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Trip from Orlando, 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

Distance

211.9 mi

341 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$34

one way

EV Charging

Sparse

1 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 47m ★
6 AM
4h 0m
8 AM
4h 26m
10 AM
4h 9m
12 PM
4h 7m
3 PM
4h 10m
5 PM
4h 25m
8 PM
3h 52m

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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city in and county seat of Orange County, Florida, United States

Orlando, FL

Wikimedia Commons

city ​​in Broward County, Florida, United States

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Driving from Orlando to Fort Lauderdale covers 211.9 miles and typically takes about 4 hours, making it a manageable day trip for most travelers. You will rely heavily on major thoroughfares, primarily Florida's Turnpike, I-95, and I-4, to navigate through the heart of the state. With a fuel budget of approximately $35, this journey is quite cost-effective for those looking to reach the coast quickly. Because the entire route stays within Florida, you won't face significant regional changes, allowing for a straightforward transition between these two major hubs. While it is easily doable in a single day, having the flexibility to stop once along the way keeps the experience relaxed and comfortable.

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

106 miles from Orlando, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 58m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Florida's Turnpike 191.2 mi 3h 26m
I 95 7.2 mi 8m
I 4 5.6 mi 7m
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
West South Street 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Florida's Turnpike — 191.2 mi, about 3h 26m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on this road

113 ft · 4 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto FL 527

458 ft · 18 sec · South Orange Avenue
3

Turn right onto West Anderson Street

479 ft · 17 sec · West Anderson Street
4

Turn right onto Boone Avenue

0.1 mi · 23 sec · Boone Avenue
5

Turn left onto West South Street

0.2 mi · 36 sec · West South Street
6

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Toward I 4 West
7

Merge onto I 4

5.6 mi · 7 min · I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Exit 77 Toward Miami, Ocala Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Continue on this road

0.1 mi · 15 sec · this road
Use the straight lane.
10

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward Florida's Turnpike South, Miami Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Merge onto Florida's Turnpike

191 mi · 3 hr 26 min · Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 67 Toward Coconut Creek Parkway, Martin Luther King Boulevard Use the slight right lane.
13

Keep slight left at fork

251 ft · 15 sec
Toward East Martin Luther King Boulevard, Atlantic Boulevard
14

Turn left onto Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard

1.4 mi · 2 min · Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
15

Turn left onto Northwest 16th Avenue

0.1 mi · 25 sec · Northwest 16th Avenue
16

Turn right onto North Andrews Avenue

0.6 mi · 1 min · North Andrews Avenue
17

Turn left onto SR 814

497 ft · 16 sec · West Atlantic Boulevard
Use the left lane.
18

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 58 sec
Toward I 95 South: Miami
19

Merge onto I 95

7.2 mi · 8 min · I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 27 Toward SR 842: Broward Boulevard, Downtown Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Turn left onto SR 842

1.8 mi · 3 min · West Broward Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
22

Continue on SR 842

0.2 mi · 35 sec · East Broward Boulevard
Use the left lane.
23

Arrive at destination

SR 842

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 4-hour trek, plan your departure to avoid peak traffic hours near Orlando and Fort Lauderdale, as highway congestion can quickly turn a straightforward drive into a longer ordeal. Since you have a planned stop available, use that time to stretch your legs and refuel, keeping your $35 estimated fuel cost in mind as you manage your vehicle's efficiency. Because the route is so highway-dependent, maintain a consistent pace and stay alert for merging traffic, especially where the Turnpike meets I-95. The beauty of this short distance is the flexibility it offers; you have plenty of time to reach your destination without feeling rushed or needing an overnight stay.

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 106 miles from Orlando, FL, or about 1h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 191.2 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 47 miles or 54m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 106 miles or 1h 58m 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 Lauderdale, FL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Orlando, 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 Orlando, FL

This is one driving day of about 211.9 miles and 4h.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Orlando, 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 191.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Port Saint Lucie, FL

106 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

Haines City, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Vero Beach, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 106 miles from Orlando, 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 191.2 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 Restaurant

