West Palm Beach Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Trip from East Palatka, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 27m
Distance
284.2 mi
457 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$45
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 14m
★
6 AM
5h 27m
8 AM
5h 54m
10 AM
5h 37m
12 PM
5h 34m
3 PM
5h 38m
5 PM
5h 53m
8 PM
5h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
East Palatka, FL
DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
East Palatka to Fort Lauderdale is 284.2 miles and takes about 5h 27m via I 95 and Florida's Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Florida, moving from a more northern region down towards South Florida. It's a pretty straightforward trip, mostly on major highways, making it a solid choice for a single-day journey. You'll be on the road for over five hours, so plan accordingly for comfort and any necessary breaks.
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
142.1 miles from East Palatka, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 43m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 151.4 mi | 2h 43m |
| Florida's Turnpike | 84.9 mi | 1h 32m |
| FL 100 | 23.8 mi | 30m |
| US Highway 1 | 6.3 mi | 7m |
| State Street | 6 mi | 8m |
| US 17 | 3 mi | 4m |
| West Broward Boulevard | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard | 1.4 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 151.4 mi, about 2h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East Palatka, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL.
1
Start on Louis Broer Road West
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
Louis Broer Road West
2
Turn right onto FL 207
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
FL 207
3
Turn left onto US 17; FL 100
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
US 17; FL 100
4
Turn left onto FL 100
24 mi
·
30 min
·
FL 100
5
Turn left onto US 1; FL 100
6.0 mi
·
8 min
·
State Street
6
Enter roundabout onto US 1
115 ft
·
2 sec
·
US Highway 1
7
Continue on US 1
6.3 mi
·
7 min
·
US Highway 1
Use the left lane.
8
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward I 95 South: Miami
9
Merge onto I 95
144 mi
·
2 hr 35 min
·
I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
Exit 129
Toward FL 70: Okeechobee, Fort Pierce
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
492 ft
·
12 sec
Toward FL 70 West: Okeechobee
Use the right lane.
12
Merge onto FL 70
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
Okeechobee Road
13
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
Use the left / uturn lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike South
Use the left lane.
15
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
85 mi
·
1 hr 32 min
·
Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 67
Toward Coconut Creek Parkway, Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork
251 ft
·
15 sec
Toward East Martin Luther King Boulevard, Atlantic Boulevard
18
Turn left onto Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
19
Turn left onto Northwest 16th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
Northwest 16th Avenue
20
Turn right onto North Andrews Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Andrews Avenue
21
Turn left onto SR 814
497 ft
·
16 sec
·
West Atlantic Boulevard
Use the left lane.
22
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
58 sec
Toward I 95 South: Miami
23
Merge onto I 95
7.2 mi
·
8 min
·
I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 27
Toward SR 842: Broward Boulevard, Downtown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Turn left onto SR 842
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
West Broward Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
26
Continue on SR 842
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
East Broward Boulevard
Use the left lane.
27
Arrive at destination
SR 842
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour duration, leaving in the morning is your best bet to arrive with plenty of daylight. The longest stretch without a major exit is over 150 miles, so ensure you have enough fuel before starting that segment. While this is a single-day drive, consider a brief stop midway to stretch your legs. The $45 fuel cost is an estimate, so monitor your gauge, especially during the 151.4-mile stretch on I 95. Flexibility is key since you can easily complete this in one day.
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 142.1 miles from East Palatka, FL, or about 2h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 151.4 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 63 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 142.1 miles or 2h 43m 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 24m
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 Palatka, 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 Palatka, FL
This is one driving day of about 284.2 miles and 5h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from East Palatka, 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 151.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
142 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 63 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 142.1 miles from East Palatka, 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 151.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
ONE9 Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
40392
0.1 mi from route
40391
0.1 mi from route
50341
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Port Saint Lucie - Fort Pierce Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
50382
0.2 mi from route
50342
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.4 mi from route
50381
0.7 mi from route
Pompano Service Plaza
1.7 mi from route
Riverbend Park
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
1.3 mi from route
~3 min detour
Jupiter, Florida
Hours: 7 am–7 pm
+15617411359
Visit websiteJoseph C. Carter Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.6 mi from route
~4 min detour
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Hours: 6 am–9 pm
+19548285411
Visit websiteIndian Creek Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Jupiter, Florida
Hours: 7 am–7 pm
+15617412400
Visit websiteBoathouse Riverfront Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
2.1 mi from route
~5 min detour
Palatka, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+13863853662
Visit websiteWreck It Ft Laudy
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Oakland Park, Florida
Project P.L.A.Y. Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~9 min detour
3.5 mi from route
~9 min detour
Palatka, Florida
Hours: 7 am–8 pm
Bulow Creek State Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~10 min detour
First break
3.8 mi from route
~10 min detour
Ormond Beach, Florida
+13866764050
Visit websitePeaceful Waters Sanctuary
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~9 min detour
Home stretch
3.7 mi from route
~9 min detour
Wellington, Florida
Hours: 8 am–8 pm
+15617914005
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 225 decision points cluster between mile 184.5 and 281.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
184.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 29m 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
185 mi into trip
|
~3h 30m 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
185.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 32m 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
271.1 mi into trip
|
~5h 5m 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
281.7 mi into trip
|
~5h 21m 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
$45.24 one way
$90.47 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
99 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $49.21 | $98.42 |
| premium | $4.72 | $52.85 | $105.69 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $62.75 | $125.50 |
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
$45
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 99.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 85.3 | 1 | $29.84 | $13.64 |
| Efficient EV | 71.1 | 0 | $24.87 | $11.37 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 113.7 | 1 | $39.79 | $18.19 |
Gas CO2
99 kg
EV CO2
33 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.
Origin
East Palatka, FL
Morning in East Palatka on Tuesday
Local time
9:54 AM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Morning in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday
Local time
9:54 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Partly Cloudy
SE 3 to 8 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Fire Weather Watch
Fire Weather Watch issued April 18 at 2:06PM EDT until April 20 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Fire Weather Watch
Fire Weather Watch issued April 18 at 2:06PM EDT until April 20 at 8:00PM 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
16 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
5h 27m 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 78.4
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...
18 mi from route
~45 min detour
Free
near mile 29.4
View on nps.gov
Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
National Monument
Built by the Spanish in St. Augustine to defend Florida and the Atlantic trade route, Castillo de San Marcos National Monument preserves the oldest masonry fortification in the continental United Stat...
24 mi from route
~60 min detour
$15
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 95% highway, so expect a lot of time on high-speed roads. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 151.4 miles on I 95. You'll transition to surface roads only for the final segment of the trip. Given the high highway percentage, be prepared for frequent exits and entrances as you navigate the major interstates.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 151.4 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 184.5 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 22 significant decision points across 284.2 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 184.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 185 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 185.8 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 East Palatka, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL, road signs point toward Fort Pierce, Miami and Florida's Turnpike South.
Fort Pierce
184.5 mi in
|
~3h 29m
Miami
185.8 mi in
|
~3h 32m
Florida's Turnpike South
185.8 mi in
|
~3h 32m
About the Cities
Arriving in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Full guide →Founded 1911
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
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 27m. Total distance: 284.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 151.4 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.
Yes — we found about 19 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 19 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 184.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 185 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 185.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Canaveral National Seashore, Fort Matanzas National Monument and Castillo de San Marcos National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 10.9 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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