The drive from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Altamonte Springs, FL covers 218.3 miles and takes about 4h 9m 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, I 4, Northwest 9th Avenue for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 191 miles on Florida's Turnpike.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $34.75 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
109.2 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 7m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 9m. Total distance: 218.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 4h 9m highway drive covering 218.3 miles, with most of the trip on Florida's Turnpike and I 4. The longest continuous stretch is about 191 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 18 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 191 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and I 4. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8.7 miles in near Northwest 31st Avenue.
Driving Effort7/10
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 218.3 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 8.7 miles (Northwest 31st Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.1 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
8.7 mi into trip|~16m in|Northwest 31st Avenue
Turn right onto Northwest 31st Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
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
5
10.1 mi into trip|~19m in|Florida's Turnpike
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
201.1 mi into trip|~3h 46m in
Take the exit toward I 4: Orlando, Tampa
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 259
Toward I 4: Orlando, Tampa
8
216.5 mi into trip|~4h 5m in
Take the exit toward FL 436: Altamonte Springs, Casselberry
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 92
Toward FL 436: Altamonte Springs, Casselberry
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Altamonte Springs, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Tampa along the way.
Tampa
201.1 mi in|~3h 46m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
191 mi
3h 27m
I 4
14.6 mi
17m
Northwest 9th Avenue
2.9 mi
5m
South Powerline Road
2.4 mi
4m
East Altamonte Drive
1.3 mi
2m
Powerline Road
1.1 mi
2m
South Pompano Parkway
1 mi
1m
Northwest 31st Avenue
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 191 mi, about 3h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Lauderdale, FL and Altamonte Springs, 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
191 mi·3 hr 27 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·54 sec
Exit 259Toward I 4: Orlando, TampaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward I 4 East: Downtown Orlando
13
Merge onto I 4
15 mi·17 min·I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·35 sec
Exit 92Toward FL 436: Altamonte Springs, CasselberryUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn straight onto FL 436
1.3 mi·2 min·East Altamonte Drive
16
Turn right onto CR 427
0.2 mi·23 sec·Maitland Avenue
17
Turn left onto Orienta Avenue
118 ft·5 sec·Orienta Avenue
18
Arrive at destination
Orienta 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 109.2 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL, or about 2h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 191 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 48 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 109.2 miles or 2h 7m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Altamonte Springs, 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 218.3 miles and 4h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 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 191 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 109.2 mi from Fort Lauderdale, FL
· 2h 7m into the drive
The midpoint is around 109.2 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before Florida's Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 191 miles.
Arriving in Altamonte Springs, FL
The final approach into Altamonte Springs, 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 Altamonte Springs, 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.
Nearby Places
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Holy Grain Coffee Shop
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Orlando, Florida
Near the end, short detour
2.4 mi from route
~6 min detour
$1 to $10
mile 202.7
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.75 one way
$69.50 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg76 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$37.80
$75.60
premium
$4.72
$40.59
$81.18
diesel
$5.61
$48.20
$96.40
Estimated Tolls: $13.37
Florida's Turnpike
(191 mi)$13.37
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
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65.5
0
$22.92
$10.48
Efficient EV
54.6
0
$19.10
$8.73
EV Truck/SUV
87.3
1
$30.56
$13.97
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% 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 17, 2026
Origin
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Late night
in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday
Local time
12:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Altamonte Springs, FL
Late night
in Altamonte Springs on Saturday
Local time
12:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Patchy Fog then Sunny
N 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive 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
21 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 9m 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 Altamonte Springs, FL covers 218.3 miles and takes about 4h 9m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Florida's Turnpike, I 4, 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 109.2 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 $34.75 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 11 significant decision points across 218.3 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 8.7 miles (Northwest 31st Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.1 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Altamonte Springs, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Tampa along the way.
