Origin
Richmond Heights, FL
Afternoon in Richmond Heights on Thursday
Local time
3:25 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Richmond Heights, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 3m
Distance
47.4 mi
76 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 58m
★
6 AM
1h 3m
8 AM
1h 14m
10 AM
1h 7m
12 PM
1h 6m
3 PM
1h 8m
5 PM
1h 13m
8 PM
1h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Richmond Heights, FL
DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 47.4-mile drive from Richmond Heights to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is easily manageable in about 1 hour and 3 minutes. It's a perfect candidate for a day trip, requiring no overnight stays. The majority of your journey, 81% to be exact, will be on highways, making it a swift transit. With an estimated fuel cost of $8, this trip is budget-friendly. You'll be traveling within the state of Florida, primarily utilizing the Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike and Florida's Turnpike. Expect a highway-focused experience for this short hop.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 3m. Total distance: 47.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This route leans heavily towards a highway-focused drive, with 81% of the journey on major roads. You'll encounter stretches like the 29.7-mile longest uninterrupted segment on the Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike, offering a consistent pace. Expect smooth driving with minimal interruptions as you navigate Florida's Turnpike and SR 84. The road's personality is one of efficiency, designed for direct travel between these South Florida locales.
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.
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 29.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike and Florida's Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.3 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 47.4 miles you will encounter 19 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31.7 miles (Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 39.8 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.
8
2.3 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Florida's Turnpike North: Miami International Airport, Orlando
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Florida's Turnpike North: Miami Internat...
8
31.7 mi into trip
|
~38m in
|
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Keep slight right at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike Toll North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike Toll North
8
39.8 mi into trip
|
~47m in
Take the exit toward I 595, SR 84, US 441
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 54
Toward I 595, SR 84, US 441
8
40.3 mi into trip
|
~48m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 441, I 595 East, SR 84 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward US 441, I 595 East, SR 84 East
9
40.9 mi into trip
|
~49m in
Keep slight left at fork toward SR 84 East, I 595 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward SR 84 East, I 595 East
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Richmond Heights, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL, road signs point toward Orlando and Florida's Turnpike Toll North.
Orlando
31.7 mi in
|
~38m
|
via Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Florida's Turnpike Toll North
31.7 mi in
|
~38m
|
via Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike | 29.7 mi | 33m |
| Florida's Turnpike | 7.1 mi | 8m |
| SR 84 | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Marina Boulevard | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Southeast 3rd Avenue | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| State Road 821 Access Road | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Southwest 152nd Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Southwest 4th Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
— 29.7 mi, about 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Richmond Heights, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL.
1
Start on Southwest Graham Drive
127 ft
·
6 sec
·
Southwest Graham Drive
2
Turn right onto Buchanan Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Buchanan Street
3
Turn right onto SR 992
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Southwest 152nd Street
4
Turn right onto State Road 821 Access Road
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
State Road 821 Access Road
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward Florida's Turnpike North: Miami International Airport, Orlando
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
7
Keep slight right at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
27 mi
·
30 min
·
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike Toll North
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
9
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
7.1 mi
·
8 min
·
Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 54
Toward I 595, SR 84, US 441
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
Toward US 441, I 595 East, SR 84 East
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
526 ft
·
12 sec
Toward SR 84 East, I 595 East, US 441 South
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
Toward SR 84 East, I 595 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward SR 84 East
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward SR 84 East
Use the slight right lane.
16
Continue on SR 84
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
SR 84
Toward SR 84 East
17
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.
18
Turn left onto Southwest 4th Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Southwest 4th Avenue
Use the left lane.
19
Turn right onto Southwest 17th Street
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
Southwest 17th Street
20
Continue on Southeast 17th Street
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
Southeast 17th Street
21
Turn left onto Southeast 3rd Avenue
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Southeast 3rd Avenue
Use the straight lane.
22
Turn left onto SR 842
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
East Broward Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
23
Arrive at destination
SR 842
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 23.7 mi from Richmond Heights, FL · 29m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
24 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 23.7 miles from Richmond Heights, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$7.54 one way
$15.09 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
17 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $8.21 | $16.41 |
| premium | $4.72 | $8.81 | $17.63 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.47 | $20.93 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.28
Homestead Extension
(29.7 mi)
$1.78
Florida's Turnpike
(7.1 mi)
$0.50
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Tolls
$2
Total
$10
Estimated CO2 emission: 16.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.2 | 0 | $4.98 | $2.28 |
| Efficient EV | 11.9 | 0 | $4.15 | $1.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 19 | 0 | $6.64 | $3.03 |
Gas CO2
17 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (65% 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.
Destination
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Afternoon in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday
Local time
3:25 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
1 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
1h 3m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Richmond Heights, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL covers 47.4 miles and takes about 1h 3m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike, Florida's Turnpike, SR 84. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 23.7 miles from Richmond Heights, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.54 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 47.4 miles you will encounter 19 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31.7 miles (Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 39.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Richmond Heights, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL, road signs point toward Orlando and Florida's Turnpike Toll North.
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Return Trip
Fort Lauderdale, FL to Richmond Heights, FLPlan the drive back the other way.
47.6 mi
1h 2m
Continue From Fort Lauderdale, FL
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