Hollywood, FL to Fort Meade, FL is 188.4 miles and takes about 3h 59m via US 27, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, beginning in the bustling South Florida region and heading north toward Central Florida. With 98% of the drive on highways, expect a straightforward and efficient transit. This route is ideal for a single-day excursion, making it a practical choice for those looking to cover ground quickly without an overnight stay.
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
94.2 miles from Hollywood, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 27
149.3 mi
3h 7m
US 98
15 mi
20m
Port Everglades Expressway
11.8 mi
13m
I 75
4.7 mi
5m
I 95
4.1 mi
4m
Hollywood Boulevard
1.2 mi
1m
North Lanier Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
1st Street Northeast
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 27
— 149.3 mi, about 3h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hollywood, FL and Fort Meade, FL.
1
Start on SR 820
216 ft·12 sec·Hollywood Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
2
Continue on SR 820
0.8 mi·1 min·Hollywood Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
3
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 820
0.4 mi·38 sec·Hollywood Boulevard
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I 95 North: West Palm BeachUse the right lane.
5
Merge onto I 95
4.1 mi·4 min·I 95
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 24Toward I 595: Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International AirportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 595 WestUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 595
1.7 mi·2 min·Port Everglades Expressway
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 595
10 mi·11 min·Port Everglades Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 75
4.7 mi·5 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·28 sec
Exit 23Toward US 27: Hialeah, South BayUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·51 sec
Toward US 27 North: South BayUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto US 27
0.9 mi·59 sec·US 27
14
Continue on US 27
62 mi·1 hr 17 min·US 27
Use the left lane.
15
Continue on US 27; FL 80
51 mi·1 hr 2 min·US 27; FL 80
Use the left lane.
16
Continue on US 27
0.2 mi·19 sec·US 27
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on US 27
10 mi·12 min·US 27
Use the left lane.
18
Continue on US 27
25 mi·34 min·US 27
Use the left / straight lanes.
19
Turn left onto US 98
10 mi·13 min·US 98
Use the left lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto US 98
4.7 mi·7 min·US 98
21
Turn right onto North Lanier Avenue
464 ft·25 sec·North Lanier Avenue
22
Turn left onto 1st Street Northeast
454 ft·27 sec·1st Street Northeast
23
Turn left onto US 17; US 98
385 ft·8 sec·Charleston Avenue
24
Arrive at destination
US 17; US 98
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of under 4 hours, this trip can easily be completed in a single day. Leaving in the morning will give you ample time to arrive in Fort Meade with daylight to spare. Plan for one fuel stop, especially since the longest stretch is nearly 150 miles. The entire drive is within Florida, so no special border preparations are needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the final segment, as the majority of your travel will be on the highway.
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 94.2 miles from Hollywood, FL, or about 1h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 149.3 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 41 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 94.2 miles or 1h 56m 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 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fort Meade, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hollywood, 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 Hollywood, FL
This is one driving day of about 188.4 miles and 3h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Hollywood, 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 US 27 for about 149.3 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.2 and 23.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.2 mi into trip|~1m in
Take the exit toward I 95 North: West Palm Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 95 North: West Palm Beach
8
5.6 mi into trip|~7m in
Take the exit toward I 595: Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport
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 24
Toward I 595: Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale-...
7
5.8 mi into trip|~7m in
Keep slight left 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
8
23.2 mi into trip|~28m in
Take the exit toward US 27: Hialeah, South Bay
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 23
Toward US 27: Hialeah, South Bay
7
23.5 mi into trip|~28m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 27 North: South Bay
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward US 27 North: South Bay
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.99 one way
$59.98 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg66 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$32.62
$65.24
premium
$4.72
$35.03
$70.06
diesel
$5.61
$41.60
$83.19
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 65.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
56.5
0
$19.78
$9.04
Efficient EV
47.1
0
$16.49
$7.54
EV Truck/SUV
75.4
0
$26.38
$12.06
Gas CO2
66 kg
EV CO2
22 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 20, 2026
Origin
Hollywood, FL
Morning
in Hollywood on Tuesday
Local time
7:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Fort Meade, FL
Morning
in Fort Meade on Tuesday
Local time
7:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
90°F
Lake Placid, FL
94 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
19 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
3h 59m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily highway driving, with 98% of the 188.4 miles spent on major roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 149.3 miles on US 27. You'll notice the highway feel continues for the vast majority of the trip, with a brief transition onto surface roads only at the very end. Expect a steady pace with minimal deviations from the main thoroughfares for most of the drive.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 149.3 mi on US 27.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 27 and US 98. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.2 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 18 significant decision points across 188.4 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 1.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.8 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 Hollywood, FL to Fort Meade, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Bay 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.
Top landmarks
•Hollywood Boulevard Historic Business District — human settlement in Hollywood, Florida, United States of America
•Hollywood Garden Club — clubhouse in Hollywood, United States of America
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 59m. Total distance: 188.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 149.3 miles on US 27. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 2 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 Meade, 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 2 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Fort Meade, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
