Traveling from Fort Lauderdale to Tavares covers 236.6 miles and takes approximately 4 hours and 37 minutes. This highway-focused route is straightforward enough to complete in a single day, making it an efficient way to traverse the state. You will rely primarily on Florida's Turnpike, the Western Beltway, and the Orange Blossom Trail to reach your destination. Budget about $40 for fuel to cover the trip comfortably. Whether you are heading out for business or a change of scenery, this drive provides a direct link between South and Central Florida without the need for an overnight stay.
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
118.3 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
199.2 mi
3h 35m
Western Beltway
10.4 mi
11m
Orange Blossom Trail
7.2 mi
10m
CR Old 441
3.2 mi
5m
Northwest 9th Avenue
2.9 mi
5m
East 5th Avenue
2.5 mi
5m
South Powerline Road
2.4 mi
4m
Powerline Road
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 199.2 mi, about 3h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Lauderdale, FL and Tavares, 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
199 mi·3 hr 35 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 267AToward FL 429 Toll: Apopka, Tampa, UF Research & Education Center, Winter GardenUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
1.3 mi·2 min
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
13
Merge onto FL 429 Toll
10 mi·11 min·Western Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·16 sec
Exit 34Toward US 441, CR 437: Orange Blossom Trail, Plymouth Sorrento RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
368 ft·15 sec
Toward Orange Blossom TrailUse the left lane.
16
Continue on SR 429 Connector Road
0.2 mi·27 sec·SR 429 Connector Road
17
Turn right onto US 441
7.2 mi·10 min·Orange Blossom Trail
18
Turn slight left onto CR 500A
1.0 mi·1 min·Old Highway 441
19
Continue on CR Old 441
1.0 mi·2 min·South Highland Street
20
Turn left onto CR Old 441
2.5 mi·5 min·East 5th Avenue
21
Turn left onto CR Old 441
3.1 mi·5 min·CR Old 441
22
Turn slight left onto CR Old 441
399 ft·13 sec·CR Old 441
23
Turn left onto North Saint Clair Abrams Avenue
349 ft·17 sec·North Saint Clair Abrams Avenue
24
Turn left onto CR Old 441
56 ft·1 sec·East Alfred Street
25
Arrive at destination
CR Old 441
Trip Plan
Since this is a roughly 4.5-hour trip, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Leaving early in the day is your best strategy to avoid potential congestion on the Turnpike during peak travel times. Because the route is dominated by long highway stretches, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before starting the 199.2-mile leg on the Turnpike to ensure you do not have to exit unexpectedly. Flexibility is a major advantage here, as the direct nature of the route allows you to easily adjust your departure time based on your own schedule. Keep your payment method ready for tolls, as this route relies heavily on major toll-road infrastructure.
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 118.3 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL, or about 2h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 199.2 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 52 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 118.3 miles or 2h 16m 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 Tavares, 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 236.6 miles and 4h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 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 199.2 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 9.8 and 221.4 — 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
209.3 mi into trip|~3h 55m in
Take the exit toward FL 429 Toll: Apopka, Tampa, UF Research & Education Center, Winter Garden
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 267A
Toward FL 429 Toll: Apopka, Tampa, UF Research...
6
209.5 mi into trip|~3h 55m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8
221.2 mi into trip|~4h 10m in
Take the exit toward US 441, CR 437: Orange Blossom Trail, Plymouth Sorrento Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 34
Toward US 441, CR 437: Orange Blossom Trail, Pl...
8
221.4 mi into trip|~4h 10m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Orange Blossom Trail
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward Orange Blossom Trail
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.66 one way
$75.32 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$40.97
$81.93
premium
$4.72
$43.99
$87.99
diesel
$5.61
$52.24
$104.48
Estimated Tolls: $13.94
Florida's Turnpike
(199.2 mi)$13.94
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
$38
Tolls
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71
0
$24.84
$11.36
Efficient EV
59.2
0
$20.70
$9.46
EV Truck/SUV
94.6
1
$33.12
$15.14
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Morning
in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday
Local time
10:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tavares, FL
Morning
in Tavares on Sunday
Local time
10:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°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
8 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 37m 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?
Expect a high-speed, interstate-heavy experience, as 85% of this journey takes place on major highways. You will spend the vast majority of your time on Florida's Turnpike, which accounts for a significant 199.2-mile stretch of the trip. The road feels like a consistent, efficient grind that minimizes traffic lights and local intersections. As you transition from the Turnpike toward the Western Beltway and Orange Blossom Trail, the character of the road shifts from open interstate corridors to more localized highway travel. It is a functional, no-nonsense drive designed for speed and reliability.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 199.2 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 Western Beltway. 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 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 15 significant decision points across 236.6 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 209.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 209.5 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.
Between Fort Lauderdale, FL and Tavares, FL, road signs point toward Tampa, Uf Research & Education Center 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).
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 37m. Total distance: 236.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 199.2 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $13.94 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 Tavares, 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 209.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 209.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Tavares, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
