Coral Springs to Lake Butler is 205.2 miles and takes about 3 hours 56 minutes via Florida's Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, moving from the southern part of the state north towards the center. Most of the drive is on major highways, making it a straightforward and efficient option for a single-day excursion. Given the relatively short duration and highway focus, it's a practical choice if you need to get from the Miami metro area up towards Gainesville or Orlando without extensive planning.
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
102.6 miles from Coral Springs, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
187.4 mi
3h 23m
Sawgrass Expressway
3.7 mi
4m
Conroy Windermere Road
2.2 mi
4m
East 6th Avenue
1.5 mi
3m
Kirkman Road
1.2 mi
1m
Coral Springs Drive
1 mi
2m
Conroy Road
1 mi
1m
North University Drive
1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 187.4 mi, about 3h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Coral Springs, FL and Lake Butler, FL.
1
Start on this road
0.1 mi·47 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto West Sample Road
0.2 mi·27 sec·West Sample Road
3
Turn left onto Coral Springs Drive
1.0 mi·2 min·Coral Springs Drive
Use the left lane.
4
Turn right onto Wiles Road
1.0 mi·1 min·Wiles Road
5
Turn left onto North University Drive
1.0 mi·2 min·North University Drive
Use the right lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward SR 869 Toll North: OrlandoUse the right lane.
7
Merge onto SR 869 Toll
3.7 mi·4 min·Sawgrass Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.6 mi·53 sec
Exit 21A-BToward Florida's TurnpikeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 21BToward Florida's Turnpike Toll North, OrlandoUse the right lane.
11
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
187 mi·3 hr 23 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·54 sec
Exit 259Toward I 4: Orlando, TampaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 4 West: Tampa
14
Merge onto I 4
0.5 mi·34 sec·I 4
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 75B-AToward FL 435: Kirkman Road, International DriveUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 75AToward FL 435 North: Kirkman RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn straight onto FL 435
1.2 mi·1 min·Kirkman Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn left onto Conroy Road
1.0 mi·1 min·Conroy Road
Use the left lane.
19
Continue on Conroy Windermere Road
2.2 mi·4 min·Conroy Windermere Road
20
Continue on East 6th Avenue
1.5 mi·3 min·East 6th Avenue
21
Enter roundabout onto Main Street
30 ft·1 sec·Main Street
22
Continue on Main Street
398 ft·8 sec·Main Street
23
Enter roundabout onto Main Street
92 ft·1 sec·Main Street
24
Continue on Main Street
0.3 mi·31 sec·Main Street
25
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·2nd Avenue
26
Turn right onto Pine Street
436 ft·19 sec·Pine Street
27
Continue on Pine Street
194 ft·10 sec·Pine Street
28
Turn right
0.1 mi·39 sec
29
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 3 hour 56 minute drive, leaving Coral Springs in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. With only one recommended stop and a 205.2-mile distance, you can easily complete this trip in a single day without feeling rushed. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you'll spend the bulk of the 187.4 miles on the Florida's Turnpike, where services can be spread out. Consider topping off your tank before you get too far north on the turnpike to ensure you have plenty of range before reaching Lake Butler.
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 102.6 miles from Coral Springs, FL, or about 1h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 187.4 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 45 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.6 miles or 1h 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lake Butler, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Coral 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 Coral Springs, FL
This is one driving day of about 205.2 miles and 3h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Coral 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 187.4 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 7.5 and 198.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
7.5 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the exit toward Florida's Turnpike
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 21A-B
Toward Florida's Turnpike
9
8.5 mi into trip|~13m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Florida's Turnpike Toll North, Orlando
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 21B
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll North, Orlando
8
196.5 mi into trip|~3h 38m in
Take the exit toward I 4: Orlando, Tampa
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 259
Toward I 4: Orlando, Tampa
8
198 mi into trip|~3h 40m in
Take the exit toward FL 435: Kirkman Road, International Drive
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 75B-A
Toward FL 435: Kirkman Road, International Driv...
8
198.2 mi into trip|~3h 41m in
Keep slight right at fork toward FL 435 North: Kirkman Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 75A
Toward FL 435 North: Kirkman Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.06 one way
$62.13 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$34.08
$68.17
premium
$4.55
$36.76
$73.52
diesel
$4.80
$38.75
$77.49
Estimated Tolls: $13.42
Florida's Turnpike
(187.4 mi)$13.12
Sawgrass Expressway
(3.7 mi)$0.30
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: 71.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61.6
0
$21.55
$9.85
Efficient EV
51.3
0
$17.96
$8.21
EV Truck/SUV
82.1
1
$28.73
$13.13
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Coral Springs, FL
Morning
in Coral Springs on Sunday
Local time
7:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
95°F
Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
SW 3 to 9 mph57% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 17 at 3:45AM EDT until July 18 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 2:50AM EDT until July 17 at 7:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Destination
Lake Butler, FL
Morning
in Lake Butler on Sunday
Local time
7:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
93°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WNW 0 to 5 mph74% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 17 at 3:45AM EDT until July 18 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 2:50AM EDT until July 17 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.
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
2 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
3h 56m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 to spend about 93% of your time on highways, covering a significant 187.4 miles on Florida's Turnpike. This means you'll encounter a consistent cruising speed for the majority of the trip. The transition to surface roads will occur as you approach your destination in Lake Butler, where you'll likely notice more frequent intersections and a change in speed limits. The extensive highway portion suggests a smooth, albeit potentially less varied, driving experience for most of the 205.2 miles.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 187.4 mi on Florida's Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and Sawgrass Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.5 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 23 significant decision points across 205.2 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 7.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 196.5 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
106 ft11 ft
Total Climb
109 ft
Total Descent
15 ft
Highest Point
106 ft
~190.6 mi in
Elevation Range
96 ft
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 56m. Total distance: 205.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 187.4 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $13.42 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 13 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 Lake Butler, 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 13 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 7.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 196.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Lake Butler, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
