Union Park to Fort Lauderdale is 212.4 miles and takes about 4 hours 2 minutes via Florida's Turnpike and I 95, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Florida, taking you from one major metropolitan area to another. Expect a heavily traveled path, especially as you approach South Florida. Given the relatively short drive time and mostly highway profile, this trip is best suited for a single day of travel.
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
106.2 miles from Union Park, 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
84.9 mi
1h 32m
I 95
82.7 mi
1h 29m
Beachline Expressway
25.3 mi
27m
Central Florida GreeneWay
8 mi
8m
West Broward Boulevard
1.8 mi
3m
Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
1.4 mi
2m
East Colonial Drive
1.1 mi
2m
North Andrews Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 84.9 mi, about 1h 32m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 70 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,774 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,697
Quietest
2 AM
~268 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 103 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 Union Park, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL.
1
Start on FL 551
146 ft·4 sec·Goldenrod Road
2
Turn right
309 ft·24 sec
3
Turn right onto FL 50
1.1 mi·2 min·East Colonial Drive
Use the left lane.
4
Turn left
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward FL 417 Toll South: Orlando International AirportUse the left lane.
5
Merge onto FL 417 Toll
8.0 mi·8 min·Central Florida GreeneWay
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.5 mi·59 sec
Exit 26Toward FL 528 Toll: International Airport, CocoaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
1.1 mi·2 min
Toward FL 528 East: Cocoa, Kennedy Space Center
8
Merge onto FL 528 Toll
25 mi·27 min·Beachline Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 42AToward I 95 South: MiamiUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 95
75 mi·1 hr 20 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
Exit 129Toward FL 70: Okeechobee, Fort PierceUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
492 ft·12 sec
Toward FL 70 West: OkeechobeeUse the right lane.
13
Merge onto FL 70
0.5 mi·57 sec·Okeechobee Road
14
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·35 sec
Use the left / uturn lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike SouthUse the left lane.
16
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
85 mi·1 hr 32 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 67Toward Coconut Creek Parkway, Martin Luther King BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork
251 ft·15 sec
Toward East Martin Luther King Boulevard, Atlantic Boulevard
19
Turn left onto Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
1.4 mi·2 min·Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
20
Turn left onto Northwest 16th Avenue
0.1 mi·25 sec·Northwest 16th Avenue
21
Turn right onto North Andrews Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·North Andrews Avenue
22
Turn left onto SR 814
497 ft·16 sec·West Atlantic Boulevard
Use the left lane.
23
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·58 sec
Toward I 95 South: Miami
24
Merge onto I 95
7.2 mi·8 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 27Toward SR 842: Broward Boulevard, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Turn left onto SR 842
1.8 mi·3 min·West Broward Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
27
Continue on SR 842
0.2 mi·35 sec·East Broward Boulevard
Use the left lane.
28
Arrive at destination
SR 842
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4-hour drive, consider departing Union Park in the morning to avoid heavier traffic, especially as you get closer to Fort Lauderdale. The drive is manageable in one day, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace, you could stop midway. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the longest stretch without exiting is quite substantial. Plan for at least one quick stop for a break or to refuel, perhaps before you hit the busiest sections of I 95.
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 106.2 miles from Union Park, FL, or about 1h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.9 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 47 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 106.2 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 13m
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 Union Park, 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 Union Park, FL
This is one driving day of about 212.4 miles and 4h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Union Park, 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 84.9 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 9.7 and 209.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
9.7 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the exit toward FL 528 Toll: International Airport, Cocoa
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 26
Toward FL 528 Toll: International Airport, Coco...
8
112.8 mi into trip|~2h 5m in
Take the exit toward FL 70: Okeechobee, Fort Pierce
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 129
Toward FL 70: Okeechobee, Fort Pierce
8
114 mi into trip|~2h 7m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike South
8
199.4 mi into trip|~3h 41m 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...
8
209.9 mi into trip|~3h 57m 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
$34.15 one way
$68.30 round trip
$4.08/gal25.4 MPG avg74 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$37.25
$74.51
premium
$4.78
$39.99
$79.98
diesel
$6.28
$52.48
$104.96
Estimated Tolls: $5.94
Florida's Turnpike
(84.9 mi)$5.94
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
$34
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
63.7
0
$22.30
$10.20
Efficient EV
53.1
0
$18.59
$8.50
EV Truck/SUV
85
1
$29.74
$13.59
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 Oct 22, 2026
Origin
Union Park, FL
Late night
in Union Park on Saturday
Local time
1:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Sunny
NNE 10 to 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued October 22 at 9:36AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued October 22 at 9:36AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Destination
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Late night
in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday
Local time
1:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
N 15 mph46% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued October 22 at 9:36AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued October 22 at 9:36AM EDT by NWS Melbourne 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
2 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 2m 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.
Canaveral National Seashore
National Seashore
Discover a dynamic barrier island shaped by dunes, coastal hammocks, and Mosquito Lagoon. Walk among ancient Timucua shell mounds and connect with thousands of years of human history. Immerse yourself...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
$25
near mile 29.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is predominantly highway driving, with 91% of the 212.4 miles on major roadways. You'll encounter a long stretch of 84.9 miles on Florida's Turnpike before transitioning to other highways. Expect frequent exits and merges as you navigate through populated areas, particularly on I 95.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 84.9 mi on Florida's Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 9.7 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 212.4 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 9.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 114 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
83 ft2 ft
Total Climb
22 ft
Total Descent
103 ft
Highest Point
83 ft
Elevation Range
81 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Union Park, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL, road signs point toward Fort Pierce, Miami and Florida's Turnpike South.
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 4h 2m. Total distance: 212.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 84.9 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $5.94 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 9.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 114 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Canaveral National Seashore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Fort Lauderdale, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
