Origin
Crescent City, FL
Morning in Crescent City on Sunday
Local time
6:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Crescent City, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 18m
Distance
271.2 mi
437 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$43
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 5m
★
6 AM
5h 19m
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.
Crescent City, FL
Connor Scott McManus
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Crescent City, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL is 271.2 miles and takes about 5h 18m via I 95 and Florida's Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, highway-focused drive entirely within Florida, connecting two points in the Sunshine State. Expect a consistent pace for most of the journey, making it a practical option for a single-day trip. The route is well-suited for those prioritizing direct travel with minimal complexity.
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
135.6 miles from Crescent City, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 42m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 126.5 mi | 2h 16m |
| Florida's Turnpike | 84.9 mi | 1h 32m |
| South Summit Street | 12.1 mi | 16m |
| Center Street | 11.6 mi | 15m |
| East New York Avenue | 9.8 mi | 13m |
| State Road 44 | 8.3 mi | 9m |
| North US Highway 17 | 7.5 mi | 11m |
| West Broward Boulevard | 1.8 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 126.5 mi, about 2h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Crescent City, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL.
1
Start on Central Avenue
74 ft
·
7 sec
·
Central Avenue
2
Turn right onto US 17
12 mi
·
16 min
·
South Summit Street
3
Continue on US 17
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Center Street
4
Enter roundabout onto US 17
117 ft
·
1 sec
·
North US Highway 17
5
Continue on US 17
7.5 mi
·
11 min
·
North US Highway 17
Use the left lane.
6
Turn left onto East Plymouth Avenue
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
East Plymouth Avenue
7
Continue on Blue Lake Avenue
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Blue Lake Avenue
8
Turn left onto FL 44
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East New York Avenue
9
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 44
194 ft
·
4 sec
·
East New York Avenue
10
Continue on FL 44
125 ft
·
4 sec
·
East New York Avenue
11
Keep slight right at fork onto FL 44
8.8 mi
·
11 min
·
East New York Avenue
12
Continue on FL 44
8.3 mi
·
9 min
·
State Road 44
13
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Toward I 95 South: Miami
14
Merge onto I 95
119 mi
·
2 hr 7 min
·
I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
Exit 129
Toward FL 70: Okeechobee, Fort Pierce
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork
492 ft
·
12 sec
Toward FL 70 West: Okeechobee
Use the right lane.
17
Merge onto FL 70
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
Okeechobee Road
18
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
Use the left / uturn lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike South
Use the left lane.
20
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
85 mi
·
1 hr 32 min
·
Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 67
Toward Coconut Creek Parkway, Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
22
Keep slight left at fork
251 ft
·
15 sec
Toward East Martin Luther King Boulevard, Atlantic Boulevard
23
Turn left onto Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
24
Turn left onto Northwest 16th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
Northwest 16th Avenue
25
Turn right onto North Andrews Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Andrews Avenue
26
Turn left onto SR 814
497 ft
·
16 sec
·
West Atlantic Boulevard
Use the left lane.
27
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
58 sec
Toward I 95 South: Miami
28
Merge onto I 95
7.2 mi
·
8 min
·
I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 27
Toward SR 842: Broward Boulevard, Downtown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Turn left onto SR 842
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
West Broward Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
31
Continue on SR 842
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
East Broward Boulevard
Use the left lane.
32
Arrive at destination
SR 842
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 18m estimated drive time, departing in the morning is your best bet to ensure you arrive with ample daylight. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $43, you can plan your stops strategically. Consider a break around the halfway mark to stretch your legs. The longest uninterrupted stretch of 126.5 miles on I 95 means you'll want to ensure you're fueled up before entering that segment, as opportunities for services might be less frequent.
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 135.6 miles from Crescent City, FL, or about 2h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 126.5 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 60 miles or 1h 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 135.6 miles or 2h 42m 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 18m
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 Crescent City, 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 Crescent City, FL
This is one driving day of about 271.2 miles and 5h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Crescent City, 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 I 95 for about 126.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
136 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 60 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 135.6 miles from Crescent City, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 126.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 255 decision points cluster between mile 171.6 and 268.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
171.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 20m in
Take the exit toward FL 70: Okeechobee, Fort Pierce
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 129
Toward FL 70: Okeechobee, Fort Pierce
7
172.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 21m in
Keep slight right at fork toward FL 70 West: Okeechobee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward FL 70 West: Okeechobee
8
172.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 23m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike South
8
258.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 57m 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...
8
268.8 mi into trip
|
~5h 12m 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
$43.17 one way
$86.34 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
95 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $46.96 | $93.92 |
| premium | $4.72 | $50.43 | $100.86 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $59.88 | $119.76 |
Estimated Tolls: $5.94
Florida's Turnpike
(84.9 mi)
$5.94
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
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 81.4 | 1 | $28.48 | $13.02 |
| Efficient EV | 67.8 | 0 | $23.73 | $10.85 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 108.5 | 1 | $37.97 | $17.36 |
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 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.
Destination
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Morning in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday
Local time
6:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Mostly Sunny
E 7 to 10 mph
4% chance
Live forecast
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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
23 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 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Canaveral National Seashore
National Seashore
Discover a dynamic barrier island shaped by dunes, coastal hammocks, and Mosquito Lagoon. Walk among ancient Timucua shell mounds and connect with thousands of years of human history. Immerse yourself...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
$25
near mile 74.8
Caution: Pavement Project- Playalinda District
Park Closure: Limited Access to Apollo District Parking Lots 2 and 3
Fort Matanzas National Monument
National Monument
Fort Matanzas National Monument preserves the fortified coquina watchtower, completed in 1742, which defended the southern approach to the Spanish military settlement of St. Augustine. It also protect...
26 mi from route
~64 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 81% of the journey on major roadways like I 95 and Florida's Turnpike. You'll experience long stretches of consistent driving, including one segment of 126.5 miles on I 95 without significant interruptions. The character of the road is largely that of a high-speed interstate, designed for efficient travel. While the majority is highway, the final approach into Fort Lauderdale may involve navigating more localized roads like South Summit Street.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 126.5 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Florida's Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 171.6 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 25 significant decision points across 271.2 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 171.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 172.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 172.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Crescent City, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL, road signs point toward Fort Pierce, Miami and Florida's Turnpike South.
Fort Pierce
171.6 mi in
|
~3h 20m
Miami
172.9 mi in
|
~3h 23m
Florida's Turnpike South
172.9 mi in
|
~3h 23m
About the Cities
Arriving in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Full guide →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).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 18m. Total distance: 271.2 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 (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 126.5 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $5.94 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 171.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 172.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 172.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Canaveral National Seashore and Fort Matanzas National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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