Fort Lauderdale to South Brooksville is 264.8 miles and takes about 5h 15m via Florida's Turnpike and FL 50, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, moving from the southern part of the state up toward the center. With a high percentage of highway driving, expect a fairly straightforward trip, mostly covering ground efficiently. It's a good option if you're looking for a direct route without too 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
132.4 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 32m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
204.3 mi
3h 41m
FL 50
41.5 mi
59m
West Colonial Drive
6.7 mi
10m
Northwest 9th Avenue
2.9 mi
5m
South Powerline Road
2.4 mi
4m
Cortez Boulevard
1.6 mi
2m
Powerline Road
1.1 mi
2m
South Pompano Parkway
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 South Brooksville, 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
6.7 mi·10 min·West Colonial Drive
Use the left lane.
15
Continue on FL 50
42 mi·59 min·FL 50
16
Turn left onto FL 50
1.3 mi·2 min·Cortez Boulevard
17
Continue on FL 50
0.2 mi·29 sec·Cortez Boulevard
18
Arrive at destination
FL 50
Trip Plan
Since this drive can be completed in about 5 hours, you have the flexibility to leave anytime that suits your schedule, though an early morning departure will help you avoid potential afternoon traffic. Plan for one main stop, perhaps midway or closer to the end of the Florida's Turnpike segment, to stretch your legs and refuel. Watch for the transition from the Turnpike to FL 50; this is where the driving will become less about high-speed cruising and more about navigating local roads. Given the estimated fuel cost of $41, ensure your tank is full before you begin, especially before entering longer highway stretches.
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 132.4 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL, or about 2h 32m 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 58 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.4 miles or 2h 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near South Brooksville, 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 264.8 miles and 5h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 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 10
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
$42.58 one way
$85.15 round trip
$4.08/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$46.44
$92.89
premium
$4.78
$49.85
$99.71
diesel
$6.28
$65.43
$130.86
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
$43
Tolls
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.4
0
$27.80
$12.71
Efficient EV
66.2
0
$23.17
$10.59
EV Truck/SUV
105.9
1
$37.07
$16.95
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 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
6:51 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 2:34AM EDT until October 22 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 2:26AM EDT until October 22 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Destination
South Brooksville, FL
Morning
in South Brooksville on Friday
Local time
6:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Sunny
NNE 14 to 18 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 2:34AM EDT until October 22 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 2:26AM EDT until October 22 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
64°F
Dundee, FL
132 mi in
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
5 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
5h 15m 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 drive is predominantly highway, with 93% of the route utilizing major roads. You'll encounter a long stretch of 204.3 miles on Florida's Turnpike, which means you'll be on this highway for a significant portion of your travel. After this long highway segment, you'll transition to surface roads like FL 50 and West Colonial Drive, likely noticing a change in traffic flow and exit frequency as you approach your destination.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 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 FL 50. 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 10 significant decision points across 264.8 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
132 ft2 ft
Total Climb
175 ft
Total Descent
63 ft
Highest Point
132 ft
~208.1 mi in
Elevation Range
130 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Fort Lauderdale, FL and South Brooksville, FL, road signs point toward Clermont and Winter Garden.
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 5h 15m. Total distance: 264.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). 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 South Brooksville, 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at South Brooksville, FL before the return drive.
