Fort Lauderdale to Cross City is 345.3 miles and takes about 6h 38m via Florida's Turnpike and US 27, with a fuel budget near $60 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip starts in South Florida and heads north through the heart of the state, transitioning from urban landscapes to more rural settings. Most of your travel will be on major highways, making it a straightforward drive for a single day. Keep in mind that Florida's Turnpike will be your primary artery for a significant portion of this route. It's a practical option if you need to get from one side of the state to the other efficiently.
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
172.6 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
240.6 mi
4h 20m
US 27
48 mi
1h 1m
I 75
24.6 mi
26m
Young Boulevard
21.4 mi
29m
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:
Florida's Turnpike
— 240.6 mi, about 4h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Lauderdale, FL and Cross City, 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
240 mi·4 hr 20 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto Florida's Turnpike
0.2 mi·15 sec·Florida's Turnpike
Toward I 75 North: OcalaUse the straight lane.
12
Merge onto I 75
25 mi·26 min·I 75
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward US 27: Ocala, Williston
14
Keep slight left at fork
295 ft·9 sec
Toward US 27 North: WillistonUse the left lane.
15
Merge onto US 27
48 mi·1 hr 1 min·US 27
Use the left lane.
16
Turn right onto US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate
0.1 mi·15 sec·Main Street
17
Continue on US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate
21 mi·29 min·Young Boulevard
18
Turn left onto Southeast 14th Avenue
208 ft·9 sec·Southeast 14th Avenue
19
Arrive at destination
Southeast 14th Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6.5-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Fort Lauderdale, around 7 or 8 AM, to avoid the worst of the traffic and give yourself ample daylight. The longest stretch of 240.6 miles on Florida's Turnpike means you can cover a lot of ground before needing a significant break. Plan your fuel stop strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or when you see prices that suit your budget, as fuel costs are estimated at $60. Given the total duration, it's entirely feasible as a single-day trip, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace, a brief overnight stop could be considered around the Lake Okeechobee area.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 172.6 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL, or about 3h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 240.6 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 76 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 172.6 miles or 3h 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cross City, 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 345.3 miles and 6h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 76 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 Florida's Turnpike for about 240.6 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 8.7 and 275.6 — 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
5
10.1 mi into trip|~19m in|Florida's Turnpike
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
250.5 mi into trip|~4h 39m in|Florida's Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto Florida's Turnpike toward I 75 North: Ocala
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 75 North: Ocala
8
275.6 mi into trip|~5h 7m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 27 North: Williston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward US 27 North: Williston
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.96 one way
$109.93 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg121 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$59.91
$119.82
premium
$4.74
$64.48
$128.96
diesel
$5.35
$72.73
$145.46
Estimated Tolls: $16.83
Florida's Turnpike
(240.4 mi)$16.83
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
$55
Tolls
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$97–$122
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 120.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
103.6
1
$36.26
$16.57
Efficient EV
86.3
0
$30.21
$13.81
EV Truck/SUV
138.1
1
$48.34
$22.10
Gas CO2
121 kg
EV CO2
40 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 May 30, 2026
Origin
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Evening
in Fort Lauderdale on Wednesday
Local time
5:31 PM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Cloudy
W 3 mph13% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued May 30 at 12:09AM CDT until May 30 at 6:00AM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued May 29 at 3:52AM EDT until June 1 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Destination
Cross City, FL
Evening
in Cross City on Wednesday
Local time
5:31 PM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
0 mph33% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued May 30 at 12:09AM CDT until May 30 at 6:00AM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued May 29 at 3:52AM EDT until June 1 at 2:00AM 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
3 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
6h 38m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 91% of the 345.3 miles on major roads. You'll experience a long stretch of 240.6 miles on Florida's Turnpike, which means you'll encounter many exits and services along that particular section. After the turnpike, you'll transition to US 27, and eventually I-75, offering a mix of high-speed cruising and more direct, though still significant, highway travel. Expect to see less dense development as you move north.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 240.6 mi on Florida's Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and US 27. 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 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 12 significant decision points across 345.3 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 10.1 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
160 ft2 ft
Total Climb
203 ft
Total Descent
164 ft
Highest Point
160 ft
~222 mi in
Elevation Range
158 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 Cross City, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Williston along the way.
Williston
275.4 mi in|~5h 6m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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 6h 38m. Total distance: 345.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 38m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 240.6 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $16.83 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 24 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 Cross City, 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 24 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 10.1 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Cross City, FL before the return drive.
