Sugarmill Woods to Fort Lauderdale is 291.3 miles and takes about 5h 43m via Florida's Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route keeps you within Florida for its entirety, moving from the Gulf Coast region towards South Florida. It's primarily a highway drive, making it a straightforward option if you're looking to cover ground efficiently. Consider this a practical choice for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.
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
145.7 miles from Sugarmill Woods, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
240.2 mi
4h 19m
Gulf to Lake Highway
15 mi
20m
South Pleasant Grove Road
9.1 mi
13m
I 95
7.2 mi
8m
West Stage Coach Trail
5.7 mi
10m
West Oak Park Boulevard
4 mi
7m
West Broward Boulevard
1.8 mi
3m
Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 240.2 mi, about 4h 19m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 19 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 Sugarmill Woods, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL.
1
Start on Honeysuckle Court South
169 ft·8 sec·Honeysuckle Court South
2
Continue on Honeysuckle Court South
462 ft·25 sec·Honeysuckle Court South
3
Turn left onto Honeysuckle Drive
510 ft·27 sec·Honeysuckle Drive
4
Turn left onto Corkwood Boulevard
0.9 mi·3 min·Corkwood Boulevard
5
At end of road, turn left onto CR 480
4.0 mi·7 min·West Oak Park Boulevard
6
Continue on CR 480
5.7 mi·10 min·West Stage Coach Trail
7
At end of road, turn left onto CR 480; CR 581
9.1 mi·13 min·South Pleasant Grove Road
8
Turn right onto Druid Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Druid Road
9
At end of road, turn left onto South Montgomery Avenue
0.2 mi·38 sec·South Montgomery Avenue
10
Turn right onto West Highland Boulevard
1.1 mi·2 min·West Highland Boulevard
11
Continue on FL 44
15 mi·20 min·Gulf to Lake Highway
12
Take the ramp
0.7 mi·1 min
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward Florida's Turnpike South, OrlandoUse the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
240 mi·4 hr 19 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 67Toward Coconut Creek Parkway, Martin Luther King BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
251 ft·15 sec
Toward East Martin Luther King Boulevard, Atlantic Boulevard
17
Turn left onto Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
1.4 mi·2 min·Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
18
Turn left onto Northwest 16th Avenue
0.1 mi·25 sec·Northwest 16th Avenue
19
Turn right onto North Andrews Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·North Andrews Avenue
20
Turn left onto SR 814
497 ft·16 sec·West Atlantic Boulevard
Use the left lane.
21
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·58 sec
Toward I 95 South: Miami
22
Merge onto I 95
7.2 mi·8 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 27Toward SR 842: Broward Boulevard, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Turn left onto SR 842
1.8 mi·3 min·West Broward Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
25
Continue on SR 842
0.2 mi·35 sec·East Broward Boulevard
Use the left lane.
26
Arrive at destination
SR 842
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 43m estimated drive time, starting your trip in the morning is advisable to allow ample daylight for the entire journey. You'll have a good amount of highway driving, so plan for a brief stop around the halfway point, perhaps after covering the initial 120 miles or so. With a fuel cost estimated at $46, be sure to check your fuel level before departing Sugarmill Woods. The longest stretch is over 240 miles on Florida's Turnpike, so be prepared for that continuous segment of highway travel.
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 145.7 miles from Sugarmill Woods, FL, or about 2h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 240.2 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 64 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 145.7 miles or 2h 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 4h 39m
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 Sugarmill Woods, 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 Sugarmill Woods, FL
This is one driving day of about 291.3 miles and 5h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Sugarmill Woods, 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 240.2 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 288.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Honeysuckle Drive
Turn left onto Honeysuckle Drive
Navigation decision point
8
37.5 mi into trip|~1h 1m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando
8
278.3 mi into trip|~5h 21m 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
278.9 mi into trip|~5h 23m 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
288.8 mi into trip|~5h 37m 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
$44.10 one way
$88.19 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg102 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$48.39
$96.77
premium
$4.55
$52.18
$104.36
diesel
$4.80
$55.00
$110.01
Estimated Tolls: $16.82
Florida's Turnpike
(240.2 mi)$16.82
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
$44
Tolls
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$86–$111
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 101.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
87.4
1
$30.59
$13.98
Efficient EV
72.8
0
$25.49
$11.65
EV Truck/SUV
116.5
1
$40.78
$18.64
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Sugarmill Woods, FL
Afternoon
in Sugarmill Woods on Sunday
Local time
3:38 PM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
SSE 3 mph49% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 6:19PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 7:19PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Destination
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Afternoon
in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday
Local time
3:38 PM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
S 3 to 10 mph41% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 6:19PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 7:19PM 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
8 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 43m 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 85% of the 291.3 miles on major roadways. You'll experience a long stretch of 240.2 miles on Florida's Turnpike, which means consistent cruising and a high number of exits to manage. The remaining portion will transition to surface roads like Gulf to Lake Highway and South Pleasant Grove Road as you approach your destination.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 240.2 mi on Florida's Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and Gulf to Lake Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Honeysuckle Drive.
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 19 significant decision points across 291.3 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 0.1 miles (Honeysuckle Drive): Navigation decision point; at 37.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 278.3 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
152 ft2 ft
Total Climb
136 ft
Total Descent
220 ft
Highest Point
152 ft
~83.2 mi in
Elevation Range
150 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Sugarmill Woods, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike South and Orlando.
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 43m. Total distance: 291.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 240.2 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $16.82 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 18 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 18 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Honeysuckle Drive): Navigation decision point; at 37.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 278.3 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 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.4 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.
