Fort Lauderdale to Montverde is 222.1 miles and takes about 4h 14m via Florida's Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within Florida, moving from the southern part of the state up towards the center. You'll spend most of your time on the turnpike, making it a straightforward, highway-focused journey. It's a route well-suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. Consider this if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground between these two Florida locations.
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
111 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
204.3 mi
3h 41m
CR 455
3.6 mi
6m
Northwest 9th Avenue
2.9 mi
5m
West Colonial Drive
2.7 mi
4m
South Powerline Road
2.4 mi
4m
Powerline Road
1.1 mi
2m
South Pompano Parkway
1 mi
1m
Northwest 31st Avenue
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 204.3 mi, about 3h 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Lauderdale, FL and Montverde, 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
204 mi·3 hr 41 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 272Toward FL 50: Winter Garden, ClermontUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
398 ft·9 sec
Toward FL 50 East: Clermont, Winter GardenUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·47 sec
Toward FL 50 West: ClermontUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto FL 50
2.7 mi·4 min·West Colonial Drive
Use the left lane.
15
Turn right onto CR 455
0.9 mi·1 min·CR 455
Use the right lane.
16
Enter roundabout onto CR 455; CR Old 50
101 ft·2 sec·CR 455; CR Old 50
17
Continue on CR 455; CR Old 50
482 ft·10 sec·CR 455; CR Old 50
18
Enter roundabout onto CR 455
162 ft·3 sec·CR 455
19
Continue on CR 455
2.5 mi·4 min·CR 455
20
Enter roundabout
93 ft·1 sec
21
Continue
146 ft·3 sec
22
Turn straight onto CR 455
0.7 mi·1 min·7th Street
23
Turn right onto Franklin Avenue
228 ft·9 sec·Franklin Avenue
24
Arrive at destination
Franklin Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 14m duration, starting your drive in the morning from Fort Lauderdale is ideal, allowing ample time to reach Montverde before evening. The longest stretch on Florida's Turnpike is over 200 miles, so plan your fuel stops accordingly, perhaps before you merge onto the turnpike or at one of the service plazas. While this is a single-day trip, the 222.1-mile distance means you won't need to rush. For a concrete tip, keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the 200-mile mark on the turnpike, as services can be spaced out between exits.
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 111 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL, or about 2h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 204.3 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 49 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 111 miles or 2h 8m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Montverde, 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 222.1 miles and 4h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 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 204.3 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 8.7 and 214.7 — 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
214.4 mi into trip|~4h 1m in
Take the exit toward FL 50: Winter Garden, Clermont
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 272
Toward FL 50: Winter Garden, Clermont
9
214.6 mi into trip|~4h 1m in
Keep slight right at fork toward FL 50 East: Clermont, Winter Garden
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward FL 50 East: Clermont, Winter Garden
7
214.7 mi into trip|~4h 1m in
Keep slight left at fork toward FL 50 West: Clermont
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward FL 50 West: Clermont
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.35 one way
$70.70 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg78 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$38.46
$76.91
premium
$4.72
$41.30
$82.60
diesel
$5.61
$49.04
$98.07
Estimated Tolls: $14.30
Florida's Turnpike
(204.3 mi)$14.30
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
$35
Tolls
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66.6
0
$23.32
$10.66
Efficient EV
55.5
0
$19.43
$8.88
EV Truck/SUV
88.8
1
$31.09
$14.21
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% 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 Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Morning
in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday
Local time
6:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Montverde, FL
Morning
in Montverde on Tuesday
Local time
6:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
91°F
Unavailable
Live 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
7 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 14m 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 road trip is overwhelmingly highway-focused, with 94% of the journey taking place on major roads. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 204.3 miles primarily on Florida's Turnpike. Expect a consistent driving rhythm, characterized by smooth, high-speed travel for the majority of the trip. While the route is largely consistent, the final leg incorporates local roads like CR 455 and Northwest 9th Avenue, offering a slight change of pace as you approach Montverde. This transition from pure highway to more local thoroughfares is subtle but noticeable.
94% 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: 204.3 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 CR 455. 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 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 14 significant decision points across 222.1 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 214.4 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 14m. Total distance: 222.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 204.3 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $14.30 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Montverde, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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 214.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Montverde, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
