This 208.6-mile drive from Ridge Wood Heights to Fort Lauderdale is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 55 minutes. With 95% of the journey on highways, it's a focused, efficient route. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $33. Given its relatively short duration and highway-focused profile, you can expect a straightforward drive through Florida. This route is perfect for a quick getaway or a direct transfer between locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
104.3 miles from Ridge Wood Heights, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
186.1 mi
3h 19m
Port Everglades Expressway
10.1 mi
11m
Clark Road
3.6 mi
6m
SR 84
2.2 mi
3m
Marina Boulevard
1.6 mi
3m
Southeast 3rd Avenue
1.5 mi
3m
Swift Road
1.3 mi
2m
Southwest 4th Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 186.1 mi, about 3h 19m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 46 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,826 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,424
Quietest
2 AM
~185 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ridge Wood Heights, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL.
1
Start on Grand Cayman Street
310 ft·15 sec·Grand Cayman Street
2
Turn right onto Swift Road
53 ft·6 sec·Swift Road
3
Continue on Swift Road
1.3 mi·2 min·Swift Road
4
At end of road, turn left onto FL 72
0.1 mi·18 sec·Stickney Point Road
5
Continue on FL 72
3.6 mi·6 min·Clark Road
6
Take the ramp
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 75 South: Naples
7
Merge onto I 75
4.8 mi·5 min·I 75
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
181 mi·3 hr 14 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
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.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 9CToward SR 84 East: Marina Mile BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn straight onto SR 84
0.2 mi·18 sec·SR 84
Toward I 595 East, SR 84 East
12
Keep slight left at fork onto SR 84
2.0 mi·3 min·SR 84
Toward SR 84 East
13
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.
14
Turn left onto Southwest 4th Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Southwest 4th Avenue
Use the left lane.
15
Turn right onto Southwest 17th Street
0.3 mi·33 sec·Southwest 17th Street
16
Continue on Southeast 17th Street
0.1 mi·25 sec·Southeast 17th Street
17
Turn left onto Southeast 3rd Avenue
1.5 mi·3 min·Southeast 3rd Avenue
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn left onto SR 842
0.2 mi·35 sec·East Broward Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
19
Arrive at destination
SR 842
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour and 55-minute drive, leaving in the morning will help you avoid any potential afternoon traffic buildup. Since the longest stretch is 186.1 miles on I 75, plan for one fuel or rest stop during that segment to break up the drive. The $33 fuel estimate is helpful for budgeting. With only one recommended stop, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience, but be mindful of peak travel times, especially as you approach Fort Lauderdale.
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 104.3 miles from Ridge Wood Heights, FL, or about 1h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 186.1 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 46 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.3 miles or 1h 56m 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 8m
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 Ridge Wood Heights, 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 Ridge Wood Heights, FL
This is one driving day of about 208.6 miles and 3h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Ridge Wood Heights, 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 186.1 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 10.6 and 206.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
10.6 mi into trip|~16m 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
191.8 mi into trip|~3h 30m 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
202 mi into trip|~3h 42m 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
204.4 mi into trip|~3h 46m 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
6
206.9 mi into trip|~3h 51m in|Southeast 3rd Avenue
Turn left onto Southeast 3rd Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.58 one way
$63.15 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg73 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$34.65
$69.30
premium
$4.55
$37.37
$74.73
diesel
$4.80
$39.39
$78.78
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62.6
0
$21.90
$10.01
Efficient EV
52.2
0
$18.25
$8.34
EV Truck/SUV
83.4
1
$29.20
$13.35
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (67% 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Ridge Wood Heights, FL
Morning
in Ridge Wood Heights on Sunday
Local time
7:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
91°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
WNW 8 to 12 mph73% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 17 at 3:45AM EDT until July 18 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 2:50AM EDT until July 17 at 7:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Destination
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Morning
in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday
Local time
7:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
95°F
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 5 to 12 mph49% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 17 at 3:45AM EDT until July 18 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 2:50AM EDT until July 17 at 7:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
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
4 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
3h 55m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 the majority of this 208.6-mile trip. You'll spend most of your time on I 75 and the Port Everglades Expressway, covering 95% of the route on high-speed roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a significant 186.1 miles on I 75. This means the drive is characterized by consistent speed and minimal distractions from local traffic, offering a direct path to your destination.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 186.1 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 10.6 miles in near I 75.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 208.6 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: at 10.6 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 191.8 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 202 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
30 ft-2 ft
Total Climb
49 ft
Total Descent
69 ft
Highest Point
30 ft
~59.6 mi in
Elevation Range
32 ft
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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).
Top landmarks
•Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale — art museum in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA
•Bryan Building — building in Florida, United States
•North Woodlawn Cemetery — cemetery in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 55m. Total distance: 208.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 186.1 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 12 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 12 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 10.6 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 191.8 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 202 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 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Fort Lauderdale, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
