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Trip from Cheval, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 18m

Distance

261.9 mi

422 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$42

one way

EV Charging

Fair

2 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 5m ★
6 AM
5h 18m
8 AM
5h 45m
10 AM
5h 28m
12 PM
5h 25m
3 PM
5h 29m
5 PM
5h 44m
8 PM
5h 10m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Cheval, FL, FL

Cheval, FL

Matt Fitz Gibaud

city ​​in Broward County, Florida, United States

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 261.9-mile drive from Cheval to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can comfortably be completed in about 5 hours and 18 minutes. With 89% of the route on highways, it's designed for efficient travel, making it an ideal day trip. The estimated fuel cost for this segment is around $42. You'll primarily be navigating Florida's Turnpike, FL 60, and I-4. Given its manageable length and highway profile, this route is best tackled in a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.

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

131 miles from Cheval, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 48m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Florida's Turnpike 125.3 mi 2h 15m
FL 60 61.7 mi 1h 19m
I 4 17.4 mi 18m
I 75 12.7 mi 13m
Polk Parkway 9.4 mi 10m
I 95 7.2 mi 8m
Bartow Road 6.9 mi 9m
State Road 54 4.4 mi 6m
Longest stretch: Florida's Turnpike — 125.3 mi, about 2h 15m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cheval, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL.

1

Start on Place Marquette

265 ft · 13 sec · Place Marquette
2

Turn right onto Biarritz Avenue

0.2 mi · 1 min · Biarritz Avenue
3

At end of road, turn left onto Cheval Boulevard

0.9 mi · 3 min · Cheval Boulevard
4

At end of road, turn right onto Cheval Boulevard

0.4 mi · 1 min · Cheval Boulevard
5

At end of road, turn left onto FL 597

3.7 mi · 5 min · North Dale Mabry Highway
Use the left lane.
6

Turn straight onto US 41

0.3 mi · 30 sec · Land O' Lakes Boulevard
7

Turn right onto FL 54

4.4 mi · 6 min · State Road 54
Use the straight / slight left / right lanes.
8

Continue on FL 56

0.4 mi · 38 sec · State Road 56
Use the left / straight lanes.
9

Continue on FL 56

0.1 mi · 8 sec · FL 56
Use the straight lane.
10

Turn slight right

0.2 mi · 13 sec
Toward I 75 South: Tampa, Saint Petersburg
11

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 45 sec
Toward I 75 South: Tampa, Saint Petersburg
12

Merge onto I 75

1.0 mi · 1 min · I 75
13

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75

12 mi · 12 min · I 75
Toward South I 75: Naples Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Take the exit

1.3 mi · 1 min
Exit 261 Toward I 4: Tampa, Orlando Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Keep slight left at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward I 4 East: Orlando Use the slight left lane.
16

Merge onto I 4

17 mi · 18 min · I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 55 sec
Exit 27 Toward FL 570 Toll East: Lakeland, Winter Haven Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Continue on FL 570 Toll

9.4 mi · 10 min · Polk Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 56 sec
Exit 10 Toward US 98: Lakeland, Bartow Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Turn right onto US 98

6.9 mi · 9 min · Bartow Road
Use the right lane.
21

Continue on US 98

0.6 mi · 1 min · Broadway Avenue
22

Turn left onto US 98; FL 60

0.5 mi · 1 min · Van Fleet Drive
Use the left lane.
23

Continue on FL 60

0.3 mi · 26 sec · FL 60
24

Continue on FL 60

11 mi · 13 min · FL 60
Use the straight lane.
25

Continue on FL 60

4.3 mi · 5 min · FL 60
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26

Continue on FL 60

46 mi · 59 min · FL 60
Use the left lane.
27

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 19 sec
Use the left lane.
28

Continue on this road

295 ft · 7 sec · this road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Toward Florida's Turnpike South: Miami Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30

Merge onto Florida's Turnpike

125 mi · 2 hr 15 min · Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 67 Toward Coconut Creek Parkway, Martin Luther King Boulevard Use the slight right lane.
32

Keep slight left at fork

251 ft · 15 sec
Toward East Martin Luther King Boulevard, Atlantic Boulevard
33

Turn left onto Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard

1.4 mi · 2 min · Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
34

Turn left onto Northwest 16th Avenue

0.1 mi · 25 sec · Northwest 16th Avenue
35

Turn right onto North Andrews Avenue

0.6 mi · 1 min · North Andrews Avenue
36

Turn left onto SR 814

497 ft · 16 sec · West Atlantic Boulevard
Use the left lane.
37

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 58 sec
Toward I 95 South: Miami
38

Merge onto I 95

7.2 mi · 8 min · I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 27 Toward SR 842: Broward Boulevard, Downtown Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40

Turn left onto SR 842

1.8 mi · 3 min · West Broward Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
41

Continue on SR 842

0.2 mi · 35 sec · East Broward Boulevard
Use the left lane.
42

Arrive at destination

SR 842

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 5-hour, 18-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to avoid potential afternoon traffic. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 125.3 miles on Florida's Turnpike, plan your restroom and refueling breaks strategically. The $42 fuel estimate is helpful for budgeting. Given that this is a single-day journey, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace as needed. Keep an eye on Florida's Turnpike for any electronic tolling requirements to ensure a smooth passage.

