Fort Lauderdale to Goulding is 646.3 miles and takes about 11h 46m via I 10 and Florida's Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $101 and requiring an overnight stay. This long-haul drive spans across Florida, connecting the southern part of the state to the panhandle. Given the nearly 12-hour driving time, planning for at least one overnight stop is essential to avoid fatigue. It's a route best suited for those who don't mind extended time behind the wheel, primarily utilizing major interstate highways.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
3 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
323.2 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
283.4 mi
5h 3m
Florida's Turnpike
240.6 mi
4h 20m
I 75
106.9 mi
1h 54m
Northwest 9th Avenue
2.9 mi
5m
Reubin O'Donovan Askew Parkway
2.7 mi
3m
South Powerline Road
2.4 mi
4m
Powerline Road
1.1 mi
2m
South Pompano Parkway
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 283.4 mi, about 5h 3m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 38 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,320 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,837
Quietest
2 AM
~156 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.5×
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 Goulding, 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
107 mi·1 hr 54 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·15 sec
Exit 435Toward I 10: Jacksonville, TallahasseeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·30 sec
Toward I 10 West: TallahasseeUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 10
283 mi·5 hr 3 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 12Toward I 110 South: Pensacola, Pensacola BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 110
2.7 mi·3 min·Reubin O'Donovan Askew Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Exit 4Toward FL 295: Fairfield DriveUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward FL 295 South
20
Turn straight onto FL 295
179 ft·8 sec·East Fairfield Drive
21
Turn left onto Marcus Drive
0.4 mi·1 min·Marcus Drive
Use the left lane.
22
At end of road, turn right onto East Texar Drive
0.1 mi·27 sec·East Texar Drive
23
Turn right onto North Guillemard Street
0.2 mi·33 sec·North Guillemard Street
24
Arrive at destination
North Guillemard Street
Trip Plan
For this 646.3-mile drive, splitting it over two days is highly recommended. Aim to depart early on your first day to maximize daylight hours for driving. With a total duration of nearly 12 hours, plan for one significant overnight stop. Consider breaking the trip roughly in half to ensure you're not pushing too hard on either day. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 283.4-mile stretch on I 10, as services can be spaced out.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 323.2 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL, or about 5h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 283.4 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 142 miles or 2h 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 323.2 miles or 5h 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 323.2 miles or 5h 57m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 10h 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Goulding, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Fort Lauderdale, FL
Aim for roughly 323 miles and 5.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Goulding, FL
Aim for roughly 323 miles and 5.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 142 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 3 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 10 for about 283.4 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 250.5 and 645.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
357.7 mi into trip|~6h 34m in
Take the exit toward I 10: Jacksonville, Tallahassee
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 435
Toward I 10: Jacksonville, Tallahassee
8
357.8 mi into trip|~6h 34m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 West: Tallahassee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 10 West: Tallahassee
8
641.6 mi into trip|~11h 39m in
Take the exit toward I 110 South: Pensacola, Pensacola Beach
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 12
Toward I 110 South: Pensacola, Pensacola Beach
7
645.1 mi into trip|~11h 43m in
Take the exit toward FL 295: Fairfield Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 4
Toward FL 295: Fairfield Drive
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$97.84 one way
$195.67 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg226 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$107.35
$214.70
premium
$4.55
$115.77
$231.55
diesel
$4.80
$122.03
$244.07
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
$98
Tolls
$17
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$245–$355
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 226.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $68 in charging
· 2 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
193.9
2
$67.86
$31.02
Efficient EV
161.6
1
$56.55
$25.85
EV Truck/SUV
258.5
3
$90.48
$41.36
Gas CO2
226 kg
EV CO2
76 kg (66% less)
Plan for 2 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 16, 2026
Origin
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Night
in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday
Local time
9:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
95°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 8 mph28% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 3:58PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 16 at 11:29AM EDT until July 17 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Destination
Goulding, FL
Evening
in Goulding on Saturday
Local time
8:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
95°F
Sunny
W 5 to 10 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 3:58PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 16 at 11:29AM EDT until July 17 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
Time zone
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
11h 46m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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.
Gulf Islands National Seashore
National Seashore
Millions of visitors are drawn to the Gulf of America for Gulf Islands National Seashore's emerald coast waters, magnificent white beaches, fertile marshes and historical landscapes. Come explore with...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
$25
near mile 646.3
Park Closure: Fort Pickens Campground Restroom A Loop Closure
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 on highways, with 98% of the route utilizing interstates. You'll experience a long stretch of 283.4 miles on I 10, offering uninterrupted cruising. The transition from highway driving to surface roads will occur near your destination in Goulding. Expect frequent exits and an increase in local traffic as you approach the end of your trip.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 283.4 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and Florida's Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 250.5 miles in near Florida's Turnpike.
Driving Effort10/10
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 17 significant decision points across 646.3 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 250.5 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 357.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 357.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
167 ft2 ft
Total Climb
259 ft
Total Descent
187 ft
Highest Point
167 ft
~369.3 mi in
Elevation Range
165 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 Goulding, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Tallahassee 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
The longest stretch is about 283.4 miles on I 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 323 miles on day one.
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 61 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 Goulding, 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 3 meaningful breaks. There are 61 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 250.5 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 357.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 357.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Gulf Islands National Seashore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 11.8 hours each way, a round trip means 23.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Goulding, FL before the return drive.
