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Trip from Lady Lake, 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 51m

Distance

252.9 mi

407 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$40

one way

EV Charging

Good

6 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 38m ★
6 AM
4h 51m
8 AM
5h 18m
10 AM
5h 1m
12 PM
4h 58m
3 PM
5h 2m
5 PM
5h 17m
8 PM
4h 43m

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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town in Lake County, Florida, United States

Lady Lake, FL

Wikimedia Commons

city ​​in Broward County, Florida, United States

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 252.9-mile drive from Lady Lake, FL, to Fort Lauderdale, FL, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 4 hours and 51 minutes. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, with Florida's Turnpike and I-95 being the primary arteries. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $40, making it a relatively budget-friendly option for a day trip within Florida. The route is predominantly a highway-focused experience, designed for efficient travel between these two points in the state.

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

126.4 miles from Lady Lake, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 27m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Florida's Turnpike 217.5 mi 3h 54m
14th Street 14.8 mi 22m
I 95 7.2 mi 8m
Citrus Boulevard 6.7 mi 10m
West Broward Boulevard 1.8 mi 3m
Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard 1.4 mi 2m
North Andrews Avenue 0.6 mi 1m
East Broward Boulevard 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Florida's Turnpike — 217.5 mi, about 3h 54m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lady Lake, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL.

1

Start on CR 466

55 ft · 3 sec · CR 466
2

Turn right onto US 27; US 441

6.7 mi · 10 min · Citrus Boulevard
3

Continue on US 27; US 441

15 mi · 22 min · 14th Street
4

Turn left

0.8 mi · 1 min
Toward Florida's Turnpike South: Orlando
5

Merge onto Florida's Turnpike

218 mi · 3 hr 54 min · Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 67 Toward Coconut Creek Parkway, Martin Luther King Boulevard Use the slight right lane.
7

Keep slight left at fork

251 ft · 15 sec
Toward East Martin Luther King Boulevard, Atlantic Boulevard
8

Turn left onto Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard

1.4 mi · 2 min · Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
9

Turn left onto Northwest 16th Avenue

0.1 mi · 25 sec · Northwest 16th Avenue
10

Turn right onto North Andrews Avenue

0.6 mi · 1 min · North Andrews Avenue
11

Turn left onto SR 814

497 ft · 16 sec · West Atlantic Boulevard
Use the left lane.
12

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 58 sec
Toward I 95 South: Miami
13

Merge onto I 95

7.2 mi · 8 min · I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 27 Toward SR 842: Broward Boulevard, Downtown Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Turn left onto SR 842

1.8 mi · 3 min · West Broward Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
16

Continue on SR 842

0.2 mi · 35 sec · East Broward Boulevard
Use the left lane.
17

Arrive at destination

SR 842

Trip Plan

Given the 4 hour and 51 minute duration, this route is perfect for a single-day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Aim to leave early to maximize daylight and potentially avoid afternoon traffic as you approach Fort Lauderdale. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 217.5 miles, you can plan your breaks strategically. Keep in mind the $40 fuel estimate and ensure your tank is sufficiently full before embarking on the 217.5-mile segment on Florida's Turnpike, as services can be spread out.

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 126.4 miles from Lady Lake, FL, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 217.5 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 56 miles or 1h 11m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 126.4 miles or 2h 27m 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 54m

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 Lady Lake, 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 Lady Lake, FL

This is one driving day of about 252.9 miles and 4h 51m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Lady Lake, 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 217.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Palm Bay, FL, FL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Palm Bay, FL

126 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

Lake Butler, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 56 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Palm Bay, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 126.4 miles from Lady Lake, 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 217.5 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

Prairie House Coffee Co

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Oakland, Florida

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 36.1

Hours: 7:30 am–5 pm

+14079060330

Visit website

Piccolo Coffee Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Winter Garden, Florida

2.4 mi

Prairie House Coffee Co

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 36.1

Oakland, Florida

Hours: 7:30 am–5 pm

+14079060330

Visit website

Piccolo Coffee Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 36.1

Winter Garden, Florida

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

Visit website

Jabal Coffee House

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 54.2

Orlando, Florida

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+14079894499

Visit website

Sprout & Bean | Play Café | Coffee Shop and Indoor Playground | Winter Garden

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 36.1

Winter Garden, Florida

+13522052589

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route

Lady Lake, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

2.3 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour

Lady Lake, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

Tesla Supercharger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Lady Lake, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 36.1

Clermont, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 36.1

Clermont, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ABB Charging Station

Near the start, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 36.1

Clermont, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Joseph C. Carter Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 252.9

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+19548285411

Visit website

Crayola Experience Orlando

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 54.2

Orlando, Florida

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+14077571700

Visit website

Wreck It Ft Laudy

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 252.9

Oakland Park, Florida

White Gator Swamp

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 54.2

Orlando, Florida

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+14078555496

Visit website

Escape Room PSL

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 162.6

Port St. Lucie, Florida

Hours: 4–10:30 pm

+17726266655

Visit website

Discovery Cove

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour Very expen mile 54.2

Orlando, Florida

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+14075134600

Visit website

Peaceful Waters Sanctuary

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 216.8

Wellington, Florida

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+15617914005

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 21.5 and 250.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
21.5 mi into trip | ~33m in

Turn left toward Florida's Turnpike South: Orlando

Navigation decision point

Toward Florida's Turnpike South: Orlando
5
22.4 mi into trip | ~35m in | Florida's Turnpike

Merge onto Florida's Turnpike

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
239.9 mi into trip | ~4h 29m 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
240.5 mi into trip | ~4h 31m 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
250.4 mi into trip | ~4h 45m 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

$40.25 one way

$80.51 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 89 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.40 $43.79 $87.58
premium $4.72 $47.03 $94.05
diesel $5.61 $55.84 $111.67

Estimated Tolls: $15.23

Florida's Turnpike (217.5 mi) $15.23

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

$40

Tolls

$15

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$80–$105

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 88.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 75.9 0 $26.55 $12.14
Efficient EV 63.2 0 $22.13 $10.12
EV Truck/SUV 101.2 1 $35.41 $16.19

Gas CO2

88 kg

EV CO2

30 kg (66% 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 Apr 17, 2026

Origin

Lady Lake, FL

Morning in Lady Lake on Sunday

Local time

10:54 AM

EDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Morning in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday

Local time

10:54 AM

EDT

Current temp

71°F

Partly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers

E 7 mph 19% chance Live forecast

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

12 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 51m 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 drive for this 252.9-mile journey, with 89% of the route utilizing major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 217.5 miles on Florida's Turnpike, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of your drive. While primarily highway, you will briefly transition to local roads like 14th Street. This route is built for speed and direct travel, minimizing complex turns and maximizing forward momentum.

89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 217.5 mi on Florida's Turnpike.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and 14th Street. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 21.5 miles in.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 252.9 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 21.5 miles: Navigation decision point; at 22.4 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 239.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 Lady Lake, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Florida's Turnpike South: Orlando along the way.

Florida's Turnpike South: Orlando

21.5 mi in | ~33m

About the Cities

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 51m. Total distance: 252.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 217.5 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $15.23 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 21.5 miles: Navigation decision point; at 22.4 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 239.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 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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