The drive from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Williston Highlands, FL covers 304.7 miles and takes about 5h 48m 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 75, US 27 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 240.6 miles on Florida's Turnpike.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $49.76 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
152.4 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 53m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 48m. Total distance: 304.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 48m highway drive covering 304.7 miles, with most of the trip on Florida's Turnpike and I 75. The longest continuous stretch is about 240.6 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 240.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and I 75. 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 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 14 significant decision points across 304.7 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 14 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.
7
250.5 mi into trip|~4h 39m in|Florida's Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto Florida's Turnpike toward I 75 North: Ocala
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 75 North: Ocala
8
275.6 mi into trip|~5h 7m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 27 North: Williston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward US 27 North: Williston
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 Williston Highlands, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Williston along the way.
Williston
275.4 mi in|~5h 6m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
240.6 mi
4h 20m
I 75
24.6 mi
26m
US 27
19 mi
23m
Northeast 30 Street
6.2 mi
10m
Northwest 9th Avenue
2.9 mi
5m
South Powerline Road
2.4 mi
4m
FL 121
1.8 mi
2m
East Levy Street
1.3 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 240.6 mi, about 4h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Lauderdale, FL and Williston Highlands, 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
240 mi·4 hr 20 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto Florida's Turnpike
0.2 mi·15 sec·Florida's Turnpike
Toward I 75 North: OcalaUse the straight lane.
12
Merge onto I 75
25 mi·26 min·I 75
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward US 27: Ocala, Williston
14
Keep slight left at fork
295 ft·9 sec
Toward US 27 North: WillistonUse the left lane.
15
Merge onto US 27
19 mi·23 min·US 27
Use the left lane.
16
Turn left onto CR 316
6.2 mi·10 min·Northeast 30 Street
17
Continue on FL 121
1.8 mi·2 min·FL 121
18
Turn right onto East Levy Street
1.3 mi·3 min·East Levy Street
19
Turn right onto CR 316
0.6 mi·1 min·Northeast 140th Avenue
20
Turn left onto Northeast 6th Street
0.1 mi·34 sec·Northeast 6th Street
21
Arrive at destination
Northeast 6th Street
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 152.4 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL, or about 2h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 240.6 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 67 miles or 1h 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 152.4 miles or 2h 53m 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Williston Highlands, 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 304.7 miles and 5h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 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 240.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 152.4 mi from Fort Lauderdale, FL
· 2h 53m into the drive
The midpoint is around 152.4 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 240.6 miles.
Arriving in Williston Highlands, FL
The final approach into Williston Highlands, 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 Williston Highlands, 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 Coffee Stop
Alkimia Coffee House & Roaster LLC
5.0
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Ocala, Florida
Near the end, short detour
1.7 mi from route
~4 min detour
$1 to $10
mile 261.2
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.76 one way
$99.52 round trip
$4.15/gal25.4 MPG avg107 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$55.13
$110.27
premium
$4.90
$58.73
$117.47
diesel
$4.35
$52.18
$104.37
Estimated Tolls: $16.83
Florida's Turnpike
(240.4 mi)$16.83
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
$50
Tolls
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$92–$117
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 106.6 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
91.4
1
$31.99
$14.63
Efficient EV
76.2
0
$26.66
$12.19
EV Truck/SUV
121.9
1
$42.66
$19.50
Gas CO2
107 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Morning
in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday
Local time
6:12 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Williston Highlands, FL
Morning
in Williston Highlands on Saturday
Local time
6:12 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°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
13 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
5h 48m 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 Williston Highlands, FL covers 304.7 miles and takes about 5h 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Florida's Turnpike, I 75, US 27. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 152.4 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 $49.76 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 14 significant decision points across 304.7 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 Williston Highlands, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Williston along the way.
