East Lake to Fort Lauderdale is 273 miles and takes about 5h 11m via I-75, I-275, and the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, connecting two points in the same state. With 88% of the drive on highways, expect a fairly direct route. It's a manageable one-day trip, making it easy to plan around your schedule. You'll want to be prepared for a significant amount of time on the interstate.
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
136.6 miles from East Lake, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
209.3 mi
3h 44m
I 275
14.9 mi
18m
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
13.4 mi
15m
Port Everglades Expressway
10.1 mi
11m
McMullen Booth Road
6.5 mi
10m
Gateway Expressway
4.3 mi
5m
East Lake Road
3.7 mi
5m
Dillinger McCabe Bayside Bridge
3.5 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 209.3 mi, about 3h 44m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 46 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,826 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,424
Quietest
2 AM
~185 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.3×
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 East Lake, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL.
1
Start on CR 611
3.7 mi·5 min·East Lake Road
2
Continue on CR 611
6.5 mi·10 min·McMullen Booth Road
Use the straight lane.
3
Turn straight onto CR 611
3.5 mi·4 min·Dillinger McCabe Bayside Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Keep slight right at fork onto FL 686A Toll
4.3 mi·5 min·Gateway Expressway
Use the slight right lane.
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·56 sec
Toward I 275 South: Saint PetersburgUse the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto I 275
14 mi·16 min·I 275
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·17 sec
8
Merge onto I 275; US 19
13 mi·15 min·Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 275
1.1 mi·2 min·I 275
Toward I 75 South: Naples
10
Merge onto I 75
28 mi·30 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
181 mi·3 hr 14 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 595
10 mi·11 min·Port Everglades Expressway
Exit 19Toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Springs, Fort LauderdaleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 9CToward SR 84 East: Marina Mile BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn straight onto SR 84
0.2 mi·18 sec·SR 84
Toward I 595 East, SR 84 East
15
Keep slight left at fork onto SR 84
2.0 mi·3 min·SR 84
Toward SR 84 East
16
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 84
1.6 mi·3 min·Marina Boulevard
Toward SR 84 East: Marina Mile BoulevardUse the right lane.
17
Turn left onto Southwest 4th Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Southwest 4th Avenue
Use the left lane.
18
Turn right onto Southwest 17th Street
0.3 mi·33 sec·Southwest 17th Street
19
Continue on Southeast 17th Street
0.1 mi·25 sec·Southeast 17th Street
20
Turn left onto Southeast 3rd Avenue
1.5 mi·3 min·Southeast 3rd Avenue
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn left onto SR 842
0.2 mi·35 sec·East Broward Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
22
Arrive at destination
SR 842
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour driving time, leaving East Lake in the morning is your best bet to arrive in Fort Lauderdale with plenty of daylight. This route is best tackled in a single day, so plan for one main stop for fuel and a break, perhaps around the halfway point. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is over 200 miles on I-75, so ensure you're comfortable with that duration of highway driving. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before entering longer stretches of interstate where 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 136.6 miles from East Lake, FL, or about 2h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 209.3 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 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 136.6 miles or 2h 37m 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 11m
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 East Lake, 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 East Lake, FL
This is one driving day of about 273.1 miles and 5h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from East Lake, 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 75 for about 209.3 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 13.7 and 268.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
13.7 mi into trip|~21m in|FL 686A Toll / Gateway Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto FL 686A Toll / Gateway Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
7
18 mi into trip|~26m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 275 South: Saint Petersburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 275 South: Saint Petersburg
9
256.4 mi into trip|~4h 46m in|I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 19
Toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Spr...
7
266.5 mi into trip|~4h 57m in
Take the exit toward SR 84 East: Marina Mile Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 9C
Toward SR 84 East: Marina Mile Boulevard
7
268.9 mi into trip|~5h 2m in|SR 84 / Marina Boulevard
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 84 / Marina Boulevard toward SR 84 East: Marina Mile Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward SR 84 East: Marina Mile Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.34 one way
$82.68 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg96 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$45.36
$90.73
premium
$4.55
$48.92
$97.84
diesel
$4.80
$51.57
$103.13
Estimated Tolls: $0.94
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
(13.4 mi)$0.94
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
$41
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
81.9
1
$28.68
$13.11
Efficient EV
68.3
0
$23.90
$10.92
EV Truck/SUV
109.2
1
$38.23
$17.48
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (67% 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
East Lake, FL
Afternoon
in East Lake on Sunday
Local time
3:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Partly Cloudy
ESE 2 mph11% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 12:14AM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 17 at 3:45AM EDT until July 18 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Destination
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Afternoon
in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday
Local time
3:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Partly Cloudy
S 6 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 12:14AM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 17 at 3:45AM EDT until July 18 at 4:00AM 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
4 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 11m 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.
De Soto National Memorial
National Memorial
In May 1539, Conquistador Hernando de Soto’s army of soldiers, hired mercenaries, craftsmen, and clergy made landfall in Tampa Bay. They were met with fierce resistance of indigenous people protecting...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 37.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 88% of the total 273 miles on major roads like I-75 and I-275. You'll experience a long stretch of 209.3 miles on I-75, which means extended periods of cruising. Expect a high density of exits and interchanges as you navigate through populated areas, particularly as you approach Fort Lauderdale.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 209.3 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and I 275. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 13.7 miles in near FL 686A Toll / Gateway Expressway.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 273.1 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 13.7 miles (FL 686A Toll / Gateway Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 18 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 256.4 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 11m. Total distance: 273.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 11m 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 209.3 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.94 in tolls one way, starting with Sunshine Skyway Bridge. 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 22 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 22 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 13.7 miles (FL 686A Toll / Gateway Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 18 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 256.4 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — De Soto National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.4 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.
