Connecting New Port Richey to Fort Lauderdale, this 282.6-mile journey across Florida typically takes about 5 hours and 27 minutes of driving time. Because the route is highly efficient, you can easily complete the trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget approximately $47 for fuel for the duration of the drive. The journey transitions from the Gulf Coast region toward the Atlantic side of the state. It is a straightforward, highway-focused trip that prioritizes speed and directness over scenic detours, making it a practical choice if you need to reach your destination quickly.
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
141.3 miles from New Port Richey, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
209.3 mi
3h 44m
US Highway 19
24.5 mi
35m
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
13.4 mi
15m
I 275
11.2 mi
14m
Port Everglades Expressway
10.1 mi
11m
US Highway 19 North
4.4 mi
6m
SR 84
2.2 mi
3m
Marina Boulevard
1.6 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 209.3 mi, about 3h 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New Port Richey, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL.
1
Start on Tennessee Avenue
113 ft·10 sec·Tennessee Avenue
2
Turn left onto Grand Boulevard
0.8 mi·1 min·Grand Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Turn right onto Marine Parkway
0.4 mi·1 min·Marine Parkway
4
Turn left onto US 19
25 mi·35 min·US Highway 19
Use the left lane.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto US 19
4.4 mi·6 min·US Highway 19 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on US 19
0.6 mi·1 min·34th Street North
7
Turn left onto 54th Avenue North
0.8 mi·1 min·54th Avenue North
Use the left lane.
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 275 SouthUse the right lane.
9
Merge onto I 275
10 mi·11 min·I 275
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·17 sec
11
Merge onto I 275; US 19
13 mi·15 min·Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 275
1.1 mi·2 min·I 275
Toward I 75 South: Naples
13
Merge onto I 75
28 mi·30 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
181 mi·3 hr 14 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 595
10 mi·11 min·Port Everglades Expressway
Exit 19Toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Springs, Fort LauderdaleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 9CToward SR 84 East: Marina Mile BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn straight onto SR 84
0.2 mi·18 sec·SR 84
Toward I 595 East, SR 84 East
18
Keep slight left at fork onto SR 84
2.0 mi·3 min·SR 84
Toward SR 84 East
19
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 84
1.6 mi·3 min·Marina Boulevard
Toward SR 84 East: Marina Mile BoulevardUse the right lane.
20
Turn left onto Southwest 4th Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Southwest 4th Avenue
Use the left lane.
21
Turn right onto Southwest 17th Street
0.3 mi·33 sec·Southwest 17th Street
22
Continue on Southeast 17th Street
0.1 mi·25 sec·Southeast 17th Street
23
Turn left onto Southeast 3rd Avenue
1.5 mi·3 min·Southeast 3rd Avenue
Use the straight lane.
24
Turn left onto SR 842
0.2 mi·35 sec·East Broward Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
25
Arrive at destination
SR 842
Trip Plan
To keep your drive smooth, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the 5.5-hour duration and stay alert during the long highway stretches. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid mid-day congestion and ensure you arrive in Fort Lauderdale before evening traffic peaks. Since you are spending nearly $47 on fuel, check your tire pressure before departing New Port Richey to maximize your efficiency during the 209.3-mile interstate leg. Because this is a high-speed route, maintain a consistent pace and keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the long, uninterrupted sections of I-75. The flexibility of a single-day trip allows you to adjust your departure time based on the latest traffic reports for the I-75 corridor.
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 141.3 miles from New Port Richey, FL, or about 2h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 209.3 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 62 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 141.3 miles or 2h 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 25m
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 New Port Richey, 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 New Port Richey, FL
This is one driving day of about 282.6 miles and 5h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from New Port Richey, 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 209.3 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 278.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Grand Boulevard
Turn left onto Grand Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
25.7 mi into trip|~38m in|US 19 / US Highway 19 North
Keep slight left at fork onto US 19 / US Highway 19 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
265.9 mi into trip|~5h 2m 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
276 mi into trip|~5h 13m in
Take the exit toward SR 84 East: Marina Mile Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 9C
Toward SR 84 East: Marina Mile Boulevard
7
278.4 mi into trip|~5h 18m in|SR 84 / Marina Boulevard
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 84 / Marina Boulevard toward SR 84 East: Marina Mile Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward SR 84 East: Marina Mile Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.98 one way
$89.96 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg99 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$48.93
$97.86
premium
$4.72
$52.55
$105.10
diesel
$5.61
$62.39
$124.79
Estimated Tolls: $0.94
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
(13.4 mi)$0.94
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
$45
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
84.8
1
$29.67
$13.56
Efficient EV
70.7
0
$24.73
$11.30
EV Truck/SUV
113
1
$39.56
$18.09
Gas CO2
99 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
New Port Richey, FL
Morning
in New Port Richey on Sunday
Local time
6:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Morning
in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday
Local time
6:35 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
15 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
5h 27m 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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 48.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
With 93% of your travel occurring on highways, you should prepare for a consistent, interstate-heavy experience. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-75, which features a long, uninterrupted stretch of 209.3 miles that requires steady focus. While you start your journey on US Highway 19, the character of the road shifts quickly as you merge onto the primary interstate system. The Sunshine Skyway Bridge adds a unique element to the transit, breaking up the monotony of the surrounding landscape. Overall, the drive feels like a functional sprint across the state rather than a leisurely backroads tour.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 209.3 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and US Highway 19. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Grand Boulevard.
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 21 significant decision points across 282.6 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: near the start (Grand Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 25.7 miles (US 19 / US Highway 19 North): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 265.9 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
New Port Richey, otherwise known as NPR, or New Port, is a city founded in 1924 that is full of restaurants, stores, and activities, in the Big Bend Coast region of Florida.
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 5h 27m. Total distance: 282.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 209.3 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.94 in tolls one way, starting with Sunshine Skyway Bridge. 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.
Yes — we found about 27 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 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. There are 27 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Grand Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 25.7 miles (US 19 / US Highway 19 North): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 265.9 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — De Soto National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 10.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Fort Lauderdale, FL before the return drive.
