This 196.2-mile drive from Venice to Fort Lauderdale is a straightforward, highway-focused trip that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 43 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-75 for the majority of the journey, you'll experience a direct route through Florida. With an estimated fuel cost of $31, this trip is budget-friendly for a day excursion. The route is designed for efficiency, making it a practical choice for getting from point A to point B without significant detours. You'll find yourself on major arteries for most of the 196 miles.
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
98.1 miles from Venice, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
174.1 mi
3h 6m
Port Everglades Expressway
10.1 mi
11m
East Venice Avenue
3.7 mi
7m
SR 84
2.2 mi
3m
Marina Boulevard
1.6 mi
3m
Southeast 3rd Avenue
1.5 mi
3m
Jacaranda Boulevard
0.7 mi
1m
West Venice Avenue
0.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 174.1 mi, about 3h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Venice, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL.
1
Start on West Venice Avenue
0.6 mi·2 min·West Venice Avenue
Use the straight lane.
2
Continue on East Venice Avenue
3.7 mi·7 min·East Venice Avenue
Use the straight lane.
3
Enter roundabout onto CR 765
384 ft·6 sec·Jacaranda Boulevard
4
Continue on CR 765
0.6 mi·1 min·Jacaranda Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·51 sec
Toward I 75 South: NaplesUse the right lane.
6
Merge onto I 75
174 mi·3 hr 6 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
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.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 9CToward SR 84 East: Marina Mile BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn straight onto SR 84
0.2 mi·18 sec·SR 84
Toward I 595 East, SR 84 East
10
Keep slight left at fork onto SR 84
2.0 mi·3 min·SR 84
Toward SR 84 East
11
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.
12
Turn left onto Southwest 4th Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Southwest 4th Avenue
Use the left lane.
13
Turn right onto Southwest 17th Street
0.3 mi·33 sec·Southwest 17th Street
14
Continue on Southeast 17th Street
0.1 mi·25 sec·Southeast 17th Street
15
Turn left onto Southeast 3rd Avenue
1.5 mi·3 min·Southeast 3rd Avenue
Use the straight lane.
16
Turn left onto SR 842
0.2 mi·35 sec·East Broward Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
17
Arrive at destination
SR 842
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour and 43-minute drive, starting early is a good strategy to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach Fort Lauderdale. With only one recommended stop and a 174.1-mile stretch on I-75, you can easily cover significant ground before needing a break. Plan your fuel stops strategically; the $31 estimated fuel cost is manageable, but it's always wise to top off before embarking on longer highway segments. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility, but consider the longest stretch on I-75 and ensure you're comfortable driving that distance continuously before planning any extended stops.
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 98.1 miles from Venice, FL, or about 1h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 174.1 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 43 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 98.1 miles or 1h 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 58m
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 Venice, 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 Venice, FL
This is one driving day of about 196.2 miles and 3h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Venice, 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 174.1 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 5 and 194.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
5 mi into trip|~10m in
Take the ramp toward I 75 South: Naples
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 75 South: Naples
9
179.5 mi into trip|~3h 18m 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
189.6 mi into trip|~3h 30m 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
192 mi into trip|~3h 34m 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
194.6 mi into trip|~3h 39m in|Southeast 3rd Avenue
Turn left onto Southeast 3rd Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.23 one way
$62.46 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg69 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$33.97
$67.94
premium
$4.72
$36.48
$72.96
diesel
$5.61
$43.32
$86.64
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
58.9
0
$20.60
$9.42
Efficient EV
49.1
0
$17.17
$7.85
EV Truck/SUV
78.5
0
$27.47
$12.56
Gas CO2
69 kg
EV CO2
23 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 Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Venice, FL
Late night
in Venice on Tuesday
Local time
5:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
Destination
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Late night
in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday
Local time
5:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Naples, FL
98 mi in
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.
Road read
3h 43m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-dominated experience on this 196.2-mile journey, with a substantial 95% of the drive on major roads like I-75 and the Port Everglades Expressway. This profile means you'll be cruising at highway speeds for most of the trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a considerable 174.1 miles on I-75, offering a consistent pace. While largely a highway grind, the initial and final segments might involve navigating local roads like East Venice Avenue, providing a slight change of pace before merging onto the main thoroughfares. The overall feel is one of efficient travel on well-maintained expressways.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 174.1 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 5 miles in.
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 196.2 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 5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 179.5 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 189.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 43m. Total distance: 196.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 43m 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 174.1 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 179.5 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 189.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Fort Lauderdale, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
