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Trip from Fort Lauderdale, FL to New Smyrna Beach, FL
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 12m
Distance
220.4 mi
355 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
12 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 59m
★
6 AM
4h 12m
8 AM
4h 39m
10 AM
4h 21m
12 PM
4h 19m
3 PM
4h 23m
5 PM
4h 37m
8 PM
4h 4m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Wikimedia Commons
New Smyrna Beach, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Fort Lauderdale to New Smyrna Beach is 220.4 miles and takes about 4h 12m via I 95 and Florida's Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route takes you north through Florida, primarily on major highways. Expect a drive that's almost entirely on high-speed roads, making it a straightforward trip for a single day. It's a practical option if you're looking to cover ground efficiently between South Florida and the Central Florida coast without many detours.
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
110.2 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 10m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 119.8 mi | 2h 8m |
| Florida's Turnpike | 84.6 mi | 1h 33m |
| State Road 44 | 3 mi | 4m |
| Northwest 9th Avenue | 2.9 mi | 5m |
| 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:
I 95
— 119.8 mi, about 2h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Lauderdale, FL and New Smyrna Beach, 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
120 mi
·
2 hr 8 min
·
I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 249
Toward FL 44: DeLand, New Smyrna Beach
18
Turn right onto FL 44
0.6 mi
·
52 sec
·
State Road 44
19
Keep slight right at fork onto FL 44
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
State Road 44
20
Turn left onto FL 44 Business
189 ft
·
4 sec
·
FL 44 Business
Use the left lane.
21
Turn slight right onto FL 44 Business
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
FL 44 Business
22
Turn left onto US 1
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
Dixie Freeway
Use the left / straight lanes.
23
Turn right
222 ft
·
16 sec
24
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this drive is just over 4 hours, consider an early morning departure from Fort Lauderdale to maximize your daylight. With only one recommended stop and a high highway share, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longest stretch on I 95, as services can sometimes be spaced out on long highway segments. This route is quite direct, so flexibility with rest stops is a key advantage; a quick break every couple of hours should suffice.
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 110.2 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL, or about 2h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 119.8 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 48 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.2 miles or 2h 10m 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 New Smyrna Beach, 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 220.4 miles and 4h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 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 119.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
110 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 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 110.2 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 119.8 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Nearby Places
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Love's Travel Stop
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
West Palm Beach Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
50382
0.4 mi from route
50342
0.5 mi from route
Pompano Service Plaza
1.1 mi from route
Joseph C. Carter Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
1.6 mi from route
~4 min detour
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Hours: 6 am–9 pm
+19548285411
Visit websiteWreck It Ft Laudy
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Oakland Park, Florida
Marine Science Center
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~10 min detour
3.8 mi from route
~10 min detour
mile 220.4
Ponce Inlet, Florida
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+13863045545
Visit websiteRiverbend Park
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, ~10 min detour
4.2 mi from route
~10 min detour
mile 63
Jupiter, Florida
Hours: 7 am–7 pm
+15617411359
Visit websiteStuart Heritage Museum
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour
4.1 mi from route
~10 min detour
mile 78.7
Stuart, Florida
Hours: 10 am–3 pm
+17722204600
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 9.8 and 219.3 — 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
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
216.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 4m in
Take the exit toward FL 44: DeLand, New Smyrna Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 249
Toward FL 44: DeLand, New Smyrna Beach
6
219.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 9m in
|
FL 44 Business
Turn left onto FL 44 Business
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.08 one way
$70.16 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
77 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $38.16 | $76.32 |
| premium | $4.72 | $40.98 | $81.96 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $48.66 | $97.32 |
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
$35
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
12 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale - Tesla Supercharger
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Tesla
16 DCFC
Fort Lauderdale Hub, Miami Rd, FL
Ft Lauderdale, FL
BP_PULSE
16 DCFC
606 N Federal Hwy
Fort Lauderdale, FL
US_SUPERCHARGE
4 DCFC
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Fort Lauderdale (Holman Motorcars)
Fort Lauderdale, FL
ABM
3 DCFC
Grieco Chevrolet Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale, FL
EV Connect
2 DCFC
Sonesta Ft. Lauderdale Beach
Fort Lauderdale, FL
US_SUPERCHARGE
2 DCFC
Fort Lauderdale Nissan
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Non-Networked
1 DCFC
FPL EVOLUTION BRIGHTLINE 11
Fort Lauderdale, FL
ChargePoint Network
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Network: 5
US_SUPERCHARGE: 2
Non-Networked: 1
EV Connect: 1
Tesla: 1
ABM: 1
BP_PULSE: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 66.1 | 0 | $23.14 | $10.58 |
| Efficient EV | 55.1 | 0 | $19.29 | $8.82 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 88.2 | 1 | $30.86 | $14.11 |
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% 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.
Origin
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Morning in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday
Local time
11:12 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 2 to 8 mph
23% chance
Live forecast
Fire Weather Watch
Fire Weather Watch issued April 19 at 8:20AM EDT until April 20 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 19 at 5:28AM EDT until April 19 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Destination
New Smyrna Beach, FL
Morning in New Smyrna Beach on Sunday
Local time
11:12 AM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Partly Sunny
NW 5 to 10 mph
4% chance
Live forecast
Fire Weather Watch
Fire Weather Watch issued April 19 at 8:20AM EDT until April 20 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 19 at 5:28AM EDT until April 19 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee 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 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 12m 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.
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...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
$25
near mile 197.6
Caution: Pavement Project- Playalinda District
Park Closure: Limited Access to Apollo District Parking Lots 2 and 3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 94% of the journey on major roadways like I 95 and Florida's Turnpike. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 119.8 miles on I 95, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent highway travel. The road profile is largely consistent, emphasizing speed and directness over varied scenery. You'll be navigating expressways for the vast majority of your time behind the wheel.
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: 119.8 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 9.8 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 16 significant decision points across 220.4 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 94.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 95.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 New Smyrna Beach, 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 →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).
Arriving in New Smyrna Beach, FL
Full guide →In New Smyrna Beach, a city in Volusia County of Florida, blue skies meet 13 mi (21 km) of white sand on what has been named one of the world's "best surf beaches" by Surf magazine and National Geographic. New Smyrna Beach lays claim to the best Florida offers — excellent backwater, offshore fishing, golf, historical sites, cultural events, and eclectic shopping and dining experiences along Flagler Avenue and Canal Street. Although the beach is the "shark bite capital of the world," don't let that discourage you from visiting the beach and having a good time.
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 4h 12m. Total distance: 220.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 12m 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 119.8 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.
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 New Smyrna Beach, 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 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; at 95.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Canaveral National Seashore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.4 hours — manageable with a long break at New Smyrna Beach, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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