Origin
Dade City, FL
Evening in Dade City on Wednesday
Local time
7:21 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Dade City, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
4h 59m
Distance
242.2 mi
390 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 46m
★
6 AM
5h 0m
8 AM
5h 27m
10 AM
5h 9m
12 PM
5h 7m
3 PM
5h 11m
5 PM
5h 25m
8 PM
4h 52m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dade City, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Dade City to Fort Lauderdale covers 242.2 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 59 minutes behind the wheel. Because this trip is highway-focused, it is easily manageable as a single-day journey, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $40 on fuel for the trek. You will primarily utilize Florida's Turnpike, FL 60, and US 98 to navigate between these two Florida locations. It is a straightforward transit route that prioritizes efficiency over local sightseeing, making it an ideal choice if your goal is to reach the coast as quickly as possible.
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
121.1 miles from Dade City, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 29m into the drive .
Drive Character
With 97% of the journey spent on highways, this drive is defined by a consistent, high-speed pace. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, especially during the longest uninterrupted stretch of 125.3 miles on Florida's Turnpike. While the route transitions across the state, the experience remains largely focused on interstate travel rather than technical or winding local roads. You should anticipate a fairly monotonous drive that rewards steady cruising over complex navigation. It is a practical, no-nonsense route that keeps you moving toward your destination with minimal interference from surface streets.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Meridian Avenue is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h 59m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Dade City, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Meridian Avenue | — | — |
| 7th Street | — | — |
| the route | — | — |
| Broadway Avenue | — | — |
| Van Fleet Drive | — | — |
| Florida's Turnpike South | — | — |
| Florida's Turnpike | — | — |
| Coconut Creek Parkway | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Meridian Avenue
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dade City, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL.
1
Start on 14th Street
52 ft
·
9 sec
·
14th Street
2
Turn left onto Meridian Avenue
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Meridian Avenue
3
Turn right onto 7th Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
7th Street
4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward the route
121 ft
·
2 sec
·
the route
5
Exit the roundabout
0.9 mi
·
1 min
6
Continue straight
1.2 mi
·
2 min
7
Turn left
26 mi
·
35 min
8
Turn left
12 mi
·
18 min
9
Continue on Broadway Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Broadway Avenue
10
Turn left onto Van Fleet Drive
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Van Fleet Drive
11
Continue straight
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
12
Continue straight
11 mi
·
13 min
13
Continue straight
4.3 mi
·
5 min
14
Continue straight
46 mi
·
59 min
15
Take the exit left
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
16
Continue straight
295 ft
·
7 sec
17
Keep slight right to continue on Florida's Turnpike South: Miami
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Florida's Turnpike South: Miami
18
Merge slight left onto Florida's Turnpike
125 mi
·
2 hr 15 min
·
Florida's Turnpike
19
Take the exit slight right toward Coconut Creek Parkway, Martin Luther King Boulevard
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Coconut Creek Parkway, Martin Luther King Boulevard
20
Keep slight left to continue on East Martin Luther King Boulevard, Atlantic Boulevard
253 ft
·
15 sec
·
East Martin Luther King Boulevard, Atlantic Boulevard
21
Turn left onto Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
22
Turn left onto Northwest 16th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
Northwest 16th Avenue
23
Turn right onto North Andrews Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Andrews Avenue
24
Turn left onto West Atlantic Boulevard
495 ft
·
17 sec
·
West Atlantic Boulevard
25
Take the ramp slight right toward I 95 South: Miami
0.4 mi
·
58 sec
·
I 95 South: Miami
26
Merge slight left
7.2 mi
·
8 min
27
Take the exit slight right toward SR 842: Broward Boulevard, Downtown
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
SR 842: Broward Boulevard, Downtown
28
Turn left onto West Broward Boulevard
1.8 mi
·
4 min
·
West Broward Boulevard
29
Continue on East Broward Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
East Broward Boulevard
30
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
To keep your drive smooth, aim to complete the trip in one go, as it is well-suited for a single day of travel. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh, as the nearly five-hour duration can become fatiguing during the long highway segments. Traffic patterns on the Turnpike can shift quickly, so checking for real-time congestion before you depart is a smart move. Given the heavy reliance on major toll roads, ensure your SunPass or payment method is ready before you hit the road. By pacing yourself and staying mindful of your fuel levels, you can make this 242.2-mile trek feel like a routine commute.
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 121.1 miles from Dade City, FL, or about 2h 29m into the drive.
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 53 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 121.1 miles or 2h 29m 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 5m
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 Dade City, 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 Dade City, FL
This is one driving day of about 242.2 miles and 4h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Dade City, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 121.1 mi from Dade City, FL · 2h 29m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
121 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 53 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 121.1 miles from Dade City, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.55 one way
$77.10 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
85 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $41.94 | $83.87 |
| premium | $4.72 | $45.04 | $90.07 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $53.47 | $106.95 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 72.7 | 0 | $25.43 | $11.63 |
| Efficient EV | 60.6 | 0 | $21.19 | $9.69 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 96.9 | 1 | $33.91 | $15.50 |
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
28 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
Evening in Fort Lauderdale on Wednesday
Local time
7:21 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°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
10 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 59m 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 Dade City, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL covers 242.2 miles and takes about 4h 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Meridian Avenue, 7th Street, the route. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 121.1 miles from Dade City, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $38.55 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 straightforward 4h 59m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Dade City, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Dade City, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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