CFS Coffee For The Soul, Downtown

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Orlando, Florida

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+14077762900

Visit website

Top Coffee Stop

CityArts Café

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Orlando, Florida

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+14076487060

Visit website

Haan Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Orlando, Florida

1.4 mi

Qreate Coffee + Studio

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Orlando, Florida

1.4 mi

CFS Coffee For The Soul, Downtown

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Orlando, Florida

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+14077762900

Visit website

CityArts Café

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Orlando, Florida

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+14076487060

Visit website

Haan Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Orlando, Florida

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+14079065119

Visit website

Qreate Coffee + Studio

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Orlando, Florida

Hours: 7:30 am–6 pm

+14076011796

Visit website

Framework Craft Coffee House

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Orlando, Florida

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

Visit website

Lucid Beans Coffee - SODO

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Orlando, Florida

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

Visit website

Cups and Pups Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

Orlando, Florida

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

Visit website

Black Phin Coffee Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Winter Park, Florida

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

Jabal Coffee House

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 15.1

Orlando, Florida

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+14079894499

Visit website

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 75.7

Okeechobee, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Orange County Regional History Center

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour Inexpensiv

Orlando, Florida

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+14078368500

Visit website

Riverbend Park

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 151.4

Jupiter, Florida

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+15617411359

Visit website

Indian Creek Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 151.4

Jupiter, Florida

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+15617412400

Visit website

Joseph C. Carter Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 211.9

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+19548285411

Visit website

White Gator Swamp

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 15.1

Orlando, Florida

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+14078555496

Visit website

Wreck It Ft Laudy

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 211.9

Oakland Park, Florida

Crayola Experience Orlando

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 15.1

Orlando, Florida

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+14077571700

Visit website

Escape Room PSL

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 121.1

Port St. Lucie, Florida

Hours: 4–10:30 pm

+17726266655

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 19

5 decision points cluster between mile 6.4 and 209.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
6.4 mi into trip | ~9m in

Take the exit toward Miami, Ocala

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 77 Toward Miami, Ocala
8
7.2 mi into trip | ~10m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Florida's Turnpike South, Miami

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Florida's Turnpike South, Miami
8
198.9 mi into trip | ~3h 38m 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
199.5 mi into trip | ~3h 40m 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
209.5 mi into trip | ~3h 54m 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

$33.73 one way

$67.46 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 74 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.40 $36.69 $73.38
premium $4.72 $39.40 $78.80
diesel $5.61 $46.78 $93.57

Estimated Tolls: $13.39

Florida's Turnpike (191.2 mi) $13.39

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

$34

Tolls

$13

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$72–$97

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 74.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 63.6 0 $22.25 $10.17
Efficient EV 53 0 $18.54 $8.48
EV Truck/SUV 84.8 1 $29.67 $13.56

Gas CO2

74 kg

EV CO2

25 kg (66% 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 16, 2026

Origin

Orlando, FL

Morning in Orlando on Sunday

Local time

10:21 AM

EDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Morning in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday

Local time

10:21 AM

EDT

Current temp

80°F

Mostly Sunny

E 7 to 10 mph 4% 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

18 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 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?

This trip is a quintessential highway-focused drive, with 96% of your journey spent on high-speed roads. You will settle into a steady rhythm on Florida's Turnpike, which accounts for the vast majority of your time behind the wheel, including a significant 191.2-mile uninterrupted stretch. Expect a consistent, fast-paced experience rather than a winding or technical backroads tour. As you progress from Central Florida toward the coast, the road surface remains well-maintained, though you should be prepared for the steady flow of high-volume interstate traffic. It is a functional, efficient route designed to prioritize speed and directness over scenic detours.

96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 191.2 mi on Florida's Turnpike.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.4 miles in.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 211.9 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 6.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 198.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

103 ft 2 ft

Total Climb

29 ft

Total Descent

130 ft

Highest Point

103 ft

Elevation Range

101 ft

About the Cities

Starting in Orlando, FL

Full guide →

For the broader urban area including suburbs and other nearby destinations, please see the Greater Orlando article. Orlando deserves its reputation as the theme park capital of the world, with an estimated 52 million visitors a year. The city is best known for its theme parks Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando, but it holds a lot to offer besides those two amusement meccas. Countless hotels and restaurants cater to business conventions and other events hosted by organizations from all over the country. Outside the theme park districts and hotels, however, lies much more to be explored, including downtown, areas of untouched wilderness, world-class museums and theaters, and old towns with dining and nightlife. At the center of the state of Florida, in Orange County, Orlando is about an hour from each coast.

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. Total distance: 211.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 191.2 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $13.39 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 6.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 198.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 4.0 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 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, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Fort Lauderdale, FL to Orlando, FL

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