially before entering longer stretches with fewer services. Keep an eye on traffic conditions as you get closer to Fort Lauderdale, as congestion can add unexpected time to your final leg.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 122 miles or 2h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 277.7 miles or 5h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 277.7 miles or 5h 19m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 9h 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fort Lauderdale, FL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Callaway, 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.
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Callaway, FL
Aim for roughly 278 miles and 5.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Fort Lauderdale, FL
Aim for roughly 278 miles and 5.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
183 mi into the route
Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch
This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
367 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Orlando, FLNight 1
278 mi · about 5.2h in
A practical overnight split lands near Orlando, FL after about 278 miles or 5.2 hours of driving.
Find hotelsA short stop after about 122 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 277.7 miles from Callaway, 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 240.6 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 278 miles or 5.2 hours on the road.
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 · final third
Orlando, Florida
Around the midpoint, short detour
Hours: 7 AM–7 PM
+14074403019
Opus Coffee - UF Health Springhill
Gainesville, Florida
Casablanca Cafe
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Around the midpoint, short detour
Lake City, Florida
Hours: 11 am–6 pm
+13057755055
Near the end, ~10 min detour
Stuart, Florida
Hours: 3–9 PM
+17728883518
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Orlando, Florida
Hours: 7 AM–7 PM
+14074403019
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Gainesville, Florida
Hours: 7:30 am–4 pm
+13522268512
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Hours: 8:30 AM–10 PM
+19547643500
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Lake City, Florida
Hours: 5 am–1 pm
+13864388426
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Ocala, Florida
Hours: 7 am–2 pm
+13524219810
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Lake City, Florida
Hours: 6 am–8 pm
+13864388064
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Ocala, Florida
Hours: 9 am–6 pm
+13525812650
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Lake City, Florida
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+13867520202
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Ocala, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Gainesville, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Ocala, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Ocala, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18889982546
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Lake City, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Quincy, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18555675853
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Callaway, Florida
+18668167584
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Lake City, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Gainesville, Florida
Hours: 9 am–3 pm
+13523955633
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Hours: 6 am–9 pm
+19548285411
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Ocala, Florida
Hours: 9 am–7 pm
+13523685517
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Gainesville, Florida
Hours: Closed
+13523955381
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Orlando, Florida
Hours: 10 am–6 pm
+14077571700
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Ocala, Florida
Near the end, short detour
Oakland Park, Florida
Around the midpoint, short detour
Ocala, Florida
Hours: 6 am–6 pm
+13526298447
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 553 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto CR 2315 / North Star Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit onto Florida's Turnpike toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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
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
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
$84.09 one way
$168.18 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $92.27 | $184.54 |
| premium | $4.55 | $99.51 | $199.02 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $104.89 | $209.78 |
Estimated Tolls: $16.84
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
$84
Tolls
$17
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$231–$341
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 194.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $58 in charging · 2 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 166.7 | 2 | $58.33 | $26.66 |
| Efficient EV | 138.9 | 1 | $48.61 | $22.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 222.2 | 2 | $77.77 | $35.55 |
Gas CO2
194 kg
EV CO2
65 kg (66% less)
Plan for 2 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Callaway on Saturday
Local time
9:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Sunny
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 16 at 11:29AM EDT until July 17 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 16 at 6:52AM EDT until July 16 at 7:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Destination
Night in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday
Local time
10:10 PM
EDT
Current temp
95°F
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 16 at 11:29AM EDT until July 17 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 16 at 6:52AM EDT until July 16 at 7:00PM EDT by NWS Miami 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
Time zone
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
You'll spend 97% of your time on highways, covering 240.6 miles on Florida's Turnpike without interruption. The drive is characterized by long stretches of consistent speed, with the transition to surface roads occurring towards the end of your trip. Expect a high volume of exits and potential for urban merging as you approach your destination.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and I 10. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near CR 2315 / North Star Avenue.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 555.5 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 0.2 miles (CR 2315 / North Star Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 301.8 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 542.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
257 ft
Total Descent
288 ft
Highest Point
231 ft
~79.6 mi in
Elevation Range
229 ft
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Callaway, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike South and Orlando.
Florida's Turnpike South
Orlando
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).
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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