Origin
Coral Springs, FL
Afternoon in Coral Springs on Sunday
Local time
4:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
3h 56m
Distance
184.2 mi
297 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Coral Springs, FL
DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ
Fort Meade, FL
Arian Fernandez
Traveling from Coral Springs to Fort Meade covers 184.2 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 56 minutes. This trip is perfectly manageable as a one-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $31 on fuel, making it a relatively affordable trek across the Florida landscape. By utilizing a combination of the Sawgrass Expressway, US 27, and US 98, you’ll transition from the suburban sprawl of South Florida toward the more rural, inland areas of the state. It is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that prioritizes efficiency over exploration, so keep that in mind if you prefer a more leisurely pace.
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
92.1 miles from Coral Springs, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 56m into the drive .
Expect a highly efficient transit, as 98% of this route consists of highway driving. You will spend the vast majority of your time on US 27, which accounts for a significant 149.3-mile stretch of the journey. Because this is a highway-focused drive, the experience behind the wheel is centered on steady speeds and consistent pavement rather than winding backroads. As you move away from the expressway and settle into the longer highway segments, the character of the road becomes quite uniform. Be prepared for a functional, high-speed transit that gets you from point A to point B with minimal deviation.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 27 and US 98. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.8 miles in.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 184.2 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 1.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles (SR 869 Toll / Sawgrass Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the ramp toward SR 869 Toll South: Sawgrass Expressway
Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto SR 869 Toll / Sawgrass Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 75 North: Alligator Alley, Naples
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward US 27: Hialeah, South Bay
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward US 27 North: South Bay
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Between Coral Springs, FL and Fort Meade, FL, road signs point toward Naples and Bay.
Naples
Bay
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 27 | 149.3 mi | 3h 7m |
| US 98 | 15 mi | 20m |
| Sawgrass Expressway | 10.9 mi | 12m |
| I 75 | 4.7 mi | 5m |
| West Sample Road | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| I 595 | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| North Lanier Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| 1st Street Northeast | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Coral Springs, FL and Fort Meade, FL.
Start on this road
Turn left onto West Sample Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto SR 869 Toll
Take the exit
Merge onto I 595
Merge onto I 75
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto US 27
Continue on US 27
Continue on US 27; FL 80
Continue on US 27
Continue on US 27
Continue on US 27
Turn left onto US 98
Keep slight left at fork onto US 98
Turn right onto North Lanier Avenue
Turn left onto 1st Street Northeast
Turn left onto US 17; US 98
Arrive at destination
Since this is a sub-four-hour drive, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. With only one recommended stop planned for the 184.2-mile distance, try to pace yourself to avoid fatigue during that long 149.3-mile stretch on US 27. It is wise to fuel up before leaving Coral Springs to ensure you stay within your $31 gas budget without needing to hunt for stations in more remote areas. Keep a close eye on your speed as you transition between the different highway sections, as traffic patterns can shift quickly. Taking a quick break midway through the drive will help you stay alert as you approach Fort Meade.
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.
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 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 92.1 miles or 1h 56m 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 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fort Meade, FL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Coral Springs, 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 Coral Springs, FL
This is one driving day of about 184.2 miles and 3h 56m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 92.1 mi from Coral Springs, FL · 1h 56m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
92 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 92.1 miles from Coral Springs, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 27 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 149.3 miles.
The final approach into Fort Meade, 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 Meade, 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.
Regular Gas
$30.77 one way
$61.54 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $33.33 | $66.66 |
| premium | $4.90 | $35.51 | $71.01 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $40.92 | $81.85 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.87
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
$31
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 64.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 55.3 | 0 | $19.34 | $8.84 |
| Efficient EV | 46.1 | 0 | $16.12 | $7.37 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 73.7 | 0 | $25.79 | $11.79 |
Gas CO2
64 kg
EV CO2
22 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Coral Springs on Sunday
Local time
4:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Fort Meade on Sunday
Local time
4:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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