This 144.8-mile drive from Fort Myers Shores to Hollywood, Florida, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 2 hours and 41 minutes. The route is predominantly highway-focused, with 95% of the drive on major interstates like I-75 and I-95. Expect a fuel cost of around $23 for this trip. Given its relatively short duration and highway nature, this route is ideal for a one-day excursion, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. It's a practical option for moving between two points within Florida, designed for efficient travel.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
72.4 miles from Fort Myers Shores, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 20m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
121.7 mi
2h 10m
Port Everglades Expressway
12.4 mi
14m
I 95
3.8 mi
4m
Palm Beach Boulevard
3.5 mi
5m
Hollywood Boulevard
1.1 mi
1m
River Ridge Boulevard
0.3 mi
1m
SR 820
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 121.7 mi, about 2h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Myers Shores, FL and Hollywood, FL.
1
Start on River Ridge Boulevard
0.3 mi·1 min·River Ridge Boulevard
2
At end of road, turn right onto FL 80
3.5 mi·5 min·Palm Beach Boulevard
3
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 75 SouthUse the straight lane.
4
Merge onto I 75
122 mi·2 hr 10 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 595
12 mi·14 min·Port Everglades Expressway
Exit 19Toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Springs, Fort LauderdaleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 10BToward I 95 South: MiamiUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward I 95 South: Miami
8
Merge onto I 95
3.8 mi·4 min·I 95
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Exit 20Toward SR 820: Hollywood BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
10
Turn left onto SR 820
0.6 mi·1 min·Hollywood Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on SR 820
391 ft·5 sec·SR 820
12
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 820
0.5 mi·38 sec·Hollywood Boulevard
Use the right lane.
13
Arrive at destination
SR 820
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour and 41-minute drive, starting early can help you avoid any potential traffic, especially as you get closer to the South Florida metropolitan area. With only one recommended stop and a highway share of 95%, you can easily complete this trip without needing to break it up. The estimated fuel cost is $23, so ensure your tank is full before you depart to maximize uninterrupted driving time. A practical tip for this route is to be aware of the lane changes required when transitioning between I-75, the Port Everglades Expressway, and I-95, as these can be busy junctions.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 72.4 miles from Fort Myers Shores, FL, or about 1h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 121.7 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 32 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72.4 miles or 1h 20m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hollywood, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fort Myers Shores, 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 Myers Shores, FL
This is one driving day of about 144.8 miles and 2h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Fort Myers Shores, 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 121.7 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.8 and 144.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
3.8 mi into trip|~6m in
Take the exit toward I 75 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 75 South
9
126 mi into trip|~2h 18m in|I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 19
Toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Spr...
7
138.4 mi into trip|~2h 32m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South: Miami
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 10B
Toward I 95 South: Miami
7
143.2 mi into trip|~2h 39m in
Take the exit toward SR 820: Hollywood Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 20
Toward SR 820: Hollywood Boulevard
7
144.2 mi into trip|~2h 41m in|SR 820 / Hollywood Boulevard
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 820 / Hollywood Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.05 one way
$46.10 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg51 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$25.07
$50.14
premium
$4.72
$26.92
$53.85
diesel
$5.61
$31.97
$63.94
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
43.4
0
$15.20
$6.95
Efficient EV
36.2
0
$12.67
$5.79
EV Truck/SUV
57.9
0
$20.27
$9.27
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 17, 2026
Origin
Fort Myers Shores, FL
Morning
in Fort Myers Shores on Sunday
Local time
8:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hollywood, FL
Morning
in Hollywood on Sunday
Local time
8:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
E 7 mph20% chanceLive forecast
77°F
Naples, FL
72 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
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
2h 41m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Primarily a highway-focused drive, you'll spend most of your time on major interstates, covering 95% of the distance on these fast-paced roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a significant 121.7 miles on I-75, meaning you can settle in for a long period of cruising. The transition involves moving from I-75 to the Port Everglades Expressway and then onto I-95, indicating a shift in the major thoroughfares as you approach your destination. This route is built for covering ground efficiently rather than for scenic detours.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 121.7 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 3.8 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 144.8 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 3.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 126 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 138.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
On the drive from Fort Myers Shores, FL to Hollywood, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Lauderdale along the way.
Hollywood is a city in Florida, located between Fort Lauderdale and Miami. With a population of 153,000 people (2022), Hollywood is a relatively small city that retains an old, laid-back, Florida feel to it compared to the larger cities in the area.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 41m. Total distance: 144.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 121.7 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Hollywood, 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 3.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 126 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 138.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Hollywood, FL before heading back.
