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Trip from Haines City, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 3m

Distance

201.5 mi

324 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$32

one way

EV Charging

Sparse

1 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 50m ★
6 AM
4h 3m
8 AM
4h 29m
10 AM
4h 12m
12 PM
4h 10m
3 PM
4h 14m
5 PM
4h 28m
8 PM
3h 56m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Polk County, Florida, United States of America

Haines City, FL

Wikimedia Commons

city ​​in Broward County, Florida, United States

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This straightforward 201.5-mile drive from Haines City to Fort Lauderdale is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 4 hours and 3 minutes. The route is predominantly highway, with 95% of it being high-speed roads, making it a focused journey. You'll primarily navigate Florida's Turnpike, FL 60, and US 27, with the longest uninterrupted stretch covering 125.3 miles on the Turnpike. With an estimated fuel cost of around $32, this drive offers a practical and efficient way to travel between these two Florida locations. Plan for one recommended stop along the way to break up the journey.

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

100.8 miles from Haines City, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 6m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Florida's Turnpike 125.3 mi 2h 15m
FL 60 46.5 mi 59m
US 27 8.7 mi 11m
I 95 7.2 mi 8m
FL 17 3.5 mi 5m
North 10th Street 2.7 mi 4m
West Broward Boulevard 1.8 mi 3m
Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard 1.4 mi 2m
Longest stretch: Florida's Turnpike — 125.3 mi, about 2h 15m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Haines City, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL.

1

Start on East Johnson Avenue

329 ft · 14 sec · East Johnson Avenue
2

Continue on North 13th Street

0.2 mi · 41 sec · North 13th Street
3

Turn right onto Stuart Avenue

260 ft · 7 sec · Stuart Avenue
4

Continue on Lily Avenue

500 ft · 15 sec · Lily Avenue
5

Turn left onto North 10th Street

2.7 mi · 4 min · North 10th Street
6

Continue on FL 17

3.5 mi · 5 min · FL 17
7

Turn right onto Main Street

508 ft · 10 sec · Main Street
8

Continue on Dundee Road

0.8 mi · 1 min · Dundee Road
9

Turn left onto US 27

8.7 mi · 11 min · US 27
Use the left lane.
10

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 32 sec
Use the left lane.
11

Merge onto FL 60

0.1 mi · 14 sec · FL 60
12

Continue on FL 60

46 mi · 59 min · FL 60
Use the left lane.
13

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 19 sec
Use the left lane.
14

Continue on this road

295 ft · 7 sec · this road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Toward Florida's Turnpike South: Miami Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Merge onto Florida's Turnpike

125 mi · 2 hr 15 min · Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 67 Toward Coconut Creek Parkway, Martin Luther King Boulevard Use the slight right lane.
18

Keep slight left at fork

251 ft · 15 sec
Toward East Martin Luther King Boulevard, Atlantic Boulevard
19

Turn left onto Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard

1.4 mi · 2 min · Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
20

Turn left onto Northwest 16th Avenue

0.1 mi · 25 sec · Northwest 16th Avenue
21

Turn right onto North Andrews Avenue

0.6 mi · 1 min · North Andrews Avenue
22

Turn left onto SR 814

497 ft · 16 sec · West Atlantic Boulevard
Use the left lane.
23

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 58 sec
Toward I 95 South: Miami
24

Merge onto I 95

7.2 mi · 8 min · I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 27 Toward SR 842: Broward Boulevard, Downtown Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26

Turn left onto SR 842

1.8 mi · 3 min · West Broward Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
27

Continue on SR 842

0.2 mi · 35 sec · East Broward Boulevard
Use the left lane.
28

Arrive at destination

SR 842

Trip Plan

Given the 4-hour duration and 201.5-mile distance, this trip is comfortably completed in one day. Aim to depart Haines City in the morning to avoid potential afternoon traffic, especially as you approach Fort Lauderdale. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost of approximately $32, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, particularly during the 125.3-mile segment on Florida's Turnpike, to ensure you have enough to reach your destination or a convenient refueling point. This route is designed for direct travel, so focus on efficient progress.

