Traveling from Fish Hawk to Fort Lauderdale covers 227.6 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 42 minutes behind the wheel. Because this is a highway-focused journey, you can easily complete the trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $38 on fuel for the trek, which primarily utilizes Florida's Turnpike, FL 60, and Lithia Pinecrest Road. While the route remains within Florida, you are shifting from the inland, suburban feel of the Fish Hawk area toward the dense, coastal metropolitan environment of Fort Lauderdale. It is a straightforward commute that prioritizes speed and efficiency over scenic detours.
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
113.8 miles from Fish Hawk, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 32m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
125.3 mi
2h 15m
FL 60
61.5 mi
1h 18m
Lithia Pinecrest Road
9.3 mi
16m
I 95
7.2 mi
8m
Canal Street
6.7 mi
8m
Pinecrest Road
4.7 mi
8m
FL 37
3.1 mi
4m
West Broward Boulevard
1.8 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 125.3 mi, about 2h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fish Hawk, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL.
1
Start on Ternglade Drive
0.2 mi·39 sec·Ternglade Drive
2
Turn left onto Churchside Drive
269 ft·11 sec·Churchside Drive
3
Enter roundabout onto Fishhawk Crossing Boulevard
280 ft·15 sec·Fishhawk Crossing Boulevard
4
Continue on Fishhawk Crossing Boulevard
0.6 mi·1 min·Fishhawk Crossing Boulevard
5
Turn right onto Fishhawk Boulevard
0.7 mi·1 min·Fishhawk Boulevard
Use the right lane.
6
Turn right onto Lithia Pinecrest Road
9.3 mi·16 min·Lithia Pinecrest Road
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on CR 640
4.7 mi·8 min·Pinecrest Road
Use the straight lane.
8
Turn left onto FL 37
3.1 mi·4 min·FL 37
9
Turn right onto FL 60
6.7 mi·8 min·Canal Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Continue on FL 60
0.7 mi·1 min·FL 60
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn right onto Main Street
1.7 mi·3 min·Main Street
Use the right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto Flamingo Drive
0.5 mi·51 sec·Flamingo Drive
13
Turn right onto FL 60
10 mi·12 min·FL 60
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on FL 60
4.3 mi·5 min·FL 60
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on FL 60
46 mi·59 min·FL 60
Use the left lane.
16
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on this road
295 ft·7 sec·this road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward Florida's Turnpike South: MiamiUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
125 mi·2 hr 15 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 67Toward Coconut Creek Parkway, Martin Luther King BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
21
Keep slight left at fork
251 ft·15 sec
Toward East Martin Luther King Boulevard, Atlantic Boulevard
22
Turn left onto Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
1.4 mi·2 min·Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
23
Turn left onto Northwest 16th Avenue
0.1 mi·25 sec·Northwest 16th Avenue
24
Turn right onto North Andrews Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·North Andrews Avenue
25
Turn left onto SR 814
497 ft·16 sec·West Atlantic Boulevard
Use the left lane.
26
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·58 sec
Toward I 95 South: Miami
27
Merge onto I 95
7.2 mi·8 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 27Toward SR 842: Broward Boulevard, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Turn left onto SR 842
1.8 mi·3 min·West Broward Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
30
Continue on SR 842
0.2 mi·35 sec·East Broward Boulevard
Use the left lane.
31
Arrive at destination
SR 842
Trip Plan
To keep your drive manageable, aim to incorporate at least one planned stop during your 4-hour and 42-minute transit. Leaving early in the day is your best strategy for navigating the transition onto the Turnpike before peak traffic builds up. Since the route is highway-dominant, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before hitting the main arteries to avoid premium station pricing on the toll roads. Given the $38 fuel estimate, budgeting a little extra for potential toll fees is a smart move for your wallet. Flexibility is your greatest asset here, as the single-day nature of the trip allows you to adjust your departure time based on the specific traffic patterns of your travel 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 113.8 miles from Fish Hawk, FL, or about 2h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 125.3 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 50 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 113.8 miles or 2h 32m 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 51m
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 Fish Hawk, 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 Fish Hawk, FL
This is one driving day of about 227.6 miles and 4h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Fish Hawk, 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 125.3 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 225.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|Fishhawk Crossing Boulevard
Enter roundabout onto Fishhawk Crossing Boulevard
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
18.6 mi into trip|~33m in|FL 60 / Canal Street
Turn right onto FL 60 / Canal Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
89.1 mi into trip|~2h 5m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Florida's Turnpike South: Miami
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Florida's Turnpike South: Miami
8
214.6 mi into trip|~4h 21m 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
225.2 mi into trip|~4h 37m 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
$36.23 one way
$72.46 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg80 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$39.41
$78.82
premium
$4.72
$42.32
$84.64
diesel
$5.61
$50.25
$100.50
Estimated Tolls: $8.77
Florida's Turnpike
(125.3 mi)$8.77
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
$36
Tolls
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
68.3
0
$23.90
$10.92
Efficient EV
56.9
0
$19.92
$9.10
EV Truck/SUV
91
1
$31.86
$14.57
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 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 20, 2026
Origin
Fish Hawk, FL
Morning
in Fish Hawk on Tuesday
Local time
7:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Morning
in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday
Local time
7:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
19 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 42m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a high-speed experience, as 87% of this route takes place on major highways. You will begin on local roads like Lithia Pinecrest before transitioning onto the Turnpike for the bulk of your travel. The drive features a significant 125.3-mile stretch on Florida's Turnpike, which serves as the backbone of your journey. Because the character of the road is so heavily skewed toward highway travel, you should prepare for a consistent, steady pace. The transition from the quieter inland roads to the high-traffic turnpike environment marks the most notable change in the driving atmosphere as you head south.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 125.3 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 FL 60. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Fishhawk Crossing Boulevard.
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 227.6 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 0.2 miles (Fishhawk Crossing Boulevard): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 18.6 miles (FL 60 / Canal Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 89.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
125 ft2 ft
Total Climb
53 ft
Total Descent
123 ft
Highest Point
125 ft
~16.3 mi in
Elevation Range
123 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Fish Hawk, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Florida's Turnpike South: Miami along the way.
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 4h 42m. Total distance: 227.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 125.3 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $8.77 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 0.2 miles (Fishhawk Crossing Boulevard): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 18.6 miles (FL 60 / Canal Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 89.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Fort Lauderdale, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
