Fort Lauderdale to Tierra Verde is 247.5 miles and takes about 4h 36m via I 75, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Florida, moving from the southeast to the west coast. With 92% of the trip on the highway, expect a fairly direct path. The Sunshine Skyway Bridge is a notable segment of this route. This trip is best suited for a single day, allowing you to arrive at your destination with plenty of time.
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
123.7 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
209.2 mi
3h 44m
Port Everglades Expressway
11.5 mi
13m
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
11.4 mi
13m
I 275
5.7 mi
7m
Pinellas Bayway
3.9 mi
6m
East Broward Boulevard
1.6 mi
3m
US 19
0.3 mi
<1m
Madonna Boulevard
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 209.2 mi, about 3h 44m
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 Tierra Verde, 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
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 228Toward I 275 North: Saint PetersburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·19 sec
10
Merge onto I 275; US 19
11 mi·13 min·Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit onto US 19
0.3 mi·30 sec·US 19
Exit 17Toward FL 682 West, US 19 North: Pinellas Bayway, St Pete BeachUse the slight left lane.
12
Turn left onto FL 682
2.3 mi·4 min·Pinellas Bayway
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn left onto FL 679
1.6 mi·2 min·Pinellas Bayway
Use the left lane.
14
Enter roundabout onto Madonna Boulevard
67 ft·1 sec·Madonna Boulevard
15
Continue on Madonna Boulevard
0.1 mi·33 sec·Madonna Boulevard
16
Turn right onto 3rd Street West
0.1 mi·25 sec·3rd Street West
17
Arrive at destination
3rd Street West
Trip Plan
Aim to depart Fort Lauderdale in the morning to make the most of the daylight for your 4.5-hour drive. You'll cover a long stretch of 209.2 miles on I 75, so plan for your only stop to be a necessary one for fuel or a quick break. The fuel cost is estimated at $39, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before departing. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility in your timing, but starting early will give you a relaxed arrival in Tierra Verde.
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 123.7 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL, or about 2h 17m 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 54 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123.7 miles or 2h 17m 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 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tierra Verde, 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 247.5 miles and 4h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 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.
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 1.8 and 243 — 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.
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
8
243 mi into trip|~4h 27m in|US 19
Take the exit onto US 19 toward FL 682 West, US 19 North: Pinellas Bayway, St Pete Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 17
Toward FL 682 West, US 19 North: Pinellas Baywa...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.79 one way
$79.59 round trip
$4.08/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$43.41
$86.82
premium
$4.78
$46.60
$93.19
diesel
$6.28
$61.15
$122.31
Estimated Tolls: $0.80
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
(11.4 mi)$0.80
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
$40
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.3
0
$25.99
$11.88
Efficient EV
61.9
0
$21.66
$9.90
EV Truck/SUV
99
1
$34.65
$15.84
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 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
Late night
in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday
Local time
2:03 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
Tierra Verde, FL
Late night
in Tierra Verde on Sunday
Local time
2:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Sunny
NE 17 to 21 mph3% 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
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
4 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 36m 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...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 230.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is predominantly highway driving, with 92% of the 247.5 miles on high-speed roads like I 75. You'll experience a significant stretch of 209.2 miles solely on I 75 before transitioning to surface roads closer to your destination. Expect dense exits and merging traffic as you approach and depart urban areas.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 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 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 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 247.5 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 36m. Total distance: 247.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). 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 $0.80 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.
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 Tierra Verde, 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 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Tierra Verde, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
