Origin
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Afternoon in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday
Local time
12:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Southgate, FL
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 55m
Distance
210 mi
338 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 42m
★
6 AM
3h 55m
8 AM
4h 21m
10 AM
4h 4m
12 PM
4h 1m
3 PM
4h 5m
5 PM
4h 19m
8 PM
3h 47m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Southgate, FL
Arian Fernandez
Trip Overview
This 210-mile journey from Fort Lauderdale to Southgate, Florida, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 3 hours and 55 minutes. The route primarily utilizes I-75, making it a highway-focused drive with a 95% highway share. You can expect a fuel cost of around $33 for this trip. With only one recommended stop and the longest stretch of driving being 188.5 miles on I-75, it’s a straightforward drive that keeps you moving. This trip is ideal for those who prefer efficient travel and don't require extensive sightseeing along the way.
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
105 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 57m into the drive .
About the Cities
Starting in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Full guide →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).
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 55m. Total distance: 210 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway experience on this route, with 95% of your travel occurring on high-speed roads like I-75. You’ll cover a significant distance, with an uninterrupted 188.5-mile segment on I-75, so be prepared for long stretches of consistent driving. The initial part of the drive involves the Port Everglades Expressway before merging onto the expansive I-75. While this profile is highway-focused, the transition from expressways to interstates is smooth, offering a predictable driving experience for most of the 210 miles.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 75 is the longest continuous segment at about 188.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 1.8 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 210 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: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.3 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
1.8 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 595: Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale - Hollywood International Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 595: Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale...
7
3.9 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 595 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 595 West
6
6.3 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
16.4 mi into trip
|
~22m in
|
I 75
Merge onto I 75
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
204.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 44m in
Take the exit toward FL 758: Sarasota
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 207
Toward FL 758: Sarasota
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 188.5 mi | 3h 21m |
| Port Everglades Expressway | 11.5 mi | 13m |
| Bee Ridge Road | 3.2 mi | 5m |
| East Broward Boulevard | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Webber Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Beneva Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 188.5 mi, about 3h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Lauderdale, FL and Southgate, FL.
1
Start on SR 842
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
East Broward Boulevard
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward I 95 South: Miami
3
Keep slight right at fork
2.2 mi
·
3 min
Toward I 595: Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale - Hollywood International Airport
Use the slight right lane.
4
Keep slight right at fork
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 595 West
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
5
Merge onto I 595
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Port Everglades Expressway
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 595
10 mi
·
11 min
·
Port Everglades Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 75
188 mi
·
3 hr 21 min
·
I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 207
Toward FL 758: Sarasota
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
10
Turn left onto FL 758
3.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Bee Ridge Road
11
Turn right onto CR 773
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Beneva Road
12
Turn left onto Webber Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Webber Street
13
Arrive at destination
Webber Street
Trip Plan
For this 210-mile drive, departing early in the morning can help you avoid potential traffic, especially as you navigate out of the Fort Lauderdale area. Given the relatively short duration of under four hours and the highway-focused nature, you can comfortably complete this trip in one day. Plan for one stop to refuel or stretch your legs, perhaps around the halfway point of the 188.5-mile I-75 stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services can be spaced out on longer interstate segments. The estimated fuel cost is $33, so factor that into your budget.
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 105 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL, or about 1h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 188.5 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 46 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105 miles or 1h 57m 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 Southgate, 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 210 miles and 3h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 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 I 75 for about 188.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 105 mi from Fort Lauderdale, FL · 1h 57m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
105 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 46 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 105 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 188.5 miles.
Arriving in Southgate, FL
The final approach into Southgate, 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 Southgate, 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
$33.43 one way
$66.85 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
74 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $36.36 | $72.72 |
| premium | $4.72 | $39.05 | $78.10 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $46.37 | $92.73 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 63 | 0 | $22.05 | $10.08 |
| Efficient EV | 52.5 | 0 | $18.38 | $8.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 84 | 1 | $29.40 | $13.44 |
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
25 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Southgate, FL
Afternoon in Southgate on Saturday
Local time
12:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°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
6 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
3h 55m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Southgate, FL covers 210 miles and takes about 3h 55m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, Port Everglades Expressway, Bee Ridge Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 105 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 $33.43 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 210 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 1.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.3 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Southgate, FL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Southgate, FL
More trips to Southgate, FL
Explore more options from Fort Lauderdale, FL or browse trips ending in Southgate, FL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse FL road trips.