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 131 miles from Cheval, FL, or about 2h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 125.3 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 58 miles or 1h 15m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 131 miles or 2h 48m 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 19m

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 Cheval, 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 Cheval, FL

This is one driving day of about 261.9 miles and 5h 18m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Cheval, 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 125.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Polk County, Florida, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Eagle Lake, FL

131 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.

Popular next leg

Eagle Lake, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL

199.1 mi · 3h 57m

Pacing Suggestions

Lakeland, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 58 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Palm Bay, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 131 miles from Cheval, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Florida's Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 125.3 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best coffee break · first break window

The Muddy Root Kava Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tampa, Florida

Near the start, short detour

First break · 23min in 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–12 pm

+18132847491

Visit website

Lake Wales Latte Lounge Coffee and Bookshop

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lake Wales, Florida

2.2 mi

Socotra Yemeni Coffee & Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Temple Terrace, Florida

2.8 mi

The Muddy Root Kava Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 7 am–12 pm

+18132847491

Visit website

Lake Wales Latte Lounge Coffee and Bookshop

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Lake Wales, Florida

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+18632968827

Visit website

Socotra Yemeni Coffee & Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Temple Terrace, Florida

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+18137907444

Visit website

Elevation Coffee Roasters

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10

Greater Northdale, Florida

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Visit website

Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

First break 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Temple Terrace, Florida

Hours: 7 am–11 pm

+18132846137

Visit website

Felicitous (on 51st)

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

First break 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 7:30 am–7 pm

+18139812634

Visit website

Lunar Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

First break 3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10

Temple Terrace, Florida

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

Visit website

Urban Crunch Creamery Cafe - Bexley

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Land O' Lakes, Florida

Hours: 8 am–9 pm

+18136478618

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour

Land O' Lakes, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

Early stretch 4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour

Bartow, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

Joseph C. Carter Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+19548285411

Visit website

Wreck It Ft Laudy

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Oakland Park, Florida

Dinosaur World

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Plant City, Florida

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+18137179865

Visit website

New Tampa Recreational Center

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 10 am–7 pm

+18139752794

Visit website

Indian Creek Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

Final third 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour

Jupiter, Florida

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+15617412400

Visit website

Peaceful Waters Sanctuary

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 4 mi from route ~10 min detour

Wellington, Florida

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+15617914005

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 30

5 decision points cluster between mile 23.9 and 248.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
23.9 mi into trip | ~34m in

Take the exit toward I 4: Tampa, Orlando

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 261 Toward I 4: Tampa, Orlando
8
43.2 mi into trip | ~56m in

Take the exit toward FL 570 Toll East: Lakeland, Winter Haven

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 FL 570 Toll East: Lakeland, Winter Haven
8
53 mi into trip | ~1h 8m in

Take the exit toward US 98: Lakeland, Bartow

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 10 Toward US 98: Lakeland, Bartow
8
123.4 mi into trip | ~2h 40m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Florida's Turnpike South: Miami

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Florida's Turnpike South: Miami
8
248.9 mi into trip | ~4h 56m 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...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$41.69 one way

$83.37 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 92 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.40 $45.35 $90.70
premium $4.72 $48.70 $97.40
diesel $5.61 $57.82 $115.65

Estimated Tolls: $8.77

Florida's Turnpike (125.3 mi) $8.77

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

$42

Tolls

$9

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$75–$100

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 91.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 78.6 0 $27.50 $12.57
Efficient EV 65.5 0 $22.92 $10.48
EV Truck/SUV 104.8 1 $36.67 $16.76

Gas CO2

92 kg

EV CO2

31 kg (66% 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 Apr 20, 2026

Origin

Cheval, FL

Late night in Cheval on Tuesday

Local time

4:54 AM

EDT

Current temp

88°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Late night in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday

Local time

4:54 AM

EDT

Current temp

84°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

66°F

Eagle Lake, FL

131 mi in

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

4 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

5h 18m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this trip, with 89% of your travel occurring on major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 125.3 miles along Florida's Turnpike, offering a consistent pace. While the route is efficient, the character remains largely that of a steady highway drive, minimizing complex navigation. You'll experience the typical flow of traffic on these main arteries as you make your way across the state.

89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
42 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 125.3 mi on Florida's Turnpike.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and FL 60. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 23.9 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 30 significant decision points across 261.9 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 23.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 43.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 53 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Cheval, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL, road signs point toward Orlando, Winter Haven, Bartow and Florida's Turnpike South: Miami.

Orlando

23.9 mi in | ~34m

Winter Haven

43.2 mi in | ~56m

Bartow

53 mi in | ~1h 8m

Florida's Turnpike South: Miami

123.4 mi in | ~2h 40m

About the Cities

Arriving in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Full guide →

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

  • • 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

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 5h 18m. Total distance: 261.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 125.3 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $8.77 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 23.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 43.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 53 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 10.6 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.

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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