This 227.3-mile drive from Longboat Key, FL to Hollywood, FL will take approximately 4 hours and 21 minutes, making it a feasible day trip. The route primarily utilizes I 75, with brief segments on Port Everglades Expressway and Fruitville Road, offering a straightforward journey through Florida. With an estimated fuel cost of $36, this highway-focused drive is an economical option for reaching your destination. You'll spend most of your time on the interstate, so expect a consistent pace. Consider leaving early to maximize your daylight hours for arrival.
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
113.7 miles from Longboat Key, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
191 mi
3h 24m
Port Everglades Expressway
12.4 mi
14m
Fruitville Road
6 mi
10m
Gulf of Mexico Drive
5.8 mi
9m
I 95
3.8 mi
4m
John Ringling Boulevard
2.4 mi
5m
South Gulf of Mexico Drive
1.5 mi
2m
Hollywood Boulevard
1.1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 191 mi, about 3h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Longboat Key, FL and Hollywood, FL.
1
Start on FL 789
5.8 mi·9 min·Gulf of Mexico Drive
2
Continue on FL 789
1.5 mi·2 min·South Gulf of Mexico Drive
3
Continue on FL 789
0.8 mi·1 min·John Ringling Parkway
4
Continue on FL 789
0.4 mi·1 min·Boulevard of the Presidents
5
Enter roundabout onto FL 789
0.1 mi·25 sec·John Ringling Boulevard
6
Continue on FL 789
2.3 mi·4 min·John Ringling Boulevard
7
Enter roundabout onto US 41
300 ft·10 sec·Tamiami Trail
8
Continue on US 41
0.2 mi·25 sec·Tamiami Trail
9
Turn right onto CR 780
6.0 mi·10 min·Fruitville Road
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·59 sec
Toward I 75 South: NaplesUse the right lane.
11
Merge onto I 75
9.7 mi·10 min·I 75
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
181 mi·3 hr 14 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 595
12 mi·14 min·Port Everglades Expressway
Exit 19Toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Springs, Fort LauderdaleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 10BToward I 95 South: MiamiUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward I 95 South: Miami
16
Merge onto I 95
3.8 mi·4 min·I 95
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Exit 20Toward SR 820: Hollywood BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
18
Turn left onto SR 820
0.6 mi·1 min·Hollywood Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on SR 820
391 ft·5 sec·SR 820
20
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 820
0.5 mi·38 sec·Hollywood Boulevard
Use the right lane.
21
Arrive at destination
SR 820
Trip Plan
For this 4 hour and 21 minute drive, consider an early morning departure to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach the South Florida region. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 191 miles on I 75, you can plan your breaks strategically. The $36 fuel estimate is quite reasonable, but be sure to fill up before embarking on the longest interstate segment to ensure you have plenty of gas. Keep an eye on your GPS for the transition from I 75 to Port Everglades Expressway, as this marks the final approach to Hollywood.
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 113.7 miles from Longboat Key, FL, or about 2h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 191 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 50 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 113.7 miles or 2h 16m 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hollywood, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Longboat Key, 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 Longboat Key, FL
This is one driving day of about 227.3 miles and 4h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Longboat Key, 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 I 75 for about 191 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 27.4 and 226.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
27.4 mi into trip|~43m in|I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
208.6 mi into trip|~3h 58m in|I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 19
Toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Spr...
7
221 mi into trip|~4h 12m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South: Miami
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 10B
Toward I 95 South: Miami
7
225.8 mi into trip|~4h 18m in
Take the exit toward SR 820: Hollywood Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 20
Toward SR 820: Hollywood Boulevard
7
226.8 mi into trip|~4h 20m in|SR 820 / Hollywood Boulevard
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 820 / Hollywood Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.18 one way
$72.36 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg80 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$39.36
$78.71
premium
$4.72
$42.27
$84.53
diesel
$5.61
$50.18
$100.37
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
68.2
0
$23.87
$10.91
Efficient EV
56.8
0
$19.89
$9.09
EV Truck/SUV
90.9
1
$31.82
$14.55
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 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 Jun 21, 2022
Origin
Longboat Key, FL
Morning
in Longboat Key on Tuesday
Local time
9:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hollywood, FL
Morning
in Hollywood on Tuesday
Local time
9:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°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
6 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 21m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
De Soto National Memorial
National Memorial
In May 1539, Conquistador Hernando de Soto’s army of soldiers, hired mercenaries, craftsmen, and clergy made landfall in Tampa Bay. They were met with fierce resistance of indigenous people protecting...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for 92% of this 227.3-mile trip. The majority of your time will be spent on I 75, including one uninterrupted stretch of 191 miles. This means you'll encounter consistent speeds and minimal distractions for extended periods. While the route begins and ends on local roads, the bulk of the journey is on high-speed interstate, designed for efficient travel rather than scenic exploration. The drive is characterized by its directness and focus on covering distance.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 191 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Port Everglades Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 27.4 miles in near I 75.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 227.3 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 27.4 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 208.6 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 221 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Longboat Key, FL to Hollywood, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Lauderdale 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 4h 21m. Total distance: 227.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 21m 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 191 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Hollywood, 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 27.4 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 208.6 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 221 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — De Soto National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Hollywood, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
