If you are planning to travel from Leesburg to Fort Lauderdale, expect a straightforward journey covering 245.4 miles. You can comfortably complete this trip in about 4 hours and 39 minutes, making it a feasible day trip for most drivers. With a total fuel budget of approximately $41, the route is economically predictable. You will primarily utilize Florida’s Turnpike and I-95 to navigate the state efficiently. Since this is a highway-focused drive, it works best for those looking to reach their destination quickly rather than those seeking a scenic, winding backroad experience.
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
122.7 miles from Leesburg, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
217.5 mi
3h 54m
South 14th Street
13.1 mi
18m
I 95
7.2 mi
8m
West Broward Boulevard
1.8 mi
3m
Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
1.4 mi
2m
West Dixie Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
North Andrews Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
South 6th Street
0.3 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 217.5 mi, about 3h 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Leesburg, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL.
1
Start on South 6th Street
0.3 mi·1 min·South 6th Street
2
At end of road, turn right onto FL 44
0.6 mi·1 min·West Dixie Avenue
3
Turn left onto US 27
13 mi·18 min·South 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 67Toward Coconut Creek Parkway, Martin Luther King BoulevardUse 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 27Toward SR 842: Broward Boulevard, DowntownUse 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
To keep your drive smooth, plan for at least one strategic stop to break up the long 217.5-mile stretch on the Turnpike. Since the route relies heavily on major arteries like I-95, try to avoid peak rush hour periods to minimize time spent in heavy traffic. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before entering the longest highway segments, as staying prepared will help you stick to your $41 budget. Given the 4 hour and 39 minute duration, you have the flexibility to make this a single-day trip without feeling rushed. Always check local traffic reports before departing Leesburg to ensure the Turnpike is clear for your journey south.
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 122.7 miles from Leesburg, FL, or about 2h 19m 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 54 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122.7 miles or 2h 19m 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 44m
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 Leesburg, 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 Leesburg, FL
This is one driving day of about 245.4 miles and 4h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Leesburg, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 242.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in|FL 44 / West Dixie Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto FL 44 / West Dixie Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
14 mi into trip|~21m in
Turn left toward Florida's Turnpike South: Orlando
Navigation decision point
Toward Florida's Turnpike South: Orlando
8
232.3 mi into trip|~4h 18m 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
233 mi into trip|~4h 19m 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
242.9 mi into trip|~4h 33m 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
$39.06 one way
$78.12 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg86 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$42.49
$84.98
premium
$4.72
$45.63
$91.26
diesel
$5.61
$54.18
$108.36
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
$39
Tolls
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.6
0
$25.77
$11.78
Efficient EV
61.4
0
$21.47
$9.82
EV Truck/SUV
98.2
1
$34.36
$15.71
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 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 15, 2026
Origin
Leesburg, FL
Morning
in Leesburg on Sunday
Local time
10:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Morning
in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday
Local time
10:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
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
9 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 39m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is dominated by high-speed travel, with 92% of the journey taking place on major highways. You will spend the vast majority of your time on Florida’s Turnpike, which accounts for a significant 217.5-mile stretch of your trip. The drive starts with local navigation via South 14th Street before transitioning into a consistent interstate rhythm. Because the character of the road remains largely uniform, you should prepare for a focused, steady experience behind the wheel. It is a functional, efficient path that prioritizes speed over variety.
92% 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 South 14th Street. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near FL 44 / West Dixie Avenue.
Driving Effort6/10
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 245.4 miles you will encounter 14 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 0.3 miles (FL 44 / West Dixie Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 14 miles: Navigation decision point; at 232.3 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 Leesburg, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Florida's Turnpike South: Orlando along the way.
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).
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 39m. Total distance: 245.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). 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 0.3 miles (FL 44 / West Dixie Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 14 miles: Navigation decision point; at 232.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Fort Lauderdale, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
