Origin
Brooksville, FL
Afternoon in Brooksville on Sunday
Local time
3:51 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Brooksville, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL
Drive Time
5h 16m
Distance
268.2 mi
432 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$45
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 3m
★
6 AM
5h 16m
8 AM
5h 43m
10 AM
5h 26m
12 PM
5h 23m
3 PM
5h 27m
5 PM
5h 42m
8 PM
5h 8m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Brooksville, FL
Matt Fitz Gibaud
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Kelly
Trip Overview
If you are planning to head from Brooksville to Fort Lauderdale, prepare for a 268.2-mile journey that typically takes about 5 hours and 16 minutes behind the wheel. This route is designed for efficiency, relying heavily on Florida's Turnpike to bridge the gap between the two cities. Budgeting around $45 for fuel is a safe estimate for the trip, which is easily manageable in a single day. Because the drive is straightforward and highway-focused, you won't need to worry about an overnight split unless you prefer a slower pace. You will be traveling from the Hernando County area down into the bustling Southeast Florida region, transitioning from a more relaxed inland setting to the dense urban corridor of the coast.
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
134.1 miles from Brooksville, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 44m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highly efficient transit, as 83 percent of this trip is spent on highways. The character of the drive is defined by the massive 204.3-mile stretch on Florida's Turnpike, which serves as the backbone of your journey. You will start by navigating local roads like Cortez Boulevard and FL 50 before merging onto the high-speed turnpike system. Because this is a highway-focused drive, the experience is consistent and fast-paced once you clear the initial local segments. It is a functional, no-nonsense route that prioritizes getting you to your destination as quickly as possible rather than offering varied, technical backroads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Florida's Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 204.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and Cortez Boulevard. 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 US 41; US 98; FL 50A / Broad Street.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 268.2 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 0.1 miles (US 41; US 98; FL 50A / Broad Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 50.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 255.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 41; US 98; FL 50A / Broad Street
Turn left onto US 41; US 98; FL 50A / Broad Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
50.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 12m in
Take the exit toward Florida's Turnpike Toll South, Miami
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.
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll South, Miami
8
255.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 54m 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
255.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 56m 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
265.7 mi into trip
|
~5h 10m 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
Towns Along This Route
Between Brooksville, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike Toll South and Miami.
Florida's Turnpike Toll South
50.1 mi in
|
~1h 12m
Miami
50.1 mi in
|
~1h 12m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Florida's Turnpike | 204.3 mi | 3h 40m |
| Cortez Boulevard | 33.7 mi | 45m |
| FL 50 | 11.7 mi | 18m |
| I 95 | 7.2 mi | 8m |
| West Orange Street | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| West Broward Boulevard | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Jefferson Street | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard | 1.4 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 204.3 mi, about 3h 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brooksville, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL.
1
Start on US 41; US 98; FL 50A
151 ft
·
9 sec
·
Jefferson Street
2
Turn left onto North Bailey Avenue
275 ft
·
17 sec
·
North Bailey Avenue
3
Turn left onto US 41; US 98; FL 50A
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Broad Street
Use the none lane.
4
Turn right onto US 98; FL 50A
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Jefferson Street
Use the none lane.
5
Continue on US 98; FL 50
34 mi
·
45 min
·
Cortez Boulevard
Use the none lane.
6
Continue on FL 50; FL 33
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Broad Street
Use the none lane.
7
Continue on FL 50; FL 33
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
West Orange Street
Use the none lane.
8
Continue on FL 50
4.6 mi
·
7 min
·
FL 50
Use the left / none lanes.
9
Continue on FL 50
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
FL 50
Use the none lane.
10
Continue on FL 50
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
FL 50
Use the none lane.
11
Continue on FL 50
3.5 mi
·
5 min
·
FL 50
Use the none lane.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll South, Miami
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
14
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
204 mi
·
3 hr 40 min
·
Florida's Turnpike
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 67
Toward Coconut Creek Parkway, Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use 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 none / straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 27
Toward SR 842: Broward Boulevard, Downtown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Turn left onto SR 842
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
West Broward Boulevard
Use the none / straight lanes.
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
To make the most of your 5-hour and 16-minute drive, try to time your departure to avoid peak traffic hours in the metropolitan areas you will be entering. With only one recommended stop planned, you have plenty of flexibility to stretch your legs whenever you need a quick break from the turnpike. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the long 204.3-mile highway segment, though service plazas are readily available along the route to keep your tank topped off. Since this is a single-day trip, consider leaving early in the morning to maximize your time in Fort Lauderdale. A smart tip for this specific route is to have your toll payment method ready, as the heavy reliance on Florida's Turnpike means you will encounter multiple toll points along the way.
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 134.1 miles from Brooksville, FL, or about 2h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 204.3 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 80 miles or 1h 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134.1 miles or 2h 44m 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 16m
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 Brooksville, 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 Brooksville, FL
This is one driving day of about 268.2 miles and 5h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Brooksville, 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 204.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 134.1 mi from Brooksville, FL · 2h 44m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
134 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 134.1 miles from Brooksville, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Florida's Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 204.3 miles.
Arriving in Fort Lauderdale, FL
The final approach into Fort Lauderdale, FL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Fort Lauderdale, FL.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.80 one way
$89.60 round trip
$4.24/gal
25.4 MPG avg
94 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $48.53 | $97.06 |
| premium | $4.90 | $51.70 | $103.39 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $59.58 | $119.17 |
Estimated Tolls: $14.30
Florida's Turnpike
(204.3 mi)
$14.30
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
$45
Tolls
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$84–$109
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 80.5 | 0 | $28.16 | $12.87 |
| Efficient EV | 67.1 | 0 | $23.47 | $10.73 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 107.3 | 1 | $37.55 | $17.16 |
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Destination
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Afternoon in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday
Local time
3:51 PM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
9 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 16m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Brooksville, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL covers 268.2 miles and takes about 5h 16m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Florida's Turnpike, Cortez Boulevard, FL 50. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 134.1 miles from Brooksville, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $44.80 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 268.2 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 41; US 98; FL 50A / Broad Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 50.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 255.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Brooksville, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike Toll South and Miami.
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