Fort Lauderdale to DeLand is 236.4 miles and takes about 4h 31m via I 95 and Florida's Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, taking you north from the South Florida region into Central Florida. With 87% of the route on highways, expect a fairly direct drive. It's a practical choice if you need to get between these two points efficiently, with most of the mileage covered on major interstates.
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
118.2 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
119.8 mi
2h 8m
Florida's Turnpike
84.6 mi
1h 33m
East New York Avenue
11.4 mi
16m
State Road 44
8.6 mi
10m
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
— 119.8 mi, about 2h 8m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 94 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,419 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,165
Quietest
2 AM
~251 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
13.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 DeLand, 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
120 mi·2 hr 8 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 249Toward FL 44: DeLand, New Smyrna BeachUse the left lane.
18
Turn left onto FL 44
8.6 mi·10 min·State Road 44
19
Continue on FL 44
8.7 mi·11 min·East New York Avenue
20
Continue on FL 44
2.7 mi·5 min·East New York Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
FL 44
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour driving time, leaving Fort Lauderdale in the morning allows ample time to reach DeLand before evening. You'll have a single recommended stop on this route, likely for fuel or a quick break, but the 119.8-mile stretch on I 95 means you can plan your stops strategically. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the transition from the Turnpike to I 95, as this is a good point to consider refueling if needed. The relatively short duration makes this a flexible same-day trip, but be aware of potential traffic as you leave the Fort Lauderdale area.
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 118.2 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL, or about 2h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 119.8 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 52 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 118.2 miles or 2h 19m 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 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near DeLand, 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 236.4 miles and 4h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 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 119.8 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 216.1 — 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
216.1 mi into trip|~4h 4m in
Take the exit toward FL 44: DeLand, New Smyrna Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Exit 249
Toward FL 44: DeLand, New Smyrna Beach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.79 one way
$71.57 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$39.27
$78.53
premium
$4.55
$42.35
$84.69
diesel
$4.80
$44.64
$89.27
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
$36
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70.9
0
$24.82
$11.35
Efficient EV
59.1
0
$20.69
$9.46
EV Truck/SUV
94.6
1
$33.10
$15.13
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Night
in Fort Lauderdale on Monday
Local time
10:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
91°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 8 to 13 mph22% chanceLive forecast
Destination
DeLand, FL
Night
in DeLand on Monday
Local time
10:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
94°F
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 10 mph22% chanceLive 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
3 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 31m 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 195.6
Caution: Pavement Project- Playalinda District
Park Closure: Limited Access to Apollo District Parking Lots 2 and 3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 87% of the 236.4 miles on major roads like I 95 and Florida's Turnpike. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch of highway at 119.8 miles on I 95, meaning you can settle in for a good amount of time without frequent exits. The transition to surface roads happens later in the drive, specifically as you approach DeLand and transition onto East New York Avenue.
87% 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: 119.8 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 12 significant decision points across 236.4 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 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
41 ft2 ft
Total Climb
83 ft
Total Descent
47 ft
Highest Point
41 ft
~101.3 mi in
Elevation Range
39 ft
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 DeLand, FL, road signs point toward Vero Beach and New Smyrna Beach.
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 31m. Total distance: 236.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 31m 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 119.8 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 17 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 DeLand, 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 17 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. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at DeLand, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
