Origin
Mexico Beach, FL
Morning in Mexico Beach on Monday
Local time
10:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Mexico Beach, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL
Drive Time
10h 52m
Distance
532.6 mi
857 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$89
one way
EV Charging
None
0 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
10h 43m
★
6 AM
10h 53m
8 AM
11h 12m
10 AM
10h 59m
12 PM
10h 57m
3 PM
11h 0m
5 PM
11h 11m
8 PM
10h 47m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Kelly
Trip Overview
The drive from Mexico Beach, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL covers 532.6 miles and takes about 10h 52m behind the wheel. It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.
The route leans on Florida's Turnpike, Byron Butler Parkway, Coastal Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is long-distance drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 240.6 miles on Florida's Turnpike. At current regular gas prices, budget about $88.97 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
3 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
266.3 miles from Mexico Beach, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 5h 58m into the drive .
Drive Character
At 532.6 miles and 10h 52m of driving, this is a route where fuel stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single turn. The main roads are Florida's Turnpike and Byron Butler Parkway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 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 Byron Butler Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 84.9 miles in near US 98; US 319 / Coastal Highway.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 532.6 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 84.9 miles (US 98; US 319 / Coastal Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 278.9 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 519.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
84.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 6m in
|
US 98; US 319 / Coastal Highway
Turn left onto US 98; US 319 / Coastal Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
278.9 mi into trip
|
~6h 11m in
|
Florida's Turnpike
Take the exit onto Florida's Turnpike toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 328
Toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando
8
519.6 mi into trip
|
~10h 31m in
Take the exit toward Coconut Creek Parkway, Martin Luther King Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 67
Toward Coconut Creek Parkway, Martin Luther Kin...
6
520.2 mi into trip
|
~10h 32m in
Keep slight left at fork toward East Martin Luther King Boulevard, Atlantic Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward East Martin Luther King Boulevard, Atlan...
8
530.1 mi into trip
|
~10h 46m in
Take the exit toward SR 842: Broward Boulevard, Downtown
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 27
Toward SR 842: Broward Boulevard, Downtown
Towns Along This Route
Between Mexico Beach, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike South and Orlando.
Florida's Turnpike South
278.9 mi in
|
~6h 11m
|
via Florida's Turnpike
Orlando
278.9 mi in
|
~6h 11m
|
via Florida's Turnpike
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Florida's Turnpike | 240.6 mi | 4h 19m |
| Byron Butler Parkway | 58.3 mi | 1h 14m |
| Coastal Highway | 54.4 mi | 1h 10m |
| US 27 Alternate | 48 mi | 1h 1m |
| Market Street | 43.1 mi | 1h 4m |
| US 98 | 35.2 mi | 52m |
| I 75 | 24.7 mi | 26m |
| US 19 | 8.3 mi | 11m |
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 240.6 mi, about 4h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mexico Beach, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL.
1
Start on South 32nd Street
369 ft
·
17 sec
·
South 32nd Street
2
Turn right onto US 98
35 mi
·
52 min
·
US 98
3
Turn right onto US 98
43 mi
·
1 hr 4 min
·
Market Street
4
Continue on US 319
6.6 mi
·
9 min
·
Sopchoppy Highway
5
Turn left onto US 98; US 319
54 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
Coastal Highway
Use the left lane.
6
Turn right onto US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate; US 221 Truck
58 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
Byron Butler Parkway
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate
8.3 mi
·
11 min
·
US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate
8
Turn left onto US 27 Alternate
48 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
US 27 Alternate
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Toward I 75 South: Tampa
10
Merge onto I 75
25 mi
·
26 min
·
I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit onto Florida's Turnpike
241 mi
·
4 hr 19 min
·
Florida's Turnpike
Exit 328
Toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 67
Toward Coconut Creek Parkway, Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
251 ft
·
15 sec
Toward East Martin Luther King Boulevard, Atlantic Boulevard
14
Turn left onto Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
15
Turn left onto Northwest 16th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
Northwest 16th Avenue
16
Turn right onto North Andrews Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Andrews Avenue
17
Turn left onto SR 814
497 ft
·
16 sec
·
West Atlantic Boulevard
Use the left lane.
18
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
58 sec
Toward I 95 South: Miami
19
Merge onto I 95
7.2 mi
·
8 min
·
I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 27
Toward SR 842: Broward Boulevard, Downtown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn left onto SR 842
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
West Broward Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on SR 842
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
East Broward Boulevard
Use the left lane.
23
Arrive at destination
SR 842
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 266.3 miles from Mexico Beach, FL, or about 5h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 240.6 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 117 miles or 2h 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 266.3 miles or 5h 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 266.3 miles or 5h 58m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 9h 40m
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 Mexico Beach, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Mexico Beach, FL
Aim for roughly 266 miles and 5.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Fort Lauderdale, FL
Aim for roughly 266 miles and 5.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 117 miles from Mexico Beach, FL.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 3 real breaks 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 266.3 mi from Mexico Beach, FL · 5h 58m into the drive
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
176 mi into the route
Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch
This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
352 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Orlando, FLOvernight Options
Night 1
266 mi · about 5.4h in
A practical overnight split lands near Gainesville, FL after about 266 miles or 5.4 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 117 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 266.3 miles from Mexico Beach, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Florida's Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 240.6 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 266 miles or 5.4 hours on the road.
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.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Fort Lauderdale, FL with some flexibility left in the schedule.
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
$88.97 one way
$177.94 round trip
$4.24/gal
25.4 MPG avg
186 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $96.37 | $192.74 |
| premium | $4.90 | $102.66 | $205.32 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $118.33 | $236.65 |
Estimated Tolls: $16.84
Florida's Turnpike
(240.6 mi)
$16.84
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
$89
Tolls
$17
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$236–$346
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 186.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $56 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 159.8 | 1 | $55.92 | $25.56 |
| Efficient EV | 133.2 | 1 | $46.60 | $21.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 213 | 2 | $74.56 | $34.09 |
Gas CO2
186 kg
EV CO2
62 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Morning in Fort Lauderdale on Monday
Local time
11:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
Time zone
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
5 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
10h 52m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Mexico Beach, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL covers 532.6 miles and takes about 10h 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Florida's Turnpike, Byron Butler Parkway, Coastal Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 266 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 266.3 miles from Mexico Beach, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $88.97 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 3 meaningful breaks 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 19 significant decision points across 532.6 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 84.9 miles (US 98; US 319 / Coastal Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 278.9 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 519.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Mexico Beach, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike South and Orlando.
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Return Trip
Fort Lauderdale, FL to Mexico Beach, FLPlan the drive back the other way.
529.6 mi
10h 52m
Continue From Fort Lauderdale, FL
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