Skip to main content
Trip.ovh Logo
Trip.ovh

Trip from Laurel, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

3h 41m

Distance

197 mi

317 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$31

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 29m ★
6 AM
3h 41m
8 AM
4h 6m
10 AM
3h 50m
12 PM
3h 48m
3 PM
3h 51m
5 PM
4h 5m
8 PM
3h 34m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown Laurel, FL, FL

Laurel, FL

Wyxina Tresse

city ​​in Broward County, Florida, United States

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Laurel, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL covers 197 miles and takes about 3h 41m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 75, Port Everglades Expressway, Laurel Road East for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 176.6 miles on I 75. At current regular gas prices, budget about $31.36 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

98.5 miles from Laurel, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 48m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 41m. Total distance: 197 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 3h 41m highway drive covering 197 miles, with most of the trip on I 75 and Port Everglades Expressway. The longest continuous stretch is about 176.6 miles on I 75.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 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 176.6 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 3.6 miles in near I 75.

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 12 significant decision points across 197 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 3.6 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 180.2 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 190.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.

5
3.6 mi into trip | ~6m in | I 75

Merge onto I 75

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
180.2 mi into trip | ~3h 16m in | I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 19 Toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Spr...
7
190.4 mi into trip | ~3h 27m in

Take the exit toward SR 84 East: Marina Mile Boulevard

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 9C Toward SR 84 East: Marina Mile Boulevard
7
192.8 mi into trip | ~3h 32m in | SR 84 / Marina Boulevard

Keep slight right at fork onto SR 84 / Marina Boulevard toward SR 84 East: Marina Mile Boulevard

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward SR 84 East: Marina Mile Boulevard
6
195.3 mi into trip | ~3h 37m in | Southeast 3rd Avenue

Turn left onto Southeast 3rd Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 75 176.6 mi 3h 9m
Port Everglades Expressway 10.1 mi 11m
Laurel Road East 2.8 mi 5m
SR 84 2.2 mi 3m
Marina Boulevard 1.6 mi 3m
Southeast 3rd Avenue 1.5 mi 3m
Southwest 4th Avenue 0.5 mi 1m
Tamiami Trail 0.4 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 75 — 176.6 mi, about 3h 9m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Laurel, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL.

1

Start on US 41

0.4 mi · 47 sec · Tamiami Trail
2

Turn left onto CR 762

2.8 mi · 5 min · Laurel Road East
3

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 49 sec
Toward I 75 South: Naples
4

Merge onto I 75

177 mi · 3 hr 9 min · I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Keep slight right at fork onto I 595

10 mi · 11 min · Port Everglades Expressway
Exit 19 Toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Exit 9C Toward SR 84 East: Marina Mile Boulevard Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Turn straight onto SR 84

0.2 mi · 18 sec · SR 84
Toward I 595 East, SR 84 East
8

Keep slight left at fork onto SR 84

2.0 mi · 3 min · SR 84
Toward SR 84 East
9

Keep slight right at fork onto SR 84

1.6 mi · 3 min · Marina Boulevard
Toward SR 84 East: Marina Mile Boulevard Use the right lane.
10

Turn left onto Southwest 4th Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · Southwest 4th Avenue
Use the left lane.
11

Turn right onto Southwest 17th Street

0.3 mi · 33 sec · Southwest 17th Street
12

Continue on Southeast 17th Street

0.1 mi · 25 sec · Southeast 17th Street
13

Turn left onto Southeast 3rd Avenue

1.5 mi · 3 min · Southeast 3rd Avenue
Use the straight lane.
14

Turn left onto SR 842

0.2 mi · 35 sec · East Broward Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
15

Arrive at destination

SR 842

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 98.5 miles from Laurel, FL, or about 1h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 176.6 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 43 miles or 49m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 98.5 miles or 1h 48m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 56m

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 Laurel, 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 Laurel, FL

This is one driving day of about 197 miles and 3h 41m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Laurel, 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 176.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 98.5 mi from Laurel, FL · 1h 48m into the drive

city in Lee County, Florida, USA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bonita Springs, FL

99 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

Punta Gorda, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 43 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bonita Springs, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 98.5 miles from Laurel, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 176.6 miles.

Arriving in Fort Lauderdale, FL

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.

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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

De Soto National Memorial

De Soto National Memorial

National Memorial

In May 1539, Conquistador Hernando de Soto’s army of soldiers, hired mercenaries, craftsmen, and clergy made landfall in Tampa Bay. They were met with fierce resistance of indigenous people protecting...

28 mi from route ~71 min detour Free
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$31.36 one way

$62.71 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 69 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.40 $34.11 $68.22
premium $4.72 $36.63 $73.26
diesel $5.61 $43.50 $86.99

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$31

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$56–$81

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 68.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 59.1 0 $20.68 $9.46
Efficient EV 49.3 0 $17.24 $7.88
EV Truck/SUV 78.8 0 $27.58 $12.61

Gas CO2

69 kg

EV CO2

23 kg (67% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Laurel, FL

Evening in Laurel on Thursday

Local time

6:15 PM

EDT

Current temp

--

Unavailable

Destination

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Evening in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday

Local time

6:15 PM

EDT

Current temp

80°F

Mostly Sunny

E 7 to 10 mph 4% chance 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.

Road read

3h 41m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Laurel, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL covers 197 miles and takes about 3h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, Port Everglades Expressway, Laurel Road East. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 98.5 miles from Laurel, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $31.36 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 12 significant decision points across 197 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 3.6 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 180.2 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 190.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Laurel, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include De Soto National Memorial.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Fort Lauderdale, FL

West Pensacola, FL 649.9 mi · 11h 53m East Milton, FL 628.3 mi · 11h 27m Fort Walton Beach, FL 615.1 mi · 11h 24m Laguna Beach, FL 573.8 mi · 10h 53m

More from Laurel, FL

Brent, FL 525.8 mi · 9h 28m Port Saint Lucie, FL 151.8 mi · 3h 22m St. Petersburg, FL 53.5 mi · 1h 3m

More trips to Fort Lauderdale, FL

Fort Walton Beach, FL 618 mi Destin, FL 614.8 mi Jasper, FL 383.1 mi Alachua, FL 323.2 mi Jacksonville, FL 321.6 mi Hernando Beach, FL 288.3 mi
Weekend drives from Laurel, FL Scenic drives in FL

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

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse FL road trips.

Explore maps for Laurel, FL or Fort Lauderdale, FL on MapSof.net.