Holy Grain Coffee Shop
Early in the drive, short detour
Orlando, Florida
Hours: 8 am–5 pm
+14077045878
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 31m
Distance
286.4 mi
461 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$46
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.
Citrus Springs, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Wikimedia Commons
This 286.4-mile journey from Citrus Springs, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL will take approximately 5 hours and 31 minutes of driving time. It's designed as a single-day trip, so you can comfortably complete it without needing an overnight stop. The route is primarily focused on highway travel, with 86% of the drive on main roads like Florida's Turnpike, Gulf to Lake Highway, and Florida Avenue. With an estimated fuel cost of $46, this drive offers a straightforward and efficient way to get from one part of Florida to another. You'll experience a consistent driving feel for most of the trip.
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
143.2 miles from Citrus Springs, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 50m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Florida's Turnpike | 240.2 mi | 4h 19m |
| Gulf to Lake Highway | 15 mi | 20m |
| Florida Avenue | 14.3 mi | 21m |
| I 95 | 7.2 mi | 8m |
| West Broward Boulevard | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| North Citrus Springs Boulevard | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Main Street | 1 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Citrus Springs, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Start on North Greco Terrace
Turn right onto North Citrus Springs Boulevard
Turn right onto US 41
Turn left onto US 41; FL 44
Turn left onto FL 44
Take the ramp
Keep slight right at fork
Merge 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
To make the most of this 5-hour and 31-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Citrus Springs to avoid potential afternoon traffic as you approach Fort Lauderdale. With a longest stretch of 240.2 miles, you'll want to plan for at least one substantial stop for fuel and a break. Given the significant highway share, keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is advisable, especially as the estimated fuel cost is $46. The single-day nature of this trip means you have flexibility, but breaking it up is generally not necessary unless you prefer a more leisurely pace.
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.
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 63 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 143.2 miles or 2h 50m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fort Lauderdale, FL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Citrus Springs, 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 Citrus Springs, FL
This is one driving day of about 286.4 miles and 5h 31m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
143 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.
A short stop after about 63 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 143.2 miles from Citrus Springs, 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 240.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Orlando, Florida
Early in the drive, short detour
Hours: 8 am–5 pm
+14077045878
Top Coffee Stop
Orlando, Florida
Early in the drive, short detour
Hours: 8 am–12 pm
+14079894499
Early in the drive, short detour
Orlando, Florida
Hours: 8 am–5 pm
+14077045878
Visit websiteNear the start, ~9 min detour
Inverness, Florida
Hours: 10:30 am–3 pm
+13524194033
Near the start, ~9 min detour
Inverness, Florida
Hours: 7 am–4 pm
+13527267060
Visit websiteNear the start, ~9 min detour
Inverness, Florida
Hours: 6 am–2 pm
+13524197942
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Inverness, Florida
Hours: 7:30 am–3 pm
+13524194911
Visit websiteNear the start, ~10 min detour
Dunnellon, Florida
Hours: 6 am–8 pm
+13527634014
Visit websiteNear the start, ~11 min detour
Beverly Hills, Florida
Hours: 7 am–3 pm
+13522497677
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Orlando, Florida
Hours: 8 am–12 pm
+14079894499
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Sumterville, Florida
Hours: 7 am–7 pm
+13525694075
Visit websiteNear the start, ~9 min detour
Inverness, Florida
Hours: 12–9 pm
+13524231112
Visit websiteNear the start, ~9 min detour
Dunnellon, Florida
Hours: 10 am–3 pm
+13522162510
Near the start, ~9 min detour
Dunnellon, Florida
Hours: 6:30 am–3:30 pm
+13527634020
Early in the drive, ~11 min detour
Clermont, Florida
Hours: 7:30 am–5:30 pm
Near the start, ~11 min detour
Dunnellon, Florida
Hours: 7 am–5 pm
+13529663226
Visit websiteNear the start, ~11 min detour
Inverness, Florida
Hours: 7 am–3 pm
+13524194329
Near the start, right off the route
Wildwood, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Minneola, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18889982546
Visit websiteNear the start, ~9 min detour
Dunnellon, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18668167584
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, ~11 min detour
Clermont, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
Early in the drive, short detour
Minneola, Florida
Near the start, ~12 min detour
Wildwood, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887518560
Visit websiteNear the start, ~9 min detour
Inverness, Florida
Early in the drive, ~10 min detour
Clermont, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
Early in the drive, right off the route
Orlando, Florida
Hours: 12–9 pm
+13217541700
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Jupiter, Florida
Hours: 7 am–7 pm
+15617411359
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, right off the route
Orlando, Florida
Hours: 2 pm–12 am
+14073633867
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Orlando, Florida
+14073638000
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Hours: 6 am–9 pm
+19548285411
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Jupiter, Florida
Hours: 7 am–7 pm
+15617412400
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Oakland Park, Florida
Near the end, ~10 min detour
Wellington, Florida
Hours: 8 am–8 pm
+15617914005
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 32.5 and 283.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight right at fork toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
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
$45.59 one way
$91.17 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $49.59 | $99.18 |
| premium | $4.72 | $53.25 | $106.51 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $63.23 | $126.47 |
Estimated Tolls: $16.82
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
$46
Tolls
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$87–$112
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 85.9 | 1 | $30.07 | $13.75 |
| Efficient EV | 71.6 | 0 | $25.06 | $11.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 114.6 | 1 | $40.10 | $18.33 |
Gas CO2
100 kg
EV CO2
34 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Citrus Springs on Sunday
Local time
6:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Destination
Morning in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday
Local time
6:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Mostly Sunny
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 16 at 3:40AM EDT until April 17 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 16 at 3:00AM EDT until April 17 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 286.4-mile trip, with 86% of the mileage on main roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 240.2 miles on Florida's Turnpike, indicating long periods of consistent speed. While the route is largely on major arteries, it's not exclusively a monotonous interstate experience. You'll navigate through Florida's Turnpike, Gulf to Lake Highway, and Florida Avenue, which should offer some variation in scenery and traffic patterns as you progress south.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and Gulf to Lake Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 32.5 miles in.
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 286.4 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 32.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 33.1 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 273.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Citrus Springs, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike South and Orlando.
Florida's Turnpike South
Orlando
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).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 31m. Total distance: 286.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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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