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 100.8 miles from Haines City, FL, or about 2h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 125.3 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 44 miles or 1h 1m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 100.8 miles or 2h 6m 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 16m

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 Haines City, 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 Haines City, FL

This is one driving day of about 201.5 miles and 4h 3m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Haines City, 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 125.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

county seat of Indian River County, Florida, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Vero Beach, FL

101 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Sebring, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Fort Pierce, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 100.8 miles from Haines City, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Florida's Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 125.3 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Coffee Stop

La Finca Coffee Shop

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Haines City, Florida

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 7:30 am–2 pm

+14075589131

Lake Wales Latte Lounge Coffee and Bookshop

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lake Wales, Florida

1.8 mi

Las Flores Coffee shop

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Haines City, Florida

1.9 mi

The Coffee Grove Corp

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour

Davenport, Florida

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+18634193212

Visit website

La Finca Coffee Shop

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Haines City, Florida

Hours: 7:30 am–2 pm

+14075589131

Lake Wales Latte Lounge Coffee and Bookshop

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 14.4

Lake Wales, Florida

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+18632968827

Visit website

Las Flores Coffee shop

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Haines City, Florida

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+14077292552

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 57.6

Okeechobee, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Haines City Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Haines City, Florida

Hours: 7 am–9:30 pm

Visit website

Joseph C. Carter Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 201.5

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+19548285411

Visit website

Escape Room PSL

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 115.1

Port St. Lucie, Florida

Hours: 4–10:30 pm

+17726266655

Visit website

Indian Creek Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 143.9

Jupiter, Florida

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+15617412400

Visit website

Wreck It Ft Laudy

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 201.5

Oakland Park, Florida

Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour Moderately mile 172.7

Delray Beach, Florida

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+15614950233

Visit website

Riverbend Park

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 143.9

Jupiter, Florida

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+15617411359

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 20

5 decision points cluster between mile 16.1 and 199 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
16.1 mi into trip | ~25m in

Take the exit

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
62.8 mi into trip | ~1h 25m in

Take the exit

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
8
63 mi into trip | ~1h 25m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Florida's Turnpike South: Miami

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Florida's Turnpike South: Miami
8
188.5 mi into trip | ~3h 41m 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...
8
199 mi into trip | ~3h 57m 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

$32.07 one way

$64.15 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 71 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.40 $34.89 $69.78
premium $4.72 $37.47 $74.94
diesel $5.61 $44.49 $88.98

Estimated Tolls: $8.77

Florida's Turnpike (125.3 mi) $8.77

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

$32

Tolls

$9

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$66–$91

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 70.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 60.4 0 $21.16 $9.67
Efficient EV 50.4 0 $17.63 $8.06
EV Truck/SUV 80.6 1 $28.21 $12.90

Gas CO2

71 kg

EV CO2

24 kg (66% 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

Haines City, FL

Morning in Haines City on Sunday

Local time

8:10 AM

EDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Morning in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday

Local time

8:10 AM

EDT

Current temp

82°F

Slight Chance Rain Showers

E 10 mph 20% chance Live forecast

Fire Weather Watch

Fire Weather Watch issued April 17 at 2:19PM EDT until April 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL

Fire Weather Watch

Fire Weather Watch issued April 17 at 2:19PM EDT until April 20 at 8:00PM 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.

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

21 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 3m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused experience for the majority of this 201.5-mile trip, as 95% of the route consists of high-speed roads. The journey begins with a substantial 125.3-mile stretch on Florida's Turnpike, setting a consistent pace. While the exact landscape isn't detailed, the profile suggests a drive where efficiency and forward momentum are key. You'll transition between Florida's Turnpike, FL 60, and US 27, offering some variation in the road's character but maintaining a generally swift and direct feel behind the wheel.

95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 125.3 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 FL 60. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 16.1 miles in.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 201.5 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 16.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 62.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 63 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.

On the drive from Haines City, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Florida's Turnpike South: Miami along the way.

Florida's Turnpike South: Miami

63 mi in | ~1h 25m

About the Cities

Starting in Haines City, FL

Full guide →

Haines City is a city in Polk County, Florida.

Arriving in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Full guide →

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).

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 3m. Total distance: 201.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 3m 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 125.3 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $8.77 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 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 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 16.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 62.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 63 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Fort Lauderdale, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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