Gonzalez, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL is 652.9 miles and takes about 11 hours 54 minutes via I 10 and Florida's Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $100 and likely requiring an overnight stop. This is a long-haul drive primarily within Florida, taking you across the state. While mostly highway driving, it's a significant distance best split over two days. Plan for a full day of travel, even if you're accustomed to long drives.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
3 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
326.5 miles from Gonzalez, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
285.7 mi
5h 6m
Florida's Turnpike
240.6 mi
4h 19m
I 75
107.2 mi
1h 54m
I 95
7.2 mi
8m
US 29
5.5 mi
9m
West Broward Boulevard
1.8 mi
3m
Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
1.4 mi
2m
North Andrews Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 285.7 mi, about 5h 6m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 100 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,400 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,889
Quietest
2 AM
~157 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 102 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 Gonzalez, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL.
1
Start on 3rd Avenue
82 ft·9 sec·3rd Avenue
2
Turn left onto CR 749
0.3 mi·42 sec·Old Chemstrand Road
3
At end of road, turn left onto US 29
5.5 mi·9 min·US 29
4
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·20 sec
5
Merge onto I 10
286 mi·5 hr 6 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi·37 sec
Exit 296AToward I-75 South: Tampa
7
Merge onto I 75
107 mi·1 hr 54 min·I 75
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit onto Florida's Turnpike
241 mi·4 hr 19 min·Florida's Turnpike
Exit 328Toward Florida's Turnpike South, OrlandoUse the slight left / straight lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 67Toward Coconut Creek Parkway, Martin Luther King BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
251 ft·15 sec
Toward East Martin Luther King Boulevard, Atlantic Boulevard
11
Turn left onto Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
1.4 mi·2 min·Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
12
Turn left onto Northwest 16th Avenue
0.1 mi·25 sec·Northwest 16th Avenue
13
Turn right onto North Andrews Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·North Andrews Avenue
14
Turn left onto SR 814
497 ft·16 sec·West Atlantic Boulevard
Use the left lane.
15
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·58 sec
Toward I 95 South: Miami
16
Merge onto I 95
7.2 mi·8 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 27Toward SR 842: Broward Boulevard, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn left onto SR 842
1.8 mi·3 min·West Broward Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on SR 842
0.2 mi·35 sec·East Broward Boulevard
Use the left lane.
20
Arrive at destination
SR 842
Trip Plan
Given the nearly 12-hour drive time, this trip is best spread over two days. Aim to depart early in the morning to maximize your daylight driving. With 3 recommended stops, you'll have opportunities to rest and refuel along the way. Consider breaking the drive around the halfway point to avoid fatigue. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially on the longer stretches where services might be less frequent.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 326.5 miles from Gonzalez, FL, or about 5h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 285.7 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 144 miles or 2h 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 326.5 miles or 5h 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 326.5 miles or 5h 55m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 10h 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fort Lauderdale, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Gonzalez, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Gonzalez, FL
Aim for roughly 326 miles and 6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Fort Lauderdale, FL
Aim for roughly 326 miles and 6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 144 miles from Gonzalez, FL.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 3 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 10 for about 285.7 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 6 and 650.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
6 mi into trip|~10m in|I 10
Merge onto I 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
399.3 mi into trip|~7h 13m in|Florida's Turnpike
Take the exit onto Florida's Turnpike toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 328
Toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando
8
639.9 mi into trip|~11h 32m in
Take the exit toward Coconut Creek Parkway, Martin Luther King Boulevard
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 67
Toward Coconut Creek Parkway, Martin Luther Kin...
6
640.5 mi into trip|~11h 34m in
Keep slight left at fork toward East Martin Luther King Boulevard, Atlantic Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward East Martin Luther King Boulevard, Atlan...
8
650.5 mi into trip|~11h 48m in
Take the exit toward SR 842: Broward Boulevard, Downtown
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 27
Toward SR 842: Broward Boulevard, Downtown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$104.98 one way
$209.96 round trip
$4.08/gal25.4 MPG avg228 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.44
$114.18
$228.36
premium
$4.78
$122.82
$245.63
diesel
$6.18
$158.83
$317.66
Estimated Tolls: $16.84
Florida's Turnpike
(240.6 mi)$16.84
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
$105
Tolls
$17
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$252–$362
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 228.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $69 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
195.9
2
$68.55
$31.34
Efficient EV
163.2
1
$57.13
$26.12
EV Truck/SUV
261.2
3
$91.41
$41.79
Gas CO2
228 kg
EV CO2
76 kg (67% less)
Plan for 2 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 18, 2026
Origin
Gonzalez, FL
Late night
in Gonzalez on Monday
Local time
1:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Clear
NE 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 18 at 2:56AM EDT until October 20 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 18 at 2:21AM EDT until October 18 at 11:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Destination
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Late night
in Fort Lauderdale on Monday
Local time
2:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
N 17 mph65% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 18 at 2:56AM EDT until October 20 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 18 at 2:21AM EDT until October 18 at 11:00PM 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
Time zone
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
22 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
11h 54m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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.
Gulf Islands National Seashore
National Seashore
Millions of visitors are drawn to the Gulf of America for Gulf Islands National Seashore's emerald coast waters, magnificent white beaches, fertile marshes and historical landscapes. Come explore with...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is almost entirely highway, with 99% of the drive on major roads like I 10 and Florida's Turnpike. You'll experience a longest stretch of 285.7 miles on I 10 before transitioning to other main arteries. Expect a consistent flow of traffic and numerous exits, especially as you approach more populated areas.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 285.7 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and Florida's Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6 miles in near I 10.
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 16 significant decision points across 652.9 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 6 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 399.3 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 639.9 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
161 ft2 ft
Total Climb
156 ft
Total Descent
309 ft
Highest Point
161 ft
~280.4 mi in
Elevation Range
159 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Gonzalez, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike South and Orlando.
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
The longest stretch is about 285.7 miles on I 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 326 miles on day one.
Expect about $16.84 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.
Yes — we found about 61 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 Fort Lauderdale, 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 3 meaningful breaks. There are 61 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 6 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 399.3 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 639.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Gulf Islands National Seashore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 11.9 hours each way, a round trip means 23.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Fort Lauderdale, FL before the return drive.
