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
.
Main Roads
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
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 240.2 mi, about 4h 19m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 19 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 Citrus Springs, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL.
1
Start on North Greco Terrace
484 ft·22 sec·North Greco Terrace
2
Turn right onto North Citrus Springs Boulevard
1.5 mi·3 min·North Citrus Springs Boulevard
3
Turn right onto US 41
14 mi·21 min·Florida Avenue
4
Turn left onto US 41; FL 44
1.0 mi·2 min·Main Street
5
Turn left onto FL 44
15 mi·20 min·Gulf to Lake Highway
6
Take the ramp
0.7 mi·1 min
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward Florida's Turnpike South, OrlandoUse the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
240 mi·4 hr 19 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 67Toward Coconut Creek Parkway, Martin Luther King BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
251 ft·15 sec
Toward East Martin Luther King Boulevard, Atlantic Boulevard
11
Turn left onto Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
1.4 mi·2 min·Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
12
Turn left onto Northwest 16th Avenue
0.1 mi·25 sec·Northwest 16th Avenue
13
Turn right onto North Andrews Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·North Andrews Avenue
14
Turn left onto SR 814
497 ft·16 sec·West Atlantic Boulevard
Use the left lane.
15
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·58 sec
Toward I 95 South: Miami
16
Merge onto I 95
7.2 mi·8 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 27Toward SR 842: Broward Boulevard, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn left onto SR 842
1.8 mi·3 min·West Broward Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on SR 842
0.2 mi·35 sec·East Broward Boulevard
Use the left lane.
20
Arrive at destination
SR 842
Trip Plan
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 143.2 miles from Citrus Springs, FL, or about 2h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 240.2 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 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.
Before You Leave
+
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.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Citrus Springs, 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 240.2 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 32.5 and 283.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
32.5 mi into trip|~50m in
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
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando
5
33.1 mi into trip|~51m in|Florida's Turnpike
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8
273.3 mi into trip|~5h 10m 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
274 mi into trip|~5h 12m 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
283.9 mi into trip|~5h 26m 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
$43.35 one way
$86.71 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg100 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$47.57
$95.14
premium
$4.55
$51.30
$102.61
diesel
$4.80
$54.08
$108.16
Estimated Tolls: $16.82
Florida's Turnpike
(240.2 mi)$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
$43
Tolls
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
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, 2026-07-13.
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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Citrus Springs, FL
Evening
in Citrus Springs on Sunday
Local time
5:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Partly Cloudy
SSE 2 mph14% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 8:13PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 17 at 8:07PM EDT until July 17 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Destination
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Evening
in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday
Local time
5:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
S 3 to 9 mph17% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 8:13PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 17 at 8:07PM EDT until July 17 at 9:00PM 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
8 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 31m 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 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.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 240.2 mi on Florida's Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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.
Driving Effort7/10
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 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
148 ft2 ft
Total Climb
119 ft
Total Descent
214 ft
Highest Point
148 ft
~61.4 mi in
Elevation Range
146 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
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.
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 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 240.2 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $16.82 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 18 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 18 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.1 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.
