The drive from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Apopka, FL covers 222 miles and takes about 4h 12m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Florida's Turnpike, Western Beltway, Northwest 9th Avenue for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 199.2 miles on Florida's Turnpike.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $35.34 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
111 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 8m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 12m. Total distance: 222 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 4h 12m highway drive covering 222 miles, with most of the trip on Florida's Turnpike and Western Beltway. The longest continuous stretch is about 199.2 miles on Florida's Turnpike.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 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 199.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and Western Beltway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9.8 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 222 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 9.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 209.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 209.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
9.8 mi into trip|~18m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North
8
209.3 mi into trip|~3h 55m in
Take the exit toward FL 429 Toll: Apopka, Tampa, UF Research & Education Center, Winter Garden
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 267A
Toward FL 429 Toll: Apopka, Tampa, UF Research...
6
209.5 mi into trip|~3h 55m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
217.6 mi into trip|~4h 6m in
Take the exit toward FL 414 Toll East: Maitland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 30
Toward FL 414 Toll East: Maitland
7
218.2 mi into trip|~4h 6m in
Keep slight right at fork toward FL 451 Toll North: Apopka
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward FL 451 Toll North: Apopka
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Fort Lauderdale, FL and Apopka, FL, road signs point toward Tampa, Uf Research & Education Center and Winter Garden.
Tampa
209.3 mi in|~3h 55m
Uf Research & Education Center
209.3 mi in|~3h 55m
Winter Garden
209.3 mi in|~3h 55m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
199.2 mi
3h 35m
Western Beltway
6.7 mi
7m
Northwest 9th Avenue
2.9 mi
5m
South Powerline Road
2.4 mi
4m
FL 451 Toll
1.9 mi
2m
Powerline Road
1.1 mi
2m
South Pompano Parkway
1 mi
1m
Orange Blossom Trail
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 199.2 mi, about 3h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Lauderdale, FL and Apopka, FL.
1
Start on SR 842
0.6 mi·1 min·East Broward Boulevard
2
Turn right onto Northwest 9th Avenue
2.9 mi·5 min·Northwest 9th Avenue
3
Continue on SR 845
1.1 mi·2 min·Powerline Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
4
Continue on SR 845
2.4 mi·4 min·South Powerline Road
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on SR 845
1.0 mi·1 min·South Pompano Parkway
Use the left lane.
6
Turn left onto SR 814
0.6 mi·1 min·West Atlantic Boulevard
7
Turn right onto Northwest 31st Avenue
1.0 mi·1 min·Northwest 31st Avenue
Use the right lane.
8
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·16 sec·this road
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll, Miami, OrlandoUse the straight / left lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North
10
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
199 mi·3 hr 35 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 267AToward FL 429 Toll: Apopka, Tampa, UF Research & Education Center, Winter GardenUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
1.3 mi·2 min
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
13
Merge onto FL 429 Toll
6.7 mi·7 min·Western Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.6 mi·41 sec
Exit 30Toward FL 414 Toll East: MaitlandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·47 sec
Toward FL 451 Toll North: ApopkaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on FL 451 Toll
1.9 mi·2 min·FL 451 Toll
17
Turn right onto US 441
1.0 mi·1 min·Orange Blossom Trail
Use the right lane.
18
Turn straight
186 ft·6 sec
19
Continue on West 3rd Street
0.1 mi·38 sec·West 3rd Street
20
Turn left onto Central Avenue
0.1 mi·18 sec·Central Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
Central Avenue
Trip Plan
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 111 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL, or about 2h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 199.2 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 49 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 111 miles or 2h 8m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Apopka, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fort Lauderdale, 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 Fort Lauderdale, FL
This is one driving day of about 222 miles and 4h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Fort Lauderdale, 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 199.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 111 mi from Fort Lauderdale, FL
· 2h 8m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.34 one way
$70.67 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg78 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$38.44
$76.88
premium
$4.72
$41.28
$82.56
diesel
$5.61
$49.01
$98.03
Estimated Tolls: $13.94
Florida's Turnpike
(199.2 mi)$13.94
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
$35
Tolls
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66.6
0
$23.31
$10.66
Efficient EV
55.5
0
$19.42
$8.88
EV Truck/SUV
88.8
1
$31.08
$14.21
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Late night
in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday
Local time
2:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Apopka, FL
Late night
in Apopka on Saturday
Local time
2:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°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
7 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 12m 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 Fort Lauderdale, FL to Apopka, FL covers 222 miles and takes about 4h 12m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Florida's Turnpike, Western Beltway, Northwest 9th Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 111 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $35.34 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 12 significant decision points across 222 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 9.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 209.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 209.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Fort Lauderdale, FL and Apopka, FL, road signs point toward Tampa, Uf Research & Education Center and Winter Garden.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
