Fort Lauderdale to Lake Butler is 209.9 miles and takes about 4h 5m via Florida's Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Florida, taking you from the southern part of the state up towards the central region. Given its highway-focused nature and manageable duration, it's a straightforward trip best suited for a single day. You'll spend most of your time on the Turnpike, making for a predictable journey. Consider this a functional route for getting from point A to point B 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
104.9 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
191 mi
3h 27m
Northwest 9th Avenue
2.9 mi
5m
South Powerline Road
2.4 mi
4m
Conroy Windermere Road
2.2 mi
4m
East 6th Avenue
1.5 mi
3m
Kirkman Road
1.2 mi
1m
Powerline Road
1.1 mi
2m
South Pompano Parkway
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 191 mi, about 3h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Lauderdale, FL and Lake Butler, 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
191 mi·3 hr 27 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·54 sec
Exit 259Toward I 4: Orlando, TampaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 4 West: Tampa
13
Merge onto I 4
0.5 mi·34 sec·I 4
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 75B-AToward FL 435: Kirkman Road, International DriveUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 75AToward FL 435 North: Kirkman RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn straight onto FL 435
1.2 mi·1 min·Kirkman Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Turn left onto Conroy Road
1.0 mi·1 min·Conroy Road
Use the left lane.
18
Continue on Conroy Windermere Road
2.2 mi·4 min·Conroy Windermere Road
19
Continue on East 6th Avenue
1.5 mi·3 min·East 6th Avenue
20
Enter roundabout onto Main Street
30 ft·1 sec·Main Street
21
Continue on Main Street
398 ft·8 sec·Main Street
22
Enter roundabout onto Main Street
92 ft·1 sec·Main Street
23
Continue on Main Street
0.3 mi·31 sec·Main Street
24
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·2nd Avenue
25
Turn right onto Pine Street
436 ft·19 sec·Pine Street
26
Continue on Pine Street
194 ft·10 sec·Pine Street
27
Turn right
0.1 mi·39 sec
28
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
With a driving time of just over 4 hours, this trip is easily completed in one day, so you have flexibility with your departure time. The longest stretch without a significant change in road is 191 miles on Florida's Turnpike, so plan for a fuel and rest stop before you embark on that segment. Given the $33 fuel cost estimate, it's wise to check current prices and fill up before hitting the road, especially if you plan to stop for gas on the Turnpike where prices can sometimes be higher. Keep an eye on your toll transponder or cash for the Turnpike tolls.
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 104.9 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL, or about 2h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 191 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 46 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.9 miles or 2h 2m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lake Butler, 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 209.9 miles and 4h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 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 191 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 9.8 and 209.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
201.1 mi into trip|~3h 46m in
Take the exit toward I 4: Orlando, Tampa
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 259
Toward I 4: Orlando, Tampa
8
202.6 mi into trip|~3h 49m in
Take the exit toward FL 435: Kirkman Road, International Drive
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 75B-A
Toward FL 435: Kirkman Road, International Driv...
8
202.8 mi into trip|~3h 49m in
Keep slight right at fork toward FL 435 North: Kirkman Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 75A
Toward FL 435 North: Kirkman Road
6
209.1 mi into trip|~4h 2m in|Main Street
Enter roundabout onto Main Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.77 one way
$63.55 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg73 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$34.86
$69.73
premium
$4.55
$37.60
$75.20
diesel
$4.80
$39.63
$79.27
Estimated Tolls: $13.37
Florida's Turnpike
(191 mi)$13.37
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
$32
Tolls
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
63
0
$22.04
$10.08
Efficient EV
52.5
0
$18.37
$8.40
EV Truck/SUV
84
1
$29.39
$13.43
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (66% 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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Afternoon
in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday
Local time
1:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Partly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 6 to 10 mph21% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Lake Butler, FL
Afternoon
in Lake Butler on Sunday
Local time
1:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
SE 5 to 10 mph30% 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
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
4h 5m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 92% of the journey on major roads. You'll experience a significant stretch of 191 miles on Florida's Turnpike, offering a consistent, high-speed experience for a large portion of the trip. Expect primarily highway driving with minimal deviations. The route's character remains largely consistent due to its reliance on a major toll road, making it predictable for drivers. This isn't a route known for winding backroads or frequent scenic overlooks; it's built for covering ground.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 191 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 Northwest 9th Avenue. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9.8 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 18 significant decision points across 209.9 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 9.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 201.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 202.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 5m. Total distance: 209.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 191 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $13.37 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 14 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 Lake Butler, 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 14 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 9.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 201.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 202.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Lake Butler, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
