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Trip from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Redington Shores, FL

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 57m

Distance

259 mi

417 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$41

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 44m ★
6 AM
4h 57m
8 AM
5h 24m
10 AM
5h 7m
12 PM
5h 4m
3 PM
5h 8m
5 PM
5h 23m
8 PM
4h 49m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city ​​in Broward County, Florida, United States

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Wikimedia Commons

town in Pinellas County, Florida, United States of America

Redington Shores, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Fort Lauderdale to Redington Shores is 259 miles and takes about 4 hours 57 minutes via I-75 and the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, moving from the southeastern part of the state to the western coast. With 87% of the drive on highways, expect a straightforward path that's mostly cruising. It's a single-day trip, making it ideal for a quick getaway or a move.

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

129.5 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 23m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 75 209.2 mi 3h 44m
Sunshine Skyway Bridge 14.3 mi 16m
Port Everglades Expressway 11.5 mi 13m
I 275 5.7 mi 7m
Tyrone Boulevard North 3.4 mi 6m
Gulf Boulevard 2.5 mi 5m
5th Avenue North 2.4 mi 4m
Bay Pines Boulevard 1.9 mi 3m
Longest stretch: I 75 — 209.2 mi, about 3h 44m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fort Lauderdale, FL and Redington Shores, FL.

1

Start on SR 842

1.6 mi · 3 min · East Broward Boulevard
2

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Toward I 95 South: Miami
3

Keep slight right at fork

2.2 mi · 3 min
Toward I 595: Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale - Hollywood International Airport Use the slight right lane.
4

Keep slight right at fork

1.0 mi · 2 min
Toward I 595 West Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
5

Merge onto I 595

1.4 mi · 1 min · Port Everglades Expressway
6

Keep slight right at fork onto I 595

10 mi · 11 min · Port Everglades Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Merge onto I 75

209 mi · 3 hr 44 min · I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit onto I 275

5.7 mi · 7 min · I 275
Exit 228 Toward I 275 North: Saint Petersburg Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 19 sec
10

Merge onto I 275; US 19

14 mi · 16 min · Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 39 sec
Exit 20 Toward 31st Street South Use the slight left lane.
12

Keep slight left at fork

161 ft · 9 sec
Toward Winery, Treasure Island, Tropicana Field
13

Turn left onto 31st Street South

1.2 mi · 2 min · 31st Street South
14

Turn left onto FL 595

2.4 mi · 4 min · 5th Avenue North
15

Turn right onto US-19 ALT

3.4 mi · 6 min · Tyrone Boulevard North
16

Continue on US-19 ALT

1.9 mi · 3 min · Bay Pines Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
17

Turn slight left

0.5 mi · 47 sec
Toward SR 666: Madeira Beach, Redington Beach
18

Continue on FL 666

0.1 mi · 17 sec · Tom Suart Causeway
19

Continue on FL 666

0.9 mi · 1 min · Tom Stuart Causeway
Use the left / straight lanes.
20

Turn right onto FL 699

2.5 mi · 5 min · Gulf Boulevard
Use the right lane.
21

Turn right onto Forest Hills Drive

176 ft · 14 sec · Forest Hills Drive
22

Continue on Forest Hills Drive

168 ft · 10 sec · Forest Hills Drive
23

Arrive at destination

Forest Hills Drive

Trip Plan

For this 4-hour 57-minute drive, leaving in the morning will give you plenty of time to reach Redington Shores comfortably. Since it's a single-day trip with only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you approach the longer stretch on I-75, and factor in the estimated $41 fuel cost. A practical tip is to use the Port Everglades Expressway efficiently to connect to I-75 early in your trip.

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 129.5 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL, or about 2h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 209.2 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 57 miles or 1h 6m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 129.5 miles or 2h 23m 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 52m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Redington Shores, 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 259 miles and 4h 57m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 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 75 for about 209.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Warm Mineral Springs, FL, FL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Warm Mineral Springs, FL

130 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

Bonita Springs, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 57 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Cape Coral, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 129.5 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 209.2 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 1.8 and 246.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
1.8 mi into trip | ~3m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 595: Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale - Hollywood International Airport

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 595: Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale...
7
3.9 mi into trip | ~7m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 595 West

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 595 West
7
225.6 mi into trip | ~4h 6m in | I 275

Take the exit onto I 275 toward I 275 North: Saint Petersburg

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 228 Toward I 275 North: Saint Petersburg
7
245.9 mi into trip | ~4h 31m in

Take the exit toward 31st Street South

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Exit 20 Toward 31st Street South
7
246.2 mi into trip | ~4h 32m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Winery, Treasure Island, Tropicana Field

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward Winery, Treasure Island, Tropicana Field

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$41.23 one way

$82.45 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 91 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.40 $44.85 $89.69
premium $4.72 $48.16 $96.32
diesel $5.61 $57.18 $114.37

Estimated Tolls: $1.00

Sunshine Skyway Bridge (14.3 mi) $1.00

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

$41

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$67–$92

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 90.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 77.7 0 $27.20 $12.43
Efficient EV 64.8 0 $22.66 $10.36
EV Truck/SUV 103.6 1 $36.26 $16.58

Gas CO2

91 kg

EV CO2

30 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

9:29 AM

EDT

Current temp

84°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Redington Shores, FL

Morning in Redington Shores on Tuesday

Local time

9:29 AM

EDT

Current temp

74°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

10 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 57m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This route is primarily highway driving, with 87% of the 259 miles on high-speed roads like I-75. You'll experience a long stretch of 209.2 miles on I-75 before transitioning to surface roads. Expect frequent exits and merges as you navigate through various parts of Florida on this section. The Sunshine Skyway Bridge is a notable feature of this drive.

87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 209.2 mi on I 75.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Sunshine Skyway Bridge. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.8 miles in.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 259 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 1.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 225.6 miles (I 275): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.

On the drive from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Redington Shores, FL, road signs begin pointing toward 31St Street South along the way.

31St Street South

245.9 mi in | ~4h 31m

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

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 57m. Total distance: 259 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 209.2 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $1.00 in tolls one way, starting with Sunshine Skyway Bridge. 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 Redington Shores, 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 1.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 225.6 miles (I 275): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Redington Shores, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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