Fort Lauderdale to Ruskin is 242.4 miles and takes about 4 hours 27 minutes via I-75, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, taking you from the southeastern part of the state up through the center. It's a straightforward, mostly highway drive, ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without many detours. Plan for a single day of driving, using the most direct route available.
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
121.2 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
221.7 mi
3h 57m
Port Everglades Expressway
11.5 mi
13m
College Avenue
3 mi
4m
East Broward Boulevard
1.6 mi
3m
Tamiami Trail
0.5 mi
1m
Sun City Center Boulevard
0.1 mi
<1m
Shell Point Road East
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 221.7 mi, about 3h 57m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 92 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,831 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,554
Quietest
2 AM
~187 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Lauderdale, FL and Ruskin, 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 AirportUse the slight right lane.
4
Keep slight right at fork
1.0 mi·2 min
Toward I 595 WestUse 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
222 mi·3 hr 57 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·50 sec
Exit 240Toward FL 674: Ruskin, Sun City CenterUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward Ruskin
10
Turn straight onto FL 674
0.1 mi·10 sec·Sun City Center Boulevard
11
Continue on FL 674
3.0 mi·4 min·College Avenue
12
Turn right onto US 41
0.5 mi·1 min·Tamiami Trail
13
Turn right onto Shell Point Road East
207 ft·11 sec·Shell Point Road East
14
Turn left
53 ft·3 sec
15
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour, 27-minute drive, leaving Fort Lauderdale in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. Since it's a single-day trip, you can be flexible with your schedule, but consider a brief stop around the halfway point to stretch your legs. The majority of your driving will be on I-75, so keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 221.7-mile stretch. The estimated fuel cost is $37, so factor that into your budget.
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 121.2 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL, or about 2h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 221.7 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 53 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 121.2 miles or 2h 15m 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 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ruskin, 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 242.4 miles and 4h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 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 221.7 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.8 and 238.1 — 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
6
6.3 mi into trip|~11m in|I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
16.4 mi into trip|~22m in|I 75
Merge onto I 75
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
238.1 mi into trip|~4h 20m in
Take the exit toward FL 674: Ruskin, Sun City Center
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 240
Toward FL 674: Ruskin, Sun City Center
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.97 one way
$77.95 round trip
$4.08/gal25.4 MPG avg85 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$42.52
$85.03
premium
$4.78
$45.64
$91.27
diesel
$6.28
$59.89
$119.79
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
72.7
0
$25.45
$11.64
Efficient EV
60.6
0
$21.21
$9.70
EV Truck/SUV
97
1
$33.94
$15.51
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
28 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Morning
in Fort Lauderdale on Friday
Local time
7:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NE 17 to 22 mph19% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 7:08AM CDT until October 20 at 6:00AM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 2:34AM EDT until October 22 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Destination
Ruskin, FL
Morning
in Ruskin on Friday
Local time
7:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Sunny
NE 14 to 20 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 7:08AM CDT until October 20 at 6:00AM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 2:34AM EDT until October 22 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne 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
3 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 27m 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.
De Soto National Memorial
National Memorial
In May 1539, Conquistador Hernando de Soto’s army of soldiers, hired mercenaries, craftsmen, and clergy made landfall in Tampa Bay. They were met with fierce resistance of indigenous people protecting...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 225.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect to be on the highway for about 96% of this 242.4-mile trip. The longest continuous stretch on I-75 covers 221.7 miles, meaning you'll have long periods of consistent cruising. You'll transition from highway driving onto surface roads, specifically College Avenue, as you approach your destination in Ruskin. Given the high highway percentage, be prepared for frequent exits and potential merging traffic as you get closer to urban areas.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 221.7 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Port Everglades Expressway. 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 Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 242.4 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 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 6.3 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 27m. Total distance: 242.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 221.7 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 15 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 Ruskin, 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 15 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 6.3 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — De Soto National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Ruskin, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
