Fort Lauderdale to Wekiwa Springs is 222.2 miles and takes about 4h 16m via Florida's Turnpike and I-4, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Florida, taking you from the southern part of the state up towards the Orlando area. It's a fairly straightforward drive, largely on major highways, making it a good option for a single-day trip. Expect a mostly highway experience, which can be efficient for covering ground quickly if that's your priority. This trip is best suited for travelers looking for a direct and uncomplicated way to get from point A to point B.
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
111.1 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
191 mi
3h 27m
I 4
16.7 mi
20m
Northwest 9th Avenue
2.9 mi
5m
South Powerline Road
2.4 mi
4m
Wekiva Springs Road
1.9 mi
3m
Powerline Road
1.1 mi
2m
South Pompano Parkway
1 mi
1m
Northwest 31st Avenue
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 191 mi, about 3h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Lauderdale, FL and Wekiwa Springs, 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
191 mi·3 hr 27 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·54 sec
Exit 259Toward I 4: Orlando, TampaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward I 4 East: Downtown Orlando
13
Merge onto I 4
17 mi·20 min·I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·26 sec
Exit 94Toward FL 434: Longwood, Winter SpringsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn straight onto FL 434
0.9 mi·1 min·FL 434
Use the left lane.
16
Turn right onto Wekiva Springs Road
1.9 mi·3 min·Wekiva Springs Road
17
Turn left onto Sweetwater Boulevard South
0.4 mi·1 min·Sweetwater Boulevard South
18
Turn left onto Green Lake Drive
458 ft·22 sec·Green Lake Drive
19
At end of road, turn right onto Blue Lake Drive
371 ft·21 sec·Blue Lake Drive
20
Turn left onto Green Lake Circle
0.1 mi·23 sec·Green Lake Circle
21
Arrive at destination
Green Lake Circle
Trip Plan
For this 4h 16m drive, leaving early in the morning from Fort Lauderdale is your best bet to avoid traffic, especially as you near the Orlando region. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $35, this is easily a same-day trip. Plan to make your stop around the halfway point or when you feel the need to stretch your legs. Given the significant portion of the drive on Florida's Turnpike, be aware of potential tolls and ensure you have a comfortable way to pay them, as this is a primary artery for the majority of your travel.
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 111.1 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL, or about 2h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 191 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 49 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 111.1 miles or 2h 9m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wekiwa Springs, 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 222.2 miles and 4h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 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 191 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 8.7 and 222.1 — 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
201.1 mi into trip|~3h 46m in
Take the exit toward I 4: Orlando, Tampa
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 259
Toward I 4: Orlando, Tampa
8
218.5 mi into trip|~4h 8m in
Take the exit toward FL 434: Longwood, Winter Springs
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 94
Toward FL 434: Longwood, Winter Springs
6
222.1 mi into trip|~4h 16m in|Blue Lake Drive
At end of road, turn right onto Blue Lake Drive
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.64 one way
$67.27 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg78 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$36.91
$73.82
premium
$4.55
$39.80
$79.61
diesel
$4.80
$41.96
$83.91
Estimated Tolls: $13.37
Florida's Turnpike
(191 mi)$13.37
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
$34
Tolls
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66.7
0
$23.33
$10.67
Efficient EV
55.6
0
$19.44
$8.89
EV Truck/SUV
88.9
1
$31.11
$14.22
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Morning
in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday
Local time
6:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
91°F
Partly Sunny
SE 13 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 3:41PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Destination
Wekiwa Springs, FL
Morning
in Wekiwa Springs on Sunday
Local time
6:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
94°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 10 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 3:41PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee 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 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 16m 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?
You'll spend about 94% of this 222.2-mile drive on highways, primarily Florida's Turnpike and I-4. The longest continuous stretch on the turnpike is 191 miles, so be prepared for extended highway cruising. As you get closer to Wekiwa Springs, you'll transition from the turnpike and I-4 onto surface roads like Northwest 9th Avenue. Expect a high volume of exits and potential for urban merging as you approach the Orlando metropolitan area.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 191 mi on Florida's Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and I 4. 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 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 14 significant decision points across 222.2 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 201.1 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
107 ft2 ft
Total Climb
129 ft
Total Descent
82 ft
Highest Point
107 ft
~206.4 mi in
Elevation Range
105 ft
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 Wekiwa Springs, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Tampa along the way.
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 16m. Total distance: 222.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 191 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $13.37 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 Wekiwa Springs, 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 201.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Wekiwa Springs, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
