Fort Lauderdale to Cypress Lake is 136.4 miles and takes about 2 hours 37 minutes via I-75, with a fuel budget near $22 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Florida, moving you from the southeast coast to the southwest interior. It's a highway-focused journey, meaning you'll spend most of your time on well-maintained interstates, making it a straightforward and efficient trip. Given the relatively short distance and duration, this is an ideal one-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination with plenty of time to spare.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
68.2 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 18m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
112.3 mi
2h
Port Everglades Expressway
11.5 mi
13m
Daniels Parkway
4.8 mi
8m
Cypress Lake Drive
1.7 mi
3m
East Broward Boulevard
1.6 mi
3m
Winkler Road
0.5 mi
1m
Myerlee Country Club Boulevard
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 112.3 mi, about 2h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Lauderdale, FL and Cypress Lake, FL.
1
Start on SR 842
1.6 mi·3 min·East Broward Boulevard
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 95 South: Miami
3
Keep slight right at fork
2.2 mi·3 min
Toward I 595: Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale - Hollywood International AirportUse the slight right lane.
4
Keep slight right at fork
1.0 mi·2 min
Toward I 595 WestUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
5
Merge onto I 595
1.4 mi·1 min·Port Everglades Expressway
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 595
10 mi·11 min·Port Everglades Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 75
112 mi·2 hr·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 131Toward CR 876: Cape CoralUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
524 ft·16 sec
Toward CR 876 West: Lee County Sports Complex, Florida SouthWestern State College, Cape CoralUse the left lane.
10
Turn left
116 ft·5 sec
Toward CR 876 West
11
Turn left onto CR 876
4.8 mi·8 min·Daniels Parkway
Use the left lane.
12
Continue on CR 876
1.7 mi·3 min·Cypress Lake Drive
Use the left lane.
13
Turn left onto Winkler Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Winkler Road
Use the left lane.
14
Turn right onto Myerlee Country Club Boulevard
0.1 mi·33 sec·Myerlee Country Club Boulevard
15
Continue on Myerlee Country Club Boulevard
343 ft·20 sec·Myerlee Country Club Boulevard
16
Arrive at destination
Myerlee Country Club Boulevard
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable one-day drive of just over 2.5 hours, you have the flexibility to leave whenever suits you best. Consider an early start to maximize your day at Cypress Lake. With a longest stretch of over 112 miles on I-75, plan for one fuel stop before you get too low, as services can be spaced out on longer highway segments. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach the 112.3-mile mark on I-75, to ensure you don't need to detour for gas. The total fuel cost is estimated at $22, so budget accordingly.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 68.2 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL, or about 1h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 112.3 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 30 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68.2 miles or 1h 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cypress Lake, 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 136.4 miles and 2h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 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 75 for about 112.3 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.8 and 129.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
1.8 mi into trip|~3m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 595: Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale - Hollywood International Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 595: Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale...
7
3.9 mi into trip|~7m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 595 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 595 West
6
6.3 mi into trip|~11m in|I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
128.7 mi into trip|~2h 23m in
Take the exit toward CR 876: Cape Coral
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 131
Toward CR 876: Cape Coral
8
129.1 mi into trip|~2h 23m in
Keep slight left at fork toward CR 876 West: Lee County Sports Complex, Florida SouthWestern State College, Cape Coral
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward CR 876 West: Lee County Sports Complex,...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.71 one way
$43.42 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg48 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$23.62
$47.24
premium
$4.72
$25.36
$50.73
diesel
$5.61
$30.12
$60.23
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
40.9
0
$14.32
$6.55
Efficient EV
34.1
0
$11.94
$5.46
EV Truck/SUV
54.6
0
$19.10
$8.73
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 15, 2026
Origin
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Night
in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday
Local time
10:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cypress Lake, FL
Night
in Cypress Lake on Saturday
Local time
10:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Naples, FL
68 mi in
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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 37m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 highway-focused drive for the most part, with 94% of the route utilizing major highways. You'll begin on the Port Everglades Expressway before merging onto I-75, which will be your primary artery for the majority of the trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a significant 112.3 miles on I-75, offering a consistent and predictable driving experience. Daniels Parkway marks your final approach, indicating a transition from high-speed interstate travel to more localized roads as you near Cypress Lake.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 112.3 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Port Everglades Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.8 miles in.
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 13 significant decision points across 136.4 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 1.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.3 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Fort Lauderdale, FL and Cypress Lake, FL, road signs point toward Cr 876: Cape Coral, Cr 876 West: Lee County Sports Complex, Florida Southwestern State College, Cape Coral and Cr 876 West.
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).
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 37m. Total distance: 136.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 112.3 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Cypress Lake, 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 1.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.3 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Cypress Lake, FL before heading back.
