Origin
Weeki Wachee Gardens, FL
Morning in Weeki Wachee Gardens on Monday
Local time
6:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Weeki Wachee Gardens, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL
Drive Time
5h 47m
Distance
285.3 mi
459 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$48
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
21 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 34m
★
6 AM
5h 47m
8 AM
6h 14m
10 AM
5h 57m
12 PM
5h 54m
3 PM
5h 58m
5 PM
6h 12m
8 PM
5h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Weeki Wachee Gardens, FL
Matt Fitz Gibaud
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Kelly
Trip Overview
The drive from Weeki Wachee Gardens, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL covers 285.3 miles and takes about 5h 47m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Florida's Turnpike, FL 50, Cortez Boulevard for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 204.3 miles on Florida's Turnpike. At current regular gas prices, budget about $47.66 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
142.6 miles from Weeki Wachee Gardens, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 6m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 5h 47m highway drive covering 285.3 miles, with most of the trip on Florida's Turnpike and FL 50. The longest continuous stretch is about 204.3 miles on Florida's Turnpike.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 29 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 204.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and FL 50. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.4 miles in near CR 550 / Cortez Boulevard.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 285.3 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 2.4 miles (CR 550 / Cortez Boulevard): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 67.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 272.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
2.4 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
CR 550 / Cortez Boulevard
Turn sharp right onto CR 550 / Cortez Boulevard
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
7
67.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 43m in
Take the exit toward Florida's Turnpike Toll South, Miami
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.
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll South, Miami
8
272.2 mi into trip
|
~5h 26m 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
272.9 mi into trip
|
~5h 27m 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
282.8 mi into trip
|
~5h 41m 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 Weeki Wachee Gardens, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike Toll South and Miami.
Florida's Turnpike Toll South
67.1 mi in
|
~1h 43m
Miami
67.1 mi in
|
~1h 43m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Florida's Turnpike | 204.3 mi | 3h 40m |
| FL 50 | 48 mi | 1h 8m |
| Cortez Boulevard | 16.2 mi | 27m |
| I 95 | 7.2 mi | 8m |
| West Broward Boulevard | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Shoal Line Boulevard | 1.7 mi | 4m |
| Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| North Andrews Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 204.3 mi, about 3h 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Weeki Wachee Gardens, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL.
1
Start on Tuscawilla Drive
86 ft
·
3 sec
·
Tuscawilla Drive
2
Continue on Tuscawilla Drive
0.2 mi
·
47 sec
·
Tuscawilla Drive
3
Continue on Westwind Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Westwind Street
4
Turn left onto Alpaca Drive
372 ft
·
20 sec
·
Alpaca Drive
5
Turn left onto CR 597
1.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Shoal Line Boulevard
6
Turn sharp right onto CR 550
13 mi
·
21 min
·
Cortez Boulevard
7
Turn right onto Mobley Road
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Mobley Road
8
Turn left onto Clinton Boulevard
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
Clinton Boulevard
9
Turn right onto FL 50
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Cortez Boulevard
10
Take the exit onto FL 50
36 mi
·
49 min
·
FL 50
11
Continue on FL 50
4.6 mi
·
7 min
·
FL 50
Use the left lane.
12
Continue on FL 50
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
FL 50
13
Continue on FL 50
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
FL 50
Use the left lane.
14
Continue on FL 50
3.5 mi
·
5 min
·
FL 50
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll South, Miami
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
17
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
204 mi
·
3 hr 40 min
·
Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 67
Toward Coconut Creek Parkway, Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork
251 ft
·
15 sec
Toward East Martin Luther King Boulevard, Atlantic Boulevard
20
Turn left onto Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
21
Turn left onto Northwest 16th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
Northwest 16th Avenue
22
Turn right onto North Andrews Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Andrews Avenue
23
Turn left onto SR 814
497 ft
·
16 sec
·
West Atlantic Boulevard
Use the left lane.
24
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
58 sec
Toward I 95 South: Miami
25
Merge onto I 95
7.2 mi
·
8 min
·
I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 27
Toward SR 842: Broward Boulevard, Downtown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Turn left onto SR 842
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
West Broward Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
28
Continue on SR 842
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
East Broward Boulevard
Use the left lane.
29
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 142.6 miles from Weeki Wachee Gardens, FL, or about 3h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 204.3 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 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 142.6 miles or 3h 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 44m
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 Weeki Wachee Gardens, 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 Weeki Wachee Gardens, FL
This is one driving day of about 285.3 miles and 5h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Weeki Wachee Gardens, 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 Florida's Turnpike for about 204.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 142.6 mi from Weeki Wachee Gardens, FL · 3h 6m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
143 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 142.6 miles from Weeki Wachee Gardens, 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 204.3 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
$47.66 one way
$95.32 round trip
$4.24/gal
25.4 MPG avg
100 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $51.62 | $103.25 |
| premium | $4.90 | $54.99 | $109.99 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $63.38 | $126.77 |
Estimated Tolls: $14.30
Florida's Turnpike
(204.3 mi)
$14.30
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
$48
Tolls
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$87–$112
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 99.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
EV Charging Along Route
21 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
Ocoee, FL - West Colonial Drive - Tesla Supercharger
Ocoee, FL
Tesla
20 DCFC
Coastal Way - Coastal Landing - Tesla Supercharger
Brooksville, FL
Tesla
12 DCFC
Sunrise Plaza - Tesla Supercharger
Brooksville, FL
Tesla
12 DCFC
Plaza Venezia - Tesla Supercharger
Orlando, FL
Tesla
12 DCFC
Millenia Place - Tesla Supercharger
Orlando, FL
Tesla
12 DCFC
Bawarchi Biryanis - Tesla Supercharger
Orlando, FL
Tesla
12 DCFC
Wawa - Tesla Supercharger
Winter Garden, FL
Tesla
8 DCFC
Costco Clermont (Clermont, FL)
Clermont, FL
Electrify America
6 DCFC
Tesla: 8
ChargePoint Network: 5
EV Connect: 2
CHARGEUP: 2
Electrify America: 1
eVgo Network: 1
Blink Network: 1
Non-Networked: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 85.6 | 1 | $29.96 | $13.69 |
| Efficient EV | 71.3 | 0 | $24.96 | $11.41 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 114.1 | 1 | $39.94 | $18.26 |
Gas CO2
100 kg
EV CO2
33 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
6:48 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.
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
11 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
5h 47m 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 Weeki Wachee Gardens, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL covers 285.3 miles and takes about 5h 47m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Florida's Turnpike, FL 50, Cortez Boulevard. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 142.6 miles from Weeki Wachee Gardens, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $47.66 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 20 significant decision points across 285.3 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 2.4 miles (CR 550 / Cortez Boulevard): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 67.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 272.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Weeki Wachee Gardens, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike Toll South and Miami.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Return Trip
Fort Lauderdale, FL to Weeki Wachee Gardens, FLPlan the drive back the other way.
282.4 mi
5h 47m
Continue From Fort Lauderdale, FL
More trips to Fort Lauderdale, FL
Explore more options from Weeki Wachee Gardens, FL or browse trips ending in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse FL road trips.
Explore maps for Weeki Wachee Gardens, FL or Fort Lauderdale, FL on MapSof.net.