Trip from Jacksonville, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL

Drive Time

4h 43m

Distance

326.8 mi

Route Type

Turn-heavy local drive

Long day trip

Trip Overview

The drive from Jacksonville, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL covers 326.8 miles and takes about 4h 43m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Newnan Street, East Forsyth Street, Main Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $53.37 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

163.4 miles from Jacksonville, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day.

Drive Character

Expect a 4h 43m drive with frequent turns across 326.8 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Newnan Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Newnan Street 0 mi 0m
East Forsyth Street 0 mi 0m
Main Street 0 mi 0m
I 95 South 0 mi 0m
I 95 0 mi 0m
FL 70 0 mi 0m
FL 70 West 0 mi 0m
Okeechobee Road 0 mi 0m
Longest stretch: Newnan Street — 0 mi, about 0m

Step-by-Step Directions

1

Start on Union Street

2

Turn right onto Newnan Street

3

Turn right onto East Forsyth Street

4

Turn left onto Main Street

5

Take the ramp straight toward I 95 South

6

Keep slight right to continue on I 95, US 1 South, FL 5 South: Daytona Beach, Philips Highway

7

Keep slight left to continue on I 95 South: Daytona Beach

8

Merge slight left

9

Take the exit slight right toward FL 70: Okeechobee, Fort Pierce

10

Keep slight right to continue on FL 70 West: Okeechobee

11

Merge slight left onto Okeechobee Road

12

Take the ramp left

13

Keep slight left to continue on Miami, Florida's Turnpike South

14

Merge slight left onto Florida's Turnpike

15

Take the exit slight right toward Coconut Creek Parkway, Martin Luther King Boulevard

16

Keep slight left to continue on East Martin Luther King Boulevard, Atlantic Boulevard

17

Turn left onto Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard

18

Turn left onto Northwest 16th Avenue

19

Turn right onto North Andrews Avenue

20

Turn left onto West Atlantic Boulevard

21

Take the ramp slight right toward I 95 South: Miami

22

Merge slight left

23

Take the exit slight right toward FL 842: Broward Boulevard, Downtown

24

Turn left onto West Broward Boulevard

25

Continue on East Broward Boulevard

26

Arrive at your destination

When to Leave

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 163.4 miles from Jacksonville, FL.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Drive Plan

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 80 miles

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 163.4 miles

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Last hour of driving

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 Jacksonville, 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.

Trip Strategy

Day 1

Settle into the route from Jacksonville, FL

This is one driving day of about 326.8 miles and 4h 43m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Jacksonville, 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.

Best Stop Towns on This Route

These towns line up with the pace of this drive and give you clearer places to stop with a purpose.

Late stop town

Meal stop

Port Saint Lucie, FL

163 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.

Travel Advice

Arrival Notes

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.

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.

Stops Along the Way

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 163.4 mi from Jacksonville, FL

Ormond Beach, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Port Saint Lucie, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 163.4 miles from Jacksonville, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions for the drive, so the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
regular $4.15 $53.37 $106.74
midgrade $4.60 $59.13 $118.27
premium $4.90 $62.99 $125.99
diesel $4.35 $55.97 $111.94

Based on 25.4 MPG average. Estimated CO2 emission: 114.3 kg one way.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Jacksonville, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL covers 326.8 miles and takes about 4h 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Newnan Street, East Forsyth Street, Main Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 163.4 miles from Jacksonville, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $53.37 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.

More trips to Fort Lauderdale, FL

Next Route Ideas

Reverse Route

Fort Lauderdale, FL to Jacksonville, FL

Useful if you are planning the return drive and want the same trip in reverse.

326.3 mi 4h 40m

Explore more options from Jacksonville, FL or browse trips ending in Fort Lauderdale, FL .

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse FL road trips .

Going the other way? Trip from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Jacksonville, FL

Explore maps and details for Jacksonville, FL or Fort Lauderdale, FL on MapSof.net.