Fort Lauderdale to Bunnell is 253.3 miles and takes about 4 hours 48 minutes via I 95 and Florida's Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward drive entirely within Florida, primarily utilizing major interstate highways. Expect a consistent, mostly highway experience as you head north through the state. With a recommended one-day trip, you can easily complete this route without needing an overnight stay, making it a convenient option for a quick relocation or visit.
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
126.7 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 28m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
144.6 mi
2h 35m
Florida's Turnpike
84.6 mi
1h 33m
US Highway 1
6.5 mi
7m
US 1
5.6 mi
7m
Northwest 9th Avenue
2.9 mi
5m
South Powerline Road
2.4 mi
4m
Powerline Road
1.1 mi
2m
South Pompano Parkway
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 144.6 mi, about 2h 35m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 106 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,207 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,031
Quietest
2 AM
~247 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
13×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 Fort Lauderdale, FL and Bunnell, FL.
1
Start on SR 842
0.6 mi·1 min·East Broward Boulevard
2
Turn right onto Northwest 9th Avenue
2.9 mi·5 min·Northwest 9th Avenue
3
Continue on SR 845
1.1 mi·2 min·Powerline Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
4
Continue on SR 845
2.4 mi·4 min·South Powerline Road
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on SR 845
1.0 mi·1 min·South Pompano Parkway
Use the left lane.
6
Turn left onto SR 814
0.6 mi·1 min·West Atlantic Boulevard
7
Turn right onto Northwest 31st Avenue
1.0 mi·1 min·Northwest 31st Avenue
Use the right lane.
8
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·16 sec·this road
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll, Miami, OrlandoUse the straight / left lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North
10
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
85 mi·1 hr 33 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi·53 sec
Exit 152Toward FL 70: Fort Pierce, Vero BeachUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
214 ft·5 sec
Toward FL 70 East: Fort Pierce
13
Merge onto FL 70
0.3 mi·35 sec·Okeechobee Road
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 95
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 North: Daytona BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 95
145 mi·2 hr 35 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·1 min
Exit 273Toward US 1: Ormond Beach, BunnellUse the right lane.
18
Turn right onto US 1
6.5 mi·7 min·US Highway 1
19
Enter roundabout onto US 1
151 ft·2 sec·US 1
20
Continue on US 1
5.6 mi·7 min·US 1
21
Arrive at destination
US 1; FL 100
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4 hour 48 minute drive, consider leaving Fort Lauderdale in the morning to avoid the heaviest traffic. The 253.3 mile route is easily manageable in a single day, so you can be flexible with your departure time. With a fuel cost estimated around $40, plan for one stop to refuel midway, perhaps after covering the longest stretch of I 95. Keep an eye out for the transitions between Florida's Turnpike and I 95, as these can involve significant merges.
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 126.7 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL, or about 2h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 144.6 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 56 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126.7 miles or 2h 28m 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 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bunnell, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fort Lauderdale, 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 Fort Lauderdale, FL
This is one driving day of about 253.3 miles and 4h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Fort Lauderdale, 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 144.6 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 8.7 and 240.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
8.7 mi into trip|~16m in|Northwest 31st Avenue
Turn right onto Northwest 31st Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
9.8 mi into trip|~18m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North
8
94.7 mi into trip|~1h 52m in
Take the exit toward FL 70: Fort Pierce, Vero Beach
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 152
Toward FL 70: Fort Pierce, Vero Beach
7
95.8 mi into trip|~1h 54m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: Daytona Beach
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 North: Daytona Beach
8
240.9 mi into trip|~4h 31m in
Take the exit toward US 1: Ormond Beach, Bunnell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 273
Toward US 1: Ormond Beach, Bunnell
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.73 one way
$81.45 round trip
$4.08/gal25.4 MPG avg89 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$44.43
$88.85
premium
$4.78
$47.69
$95.38
diesel
$6.28
$62.59
$125.17
Estimated Tolls: $5.92
Florida's Turnpike
(84.6 mi)$5.92
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
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
76
0
$26.60
$12.16
Efficient EV
63.3
0
$22.16
$10.13
EV Truck/SUV
101.3
1
$35.46
$16.21
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Morning
in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday
Local time
7:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NE 17 to 22 mph19% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 2:34AM EDT until October 22 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 2:26AM EDT until October 22 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Destination
Bunnell, FL
Morning
in Bunnell on Thursday
Local time
7:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
N 15 to 21 mph33% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 2:34AM EDT until October 22 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 2:26AM EDT until October 22 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Jacksonville 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
10 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
4h 48m 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 200.9
Caution: Pavement Project- Playalinda District
Park Closure: Limited Access to Apollo District Parking Lots 2 and 3
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...
17 mi from route
~43 min detour
Free
near mile 253.3
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 96% of the route on major roads. You'll spend most of your time on I 95, including one continuous stretch of 144.6 miles. The transition to surface roads will occur later in the drive as you approach your destination. Expect a significant number of exits and interchanges as you navigate these busy corridors.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 144.6 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 8.7 miles in near Northwest 31st Avenue.
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 13 significant decision points across 253.3 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 8.7 miles (Northwest 31st Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 94.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
44 ft2 ft
Total Climb
85 ft
Total Descent
66 ft
Highest Point
44 ft
~235.2 mi in
Elevation Range
42 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 Fort Lauderdale, FL to Bunnell, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Vero Beach 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 48m. Total distance: 253.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 144.6 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $5.92 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 Bunnell, 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 8.7 miles (Northwest 31st Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 94.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Bunnell, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
