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Trip from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Green Cove Springs, FL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 47m
Distance
304.2 mi
489 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$46
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 34m
★
6 AM
5h 48m
8 AM
6h 14m
10 AM
5h 57m
12 PM
5h 54m
3 PM
5h 58m
5 PM
6h 13m
8 PM
5h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Green Cove Springs, FL
Jose Valverde
Trip Overview
Fort Lauderdale to Green Cove Springs is 304.2 miles and takes about 5h 47m via I 95 and Florida's Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This mostly highway route stays within Florida, taking you north through varied landscapes. Given its relatively short duration, it's a manageable one-day trip for most drivers. You'll encounter a single main stop on the way, and the bulk of the driving is on the interstate.
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
152.1 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 55m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 188.4 mi | 3h 22m |
| Florida's Turnpike | 84.6 mi | 1h 33m |
| FL 16 | 12.2 mi | 17m |
| FL 13 | 4 mi | 5m |
| Northwest 9th Avenue | 2.9 mi | 5m |
| South Powerline Road | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| Pensacola-St. Augustine Highway | 2 mi | 3m |
| Powerline Road | 1.1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 188.4 mi, about 3h 22m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 118 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,188 veh/hr typical · worst 3,953
Quietest
2 AM
~255 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Green Cove Springs, 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, Orlando
Use 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 152
Toward FL 70: Fort Pierce, Vero Beach
Use 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 Beach
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 95
188 mi
·
3 hr 22 min
·
I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 318
Toward FL 16: Saint Augustine, Green Cove Springs
18
Merge onto FL 16
319 ft
·
6 sec
·
Charles Usinas Memorial Highway
19
Continue on FL 16
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Pensacola-St. Augustine Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
20
Continue on FL 16
5.2 mi
·
7 min
·
FL 16
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn straight onto CR 16A
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
CR 16A
22
Turn left onto Silverleaf Parkway
106 ft
·
4 sec
·
Silverleaf Parkway
23
Continue on FL 16
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
FL 16
24
At end of road, turn right onto FL 13; FL 16
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
FL 13; FL 16
25
Turn slight left onto FL 16
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
FL 16
26
At end of road, turn left onto FL 16
5.1 mi
·
7 min
·
FL 16
27
Turn right onto US 17; FL 16
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Orange Avenue
28
Turn right
158 ft
·
16 sec
29
Turn left
22 ft
·
1 sec
30
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5 hour and 47 minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Fort Lauderdale to avoid potential traffic. The route is designed for a single day, so plan for one primary stop to stretch your legs and refuel. With a fuel cost estimated around $48, budgeting for gas is straightforward. Keep an eye out for the transition from the Turnpike to I 95, as this is a key point in your navigation. The longest stretch without a major road change is nearly 189 miles on I 95, so ensure you're comfortable with extended highway driving.
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 152.1 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL, or about 2h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 188.4 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 67 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 152.1 miles or 2h 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Green Cove Springs, 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 304.2 miles and 5h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 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 188.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
152 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 67 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 152.1 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 188.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
ONE9 Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
50381
0.1 mi from route
40392
0.1 mi from route
40391
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Port Saint Lucie - Fort Pierce Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
50341
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
West Palm Beach Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
20331
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.3 mi from route
20332
0.4 mi from route
50382
0.4 mi from route
50342
0.5 mi from route
Pompano Service Plaza
1.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
1.7 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 195 decision points cluster between mile 8.7 and 284.7 — 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
6
284.7 mi into trip
|
~5h 18m in
Take the exit toward FL 16: Saint Augustine, Green Cove Springs
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 318
Toward FL 16: Saint Augustine, Green Cove Sprin...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.05 one way
$92.10 round trip
$3.85/gal
25.4 MPG avg
106 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $50.53 | $101.06 |
| premium | $4.55 | $54.49 | $108.99 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $57.44 | $114.88 |
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
$46
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 106.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 91.3 | 1 | $31.94 | $14.60 |
| Efficient EV | 76.1 | 0 | $26.62 | $12.17 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 121.7 | 1 | $42.59 | $19.47 |
Gas CO2
106 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (66% 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.
Origin
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Late night in Fort Lauderdale on Monday
Local time
5:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
95°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
S 12 mph
57% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 4:07PM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 4:03PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Destination
Green Cove Springs, FL
Late night in Green Cove Springs on Monday
Local time
5:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
95°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 9 mph
28% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 4:07PM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 4:03PM EDT by NWS Miami 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 47m 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.
Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
National Monument
Built by the Spanish in St. Augustine to defend Florida and the Atlantic trade route, Castillo de San Marcos National Monument preserves the oldest masonry fortification in the continental United Stat...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
$15
near mile 283.2
View on nps.gov
Fort Matanzas National Monument
National Monument
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...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 262.2
View on nps.gov
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
~21 min detour
$25
near mile 199.3
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is primarily a highway drive, with 95% of the route utilizing major interstates. You'll cover a substantial 188.4 miles on I 95 before transitioning. Expect a consistent cruising experience for the majority of the miles, with the highway portion likely featuring frequent exits. The final segment on FL 16 will offer a change of pace as you move off the high-speed roads.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 188.4 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 Effort
10/10
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 19 significant decision points across 304.2 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
45 ft
2 ft
Total Climb
66 ft
Total Descent
51 ft
Highest Point
45 ft
~282.4 mi in
Elevation Range
43 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Green Cove Springs, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Vero Beach along the way.
Vero Beach
94.7 mi in
|
~1h 52m
About the Cities
Starting in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Full guide →Founded 1911
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
Arriving in Green Cove Springs, FL
Full guide →Founded 1854
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 47m. Total distance: 304.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 188.4 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 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 Green Cove Springs, 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 94.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, Fort Matanzas National Monument and Canaveral National Seashore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Green Cove Springs, FL before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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