Fort Lauderdale to Loughman is 203.4 miles and takes about 3 hours 59 minutes via Florida's Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within Florida, taking you from the South region up towards the central part of the state. You'll mostly be on highways, making it a straightforward trip if you're looking for a direct way to get from point A to point B. The relatively short duration and highway focus mean it's a practical option for a single-day excursion.
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
101.7 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
174.1 mi
3h 9m
South Orange Blossom Trail
8.7 mi
13m
Bronson Highway
4.5 mi
7m
Northwest 9th Avenue
2.9 mi
5m
John Young Parkway
2.5 mi
3m
South Powerline Road
2.4 mi
4m
Powerline Road
1.1 mi
2m
East Vine Street
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 174.1 mi, about 3h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Lauderdale, FL and Loughman, 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
174 mi·3 hr 9 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Exit 242Toward US 192, US 441: Kissimmee, Saint CloudUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn left onto US 192; US 441
4.5 mi·7 min·Bronson Highway
13
Continue on US 192; US 441
1.1 mi·2 min·East Vine Street
14
Turn left onto Main Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Main Street
Use the left lane.
15
Continue on Broadway Avenue
0.3 mi·40 sec·Broadway Avenue
16
Continue on Emmett Street
0.5 mi·54 sec·Emmett Street
17
Turn left onto US 17; US 92
2.5 mi·3 min·John Young Parkway
18
Continue on US 17; US 92
8.7 mi·13 min·South Orange Blossom Trail
19
Turn right onto Ronald Reagan Parkway
0.6 mi·51 sec·Ronald Reagan Parkway
20
Turn right
205 ft·15 sec
21
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the under 4-hour drive time, leaving Fort Lauderdale anytime in the morning should get you to Loughman with plenty of daylight to spare. The longest stretch without a significant break is 174.1 miles on Florida's Turnpike, so plan for a quick stop around the halfway point if you prefer to break up the driving. Keep an eye on your fuel as you approach the end of the Turnpike segment, as the transition to surface roads can sometimes mean fewer immediate service options. The flexibility of a single-day trip means you can adjust your departure time based on traffic or your personal schedule.
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 101.7 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL, or about 1h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 174.1 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 45 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.7 miles or 1h 59m 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 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Loughman, 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 203.4 miles and 3h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 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 174.1 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 8.7 and 190.2 — 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
5
10.1 mi into trip|~19m in|Florida's Turnpike
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
184.2 mi into trip|~3h 28m in
Take the exit toward US 192, US 441: Kissimmee, Saint Cloud
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 242
Toward US 192, US 441: Kissimmee, Saint Cloud
5
190.2 mi into trip|~3h 38m in|Main Street
Turn left onto Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.70 one way
$65.41 round trip
$4.08/gal25.4 MPG avg71 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$35.68
$71.35
premium
$4.78
$38.29
$76.59
diesel
$6.28
$50.26
$100.51
Estimated Tolls: $12.19
Florida's Turnpike
(174.1 mi)$12.19
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
$33
Tolls
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61
0
$21.36
$9.76
Efficient EV
50.9
0
$17.80
$8.14
EV Truck/SUV
81.4
1
$28.48
$13.02
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 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 Oct 22, 2026
Origin
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Morning
in Fort Lauderdale on Friday
Local time
8:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NE 16 mph32% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 22 at 1:32PM EDT until October 24 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 22 at 1:32PM EDT until October 24 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Destination
Loughman, FL
Morning
in Loughman on Friday
Local time
8:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Sunny
NE 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 22 at 1:32PM EDT until October 24 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 22 at 1:32PM EDT until October 24 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Jacksonville 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
2 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
3h 59m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 route is overwhelmingly highway driving, with 88% of the 203.4 miles on high-speed roads. You'll experience a long stretch of 174.1 miles on Florida's Turnpike, which means plenty of consistent cruising. After this extensive highway segment, expect a shift to surface roads like South Orange Blossom Trail and Bronson Highway for the final portion of your trip. The high highway percentage suggests frequent exits and potentially busy interchanges as you get closer to your destination.
88% 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: 174.1 mi on Florida's Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and South Orange Blossom Trail. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 8.7 miles in near Northwest 31st Avenue.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 203.4 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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 10.1 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
102 ft2 ft
Total Climb
157 ft
Total Descent
57 ft
Highest Point
102 ft
~203.4 mi in
Elevation Range
100 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 Loughman, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Cloud 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
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 59m. Total distance: 203.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 174.1 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $12.19 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 13 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
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 10.1 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Loughman, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
