How far is Fort Lauderdale, FL from Key West, FL?

The driving distance from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Key West, FL is about 188.8 miles (303.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 34m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 148.9 miles (239.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 09m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
188.86 mi
04h 34m
Flight
148.96 mi
239.72 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Fort Lauderdale.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
148.96 mi
Kilometers
239.72 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
188.86 mi
Kilometers
303.94 km
Drive Time
04h 34m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 04h 34m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Key West
Tue, May 26, 10:54 AM EDT
Return by in Fort Lauderdale
Tue, May 26, 3:29 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Fort Lauderdale
2026-05-26T06:19
Arrive Key West
Tue, May 26, 10:54 AM EDT
Route Timing
04h 34m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:35 AM to 12:35 PM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
7:50 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Fort Lauderdale
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Key Largo
FL

Census designated place in Florida, United States

From Fort Lauderdale
94.5 mi
02h 17m
To Key West
94.3 mi
02h 17m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
88°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, May 26 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
12 to 16 mph SE
Destination
88°F
Tuesday

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, May 26 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
20 mph SE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Fort Lauderdale and Key West.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fort Lauderdale and Key West.

  1. 1

    Start on East Broward Boulevard

    1.6 mi · 3 min · East Broward Boulevard

  2. 2

    Take the ramp slight left toward I 95 South: Miami

    885 ft · 24 sec

  3. 3

    Keep slight right to continue on I 595: Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale - Hollywood International Airport

    2.2 mi · 4 min

  4. 4

    Keep slight right to continue on I 595 West

    1 mi · 2 min

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Port Everglades Expressway

    1.5 km · 1 min · Port Everglades Expressway

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward SR 84 West: Florida's Turnpike

    925 ft · 23 sec

  7. 7

    Turn straight

    2518 ft · 44 sec

  8. 8

    Take the ramp slight left toward Florida's Turnpike South: Miami

    1.1 mi · 2 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on Miami, Florida's Turnpike South

    1381 ft · 34 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Florida's Turnpike

    7.2 mi · 8 min · Florida's Turnpike

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward Florida's Turnpike Toll South, Homestead

    1197 ft · 20 sec · Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike

    46.9 mi · 54 min · Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike

  13. 13

    Keep slight left

    2930 ft · 1 min

  14. 14

    Merge slight left onto Dixie Highway

    19.2 mi · 27 min · Dixie Highway

  15. 15

    Continue on Overseas Highway

    104.2 mi · 2 hr 43 min · Overseas Highway

  16. 16

    Turn right onto North Roosevelt Boulevard

    2.4 mi · 6 min · North Roosevelt Boulevard

  17. 17

    Turn left onto George Street

    1845 ft · 1 min · George Street

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · George Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Fort Lauderdale and Key West.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
18 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Overseas Highway
104 mi · 55%
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
47.6 mi · 25%
Dixie Highway
19.2 mi · 10%
Florida's Turnpike
7.17 mi · 4%
North Roosevelt Boulevard
2.36 mi · 1%
I 595
2.18 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Overseas Highway

Continue on Overseas Highway

104 mi · 02h 43m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
04h 34m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 10m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+39.9 mi
148.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Key Largo
02h 17m from Fort Lauderdale
Leave By
7:50 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Fort Lauderdale and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Key West.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Fort Lauderdale to Key West?

The road trip is about 188.8 miles (303.9 km) and usually takes 04h 34m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Key Largo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 94.5 miles from Fort Lauderdale and 94.3 miles from Key West.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 148.9 miles (239.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 39.9 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:50 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.67 one way or $55.33 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 59.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Fort Lauderdale and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Key West.

Stop Ideas Near Key Largo

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Key Largo and the surrounding midpoint area.
City Hall Cafe & Wine bar
Coffee break 7.3 mi away

City Hall Cafe & Wine bar

Tavernier , FL
88511 Overseas Hwy, Tavernier, FL 33070
Rating 4.5/5 281 reviews Wine bar,Grill,Cafe,Delivery Restaurant,Restaurant,Wine club,Wine store
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 6 mi away

Monroe County Code Enforcement

Key Largo , FL
102050 Overseas Hwy #116, Key Largo, FL 33037
Rating 1.0/5 1 reviews County government office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Key Largo.

RAIL

Miami Intermodal Center

87 mi away
8303 NW 37th Ave
RAIL

Hollywood

106 mi away
3001 Hollywood Blvd
RAIL

Fort Lauderdale

118 mi away
200 S.W. 21 Terrace

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Fort Lauderdale and Key West. Straight-line distance: 148.96 mi (239.72 km).

Fort Lauderdale

#1 Fort Lauderdale

The second most populous city in Broward County, Florida.

Population184,245
Coordinates26.1223100, -80.1433800
Altitude1
CountryUnited States
Key West

#2 Key West

County seat city of Monroe County, Florida, United States; island in Florida Keys

Population23,767
Coordinates24.5552400, -81.7816300
Altitude1
CountryUnited States
Start: Fort Lauderdale (-80.14338, 26.12231)
End: Key West (-81.78163, 24.55524)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 304 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 17m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 43m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 46m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 08m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 41m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 21m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.67 gal
25.23 L · about $27.67
Round trip
$55.33
13.34 gal · 50.46 L
Estimated CO2
59.3 kg one way
Round trip: 118.6 kg / 261 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.15 $27.67 $55.33
Mid-grade $4.60 $30.66 $61.31
Premium $4.90 $32.66 $65.31
Diesel $4.35 $29.01 $58.03

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Florida · May 26, 2026

There is no time difference between Fort Lauderdale and Key West. The current time is 06:19:41.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.