Silver Springs Shores to Fort Lauderdale is 271.4 miles and takes about 5h 14m via Florida's Turnpike and I-95, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Florida, taking you from the central part of the state down to the southeastern coast. With most of the drive on major highways, it's a pretty straightforward trip. Plan for a single day of driving to cover this distance comfortably, keeping your fuel costs manageable.
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
135.7 miles from Silver Springs Shores, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 40m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
236.9 mi
4h 15m
I 95
7.2 mi
8m
Nathan Mayo Highway
7.2 mi
10m
US 301
6.3 mi
10m
Southeast 92nd Loop
2.4 mi
3m
West Broward Boulevard
1.8 mi
3m
Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
1.4 mi
2m
Southeast 132nd Street Road
1.3 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 236.9 mi, about 4h 15m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 38 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~5,207 veh/hr typical
· worst 6,073
Quietest
2 AM
~284 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
18.3×
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 Silver Springs Shores, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL.
1
Start on Water Track
336 ft·19 sec·Water Track
2
Turn left onto Water Road
200 ft·10 sec·Water Road
3
Turn right onto Spring Road
1.0 mi·2 min·Spring Road
4
Turn right onto Emerald Road
1.0 mi·2 min·Emerald Road
5
Turn right onto Oak Road
1.2 mi·2 min·Oak Road
6
At end of road, turn right onto Southeast 110th Street Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Southeast 110th Street Road
Use the right lane.
7
Turn left onto Southeast 92nd Loop
2.4 mi·3 min·Southeast 92nd Loop
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
Continue on Southeast 132nd Street Road
1.3 mi·1 min·Southeast 132nd Street Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
9
Turn left onto US 301
7.2 mi·10 min·Nathan Mayo Highway
Use the left lane.
10
Continue on US 301
6.3 mi·10 min·US 301
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
12
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
237 mi·4 hr 15 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 67Toward Coconut Creek Parkway, Martin Luther King BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
251 ft·15 sec
Toward East Martin Luther King Boulevard, Atlantic Boulevard
15
Turn left onto Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
1.4 mi·2 min·Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
16
Turn left onto Northwest 16th Avenue
0.1 mi·25 sec·Northwest 16th Avenue
17
Turn right onto North Andrews Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·North Andrews Avenue
18
Turn left onto SR 814
497 ft·16 sec·West Atlantic Boulevard
Use the left lane.
19
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·58 sec
Toward I 95 South: Miami
20
Merge onto I 95
7.2 mi·8 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 27Toward SR 842: Broward Boulevard, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn left onto SR 842
1.8 mi·3 min·West Broward Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
23
Continue on SR 842
0.2 mi·35 sec·East Broward Boulevard
Use the left lane.
24
Arrive at destination
SR 842
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 14m estimated drive time, starting your trip in Silver Springs Shores in the morning allows ample time to reach Fort Lauderdale before evening. The longest stretch on Florida's Turnpike is nearly 237 miles, so consider a brief stop for fuel and stretching before embarking on that segment. While this is a single-day trip, the flexibility means you can depart later if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially on the Turnpike, as services can be spread out.
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 135.7 miles from Silver Springs Shores, FL, or about 2h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 236.9 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 60 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 135.7 miles or 2h 40m 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 14m
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 Silver Springs Shores, 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 Silver Springs Shores, FL
This is one driving day of about 271.4 miles and 5h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Silver Springs Shores, 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 236.9 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.3 and 268.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
3.3 mi into trip|~8m in|Southeast 110th Street Road
At end of road, turn right onto Southeast 110th Street Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
21.5 mi into trip|~37m in|Florida's Turnpike
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8
258.4 mi into trip|~4h 52m 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
259 mi into trip|~4h 54m 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
268.9 mi into trip|~5h 8m 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
$41.08 one way
$82.17 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg95 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$45.08
$90.16
premium
$4.55
$48.62
$97.23
diesel
$4.80
$51.25
$102.49
Estimated Tolls: $16.58
Florida's Turnpike
(236.9 mi)$16.58
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
$41
Tolls
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
81.4
1
$28.50
$13.03
Efficient EV
67.9
0
$23.75
$10.86
EV Truck/SUV
108.6
1
$38.00
$17.37
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (66% 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Silver Springs Shores, FL
Morning
in Silver Springs Shores on Monday
Local time
9:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Partly Cloudy
SE 1 mph10% 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
Destination
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Morning
in Fort Lauderdale on Monday
Local time
9:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Partly Cloudy
S 6 mph8% 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
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
7 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
5h 14m 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 drive is mostly highway, with 92% of the 271.4 miles on major roads. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch on Florida's Turnpike for 236.9 miles. The majority of your travel will be on these high-speed routes before transitioning to Nathan Mayo Highway and other surface roads closer to your destination. Expect a high volume of exits and traffic as you approach the Fort Lauderdale area.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 236.9 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 I 95. You will hit about 18 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3.3 miles in near Southeast 110th Street Road.
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 271.4 miles you will encounter 18 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 3.3 miles (Southeast 110th Street Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 21.5 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 258.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 5h 14m. Total distance: 271.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 14m 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 236.9 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $16.58 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.
Yes — we found about 15 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 15 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.3 miles (Southeast 110th Street Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 21.5 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 258.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.5 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.
