Origin
Tampa, FL
Afternoon in Tampa on Sunday
Local time
3:38 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tampa, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL
Drive Time
4h 51m
Distance
262.9 mi
423 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$44
one way
Tampa, FL
Arian Fernandez
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Kelly
Trip Overview
Connecting the Gulf Coast to the Atlantic side, this 262.9-mile journey across Florida takes approximately 4 hours and 51 minutes. You will primarily utilize I-75, supplemented by the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway and the Port Everglades Expressway to reach your destination. Because the trip is straightforward and spans under five hours, it is perfectly manageable as a single-day drive, eliminating the need for an overnight stay. Expect to budget roughly $44 for fuel for the entire excursion. Whether you are heading to Fort Lauderdale for business or a quick coastal getaway, this highway-focused route offers a reliable path between these two major Florida hubs.
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
131.5 miles from Tampa, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 23m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highly efficient, interstate-dominant experience, as 98% of this trip consists of highway driving. You will spend the vast majority of your time on a single 237-mile stretch of I-75, making it a consistent, high-speed transit route rather than a winding scenic byway. Because the character of the road is so focused on speed and directness, you should prepare for a monotonous drive that prioritizes arrival time over variety. The transition between the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway and the interstate system is seamless, ensuring you spend most of your time cruising at highway speeds as you cut across the state.
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.
I 75 is the longest continuous segment at about 237 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 early in the drive near US 41 Business / North Tampa Street.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 262.9 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: near the start (US 41 Business / North Tampa Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 246.2 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 256.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 41 Business / North Tampa Street
Turn left onto US 41 Business / North Tampa Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
9
246.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 26m 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
256.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 38m 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
256.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 39m in
|
SR 84
Keep slight left at fork onto SR 84 toward SR 84 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Toward SR 84 East
7
258.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 42m 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 none lane.
Toward SR 84 East: Marina Mile Boulevard
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 237 mi | 4h 14m |
| Port Everglades Expressway | 10.1 mi | 11m |
| Lee Roy Selmon Expressway | 7.8 mi | 9m |
| SR 84 | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| Marina Boulevard | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Southeast 3rd Avenue | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| East Jackson Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Southwest 4th Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 237 mi, about 4h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tampa, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL.
1
Start on FL 60
118 ft
·
10 sec
·
East Kennedy Boulevard
2
Turn left onto US 41 Business
296 ft
·
12 sec
·
North Tampa Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
3
Turn left onto US 41 Business; FL 60
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East Jackson Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
Keep slight left at fork onto East Jackson Street
69 ft
·
3 sec
·
East Jackson Street
5
Turn left onto North Nebraska Avenue
404 ft
·
9 sec
·
North Nebraska Avenue
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Toward FL 618 Toll East: Brandon
7
Merge onto FL 618 Toll
7.8 mi
·
9 min
·
Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
Use the none lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 15A
Toward I 75 South: Naples
9
Merge onto I 75
56 mi
·
59 min
·
I 75
Use the none lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
181 mi
·
3 hr 14 min
·
I 75
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
11
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.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 9C
Toward SR 84 East: Marina Mile Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn straight onto SR 84
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
SR 84
Toward I 595 East, SR 84 East
14
Keep slight left at fork onto SR 84
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
SR 84
Toward SR 84 East
Use the none lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 84
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Marina Boulevard
Toward SR 84 East: Marina Mile Boulevard
Use the none lane.
16
Turn left onto Southwest 4th Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Southwest 4th Avenue
Use the left lane.
17
Turn right onto Southwest 17th Street
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
Southwest 17th Street
18
Continue on Southeast 17th Street
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
Southeast 17th Street
19
Turn left onto Southeast 3rd Avenue
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Southeast 3rd Avenue
Use the none lane.
20
Turn left onto SR 842
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
East Broward Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
21
Arrive at destination
SR 842
Trip Plan
To keep your drive smooth, plan for at least one strategic stop during the lengthy 237-mile I-75 segment to stretch your legs and refresh. Since this is a one-day trip, departing early in the morning helps you avoid potential congestion on the expressways near your final destination. Keep a close watch on your fuel gauge during the longest stretch of the interstate to ensure you don't run low between major interchanges. Given the heavy reliance on I-75, checking traffic reports before you leave Tampa is the best way to ensure you maintain your estimated sub-five-hour travel time. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so feel free to adjust your departure to miss peak commuting hours.
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 131.5 miles from Tampa, FL, or about 2h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 237 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 80 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 131.5 miles or 2h 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 53m
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 Tampa, 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 Tampa, FL
This is one driving day of about 262.9 miles and 4h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Tampa, 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 237 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 131.5 mi from Tampa, FL · 2h 23m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
131 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 131.5 miles from Tampa, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 237 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.92 one way
$87.83 round trip
$4.24/gal
25.4 MPG avg
92 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $47.57 | $95.14 |
| premium | $4.90 | $50.68 | $101.35 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $58.41 | $116.81 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.78
Selmon Expressway
(7.8 mi)
$0.78
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
$44
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 78.9 | 0 | $27.60 | $12.62 |
| Efficient EV | 65.7 | 0 | $23.00 | $10.52 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 105.2 | 1 | $36.81 | $16.83 |
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Sunday
Local time
3:38 PM
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.
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
2 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
4h 51m 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 Tampa, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL covers 262.9 miles and takes about 4h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, Port Everglades Expressway, Lee Roy Selmon Expressway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 131.5 miles from Tampa, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $43.92 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 18 significant decision points across 262.9 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: near the start (US 41 Business / North Tampa Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 246.2 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 256.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Tampa, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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