This 246.5-mile drive from De Leon Springs, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL will take you about 4 hours and 44 minutes, making it a very manageable one-day trip. You'll primarily be on I 95 and Florida's Turnpike, with a brief section on East New York Avenue. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $39. Given its highway-focused profile, this route is straightforward and efficient for getting from one point in Florida to another. It's a classic Florida road trip, perfect for a single day of travel without the need for 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
123.2 miles from De Leon Springs, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 21m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
126.5 mi
2h 16m
Florida's Turnpike
84.9 mi
1h 32m
East New York Avenue
9.8 mi
13m
State Road 44
8.3 mi
9m
North US Highway 17
6.4 mi
9m
West Broward Boulevard
1.8 mi
3m
East Plymouth Avenue
1.4 mi
2m
Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 126.5 mi, about 2h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between De Leon Springs, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL.
1
Start on Wheeler Street
318 ft·15 sec·Wheeler Street
2
Turn right onto US 17
6.4 mi·9 min·North US Highway 17
Use the left lane.
3
Turn left onto East Plymouth Avenue
1.4 mi·2 min·East Plymouth Avenue
4
Continue on Blue Lake Avenue
1.2 mi·2 min·Blue Lake Avenue
5
Turn left onto FL 44
0.9 mi·1 min·East New York Avenue
6
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 44
194 ft·4 sec·East New York Avenue
7
Continue on FL 44
125 ft·4 sec·East New York Avenue
8
Keep slight right at fork onto FL 44
8.8 mi·11 min·East New York Avenue
9
Continue on FL 44
8.3 mi·9 min·State Road 44
10
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·54 sec
Toward I 95 South: Miami
11
Merge onto I 95
119 mi·2 hr 7 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
Exit 129Toward FL 70: Okeechobee, Fort PierceUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
492 ft·12 sec
Toward FL 70 West: OkeechobeeUse the right lane.
14
Merge onto FL 70
0.5 mi·57 sec·Okeechobee Road
15
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·35 sec
Use the left / uturn lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike SouthUse the left lane.
17
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
85 mi·1 hr 32 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 67Toward Coconut Creek Parkway, Martin Luther King BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork
251 ft·15 sec
Toward East Martin Luther King Boulevard, Atlantic Boulevard
20
Turn left onto Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
1.4 mi·2 min·Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
21
Turn left onto Northwest 16th Avenue
0.1 mi·25 sec·Northwest 16th Avenue
22
Turn right onto North Andrews Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·North Andrews Avenue
23
Turn left onto SR 814
497 ft·16 sec·West Atlantic Boulevard
Use the left lane.
24
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·58 sec
Toward I 95 South: Miami
25
Merge onto I 95
7.2 mi·8 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 27Toward SR 842: Broward Boulevard, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Turn left onto SR 842
1.8 mi·3 min·West Broward Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
28
Continue on SR 842
0.2 mi·35 sec·East Broward Boulevard
Use the left lane.
29
Arrive at destination
SR 842
Trip Plan
With a duration of under 5 hours, this drive is best tackled in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to take advantage of lighter traffic, especially as you approach the Fort Lauderdale area. Plan for one stop to break up the 126.5-mile stretch on I 95; there are ample service areas along the Florida's Turnpike. The $39 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always keep an eye on your gauge, particularly during the longest highway segment. Consider downloading offline maps in case of spotty service on the Turnpike.
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 123.2 miles from De Leon Springs, FL, or about 2h 21m 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 54 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123.2 miles or 2h 21m 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 48m
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 De Leon 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 De Leon Springs, FL
This is one driving day of about 246.5 miles and 4h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from De Leon 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 I 95 for about 126.5 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 146.8 and 244 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
146.8 mi into trip|~2h 46m 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
147.3 mi into trip|~2h 47m 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
148.1 mi into trip|~2h 49m 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
233.4 mi into trip|~4h 23m 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
244 mi into trip|~4h 38m 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
$39.24 one way
$78.47 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg86 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$42.68
$85.36
premium
$4.72
$45.84
$91.67
diesel
$5.61
$54.42
$108.85
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
$39
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74
0
$25.88
$11.83
Efficient EV
61.6
0
$21.57
$9.86
EV Truck/SUV
98.6
1
$34.51
$15.78
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 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 16, 2026
Origin
De Leon Springs, FL
Afternoon
in De Leon Springs on Sunday
Local time
12:14 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Afternoon
in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday
Local time
12:14 PM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Mostly Sunny
E 7 to 10 mph4% chanceLive 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
21 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
4h 44m 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...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
$25
near mile 42.5
Caution: Pavement Project- Playalinda District
Park Closure: Limited Access to Apollo District Parking Lots 2 and 3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect an 88% highway-focused experience on this route, designed for efficient travel. The majority of your time will be spent on major arteries like I 95 and Florida's Turnpike. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of driving for 126.5 miles on I 95, so be prepared for extended periods on the interstate. While primarily a high-speed drive, there's a short segment on East New York Avenue that offers a slight change of pace before you rejoin the main highways.
88% 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: 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 146.8 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 246.5 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 146.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 147.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 148.1 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.
Between De Leon Springs, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL, road signs point toward Fort Pierce, Miami and Florida's Turnpike South.
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).
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 44m. Total distance: 246.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). 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 146.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 147.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 148.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Canaveral National Seashore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Fort Lauderdale, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
