How far is Fort Lauderdale, FL from Polk City, FL?

The driving distance from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Polk City, FL is about 226 miles (363.7 km), with a travel time of about 04h 17m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 175.9 miles (283.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 35m 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
225.96 mi
04h 17m
Flight
175.89 mi
283.06 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
175.89 mi
Kilometers
283.06 km
Flight Time
00h 21m

Driving Distance

Road route
225.96 mi
Kilometers
363.65 km
Drive Time
04h 17m

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 17m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Polk City
Thu, Apr 16, 1:19 AM EDT
Return by in Fort Lauderdale
Thu, Apr 16, 5:36 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Fort Lauderdale
2026-04-15T21:01
Arrive Polk City
Thu, Apr 16, 1:19 AM EDT
Route Timing
04h 17m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:18 AM to 12:18 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
8:24 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

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

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

Mid-route stop
West Vero Corridor
FL

Census-designated place in Indian River County, Florida

From Fort Lauderdale
113.2 mi
02h 08m
To Polk City
112.8 mi
02h 08m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
79°F
Today

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 9:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 to 12 mph E
Destination
59°F
Overnight

Clear

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 3:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 mph ESE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Fort Lauderdale and Polk City.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fort Lauderdale and Polk City.

  1. 1

    Start on East Broward Boulevard

    1 km · 1 min · East Broward Boulevard

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Northwest 9th Avenue

    2.9 mi · 5 min · Northwest 9th Avenue

  3. 3

    Continue on Powerline Road

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Powerline Road

  4. 4

    Continue on South Powerline Road

    2.4 mi · 5 min · South Powerline Road

  5. 5

    Continue on South Pompano Parkway

    1 mi · 2 min · South Pompano Parkway

  6. 6

    Turn left onto West Atlantic Boulevard

    2984 ft · 1 min · West Atlantic Boulevard

  7. 7

    Turn right onto Northwest 31st Avenue

    1.5 km · 2 min · Northwest 31st Avenue

  8. 8

    Continue on Florida's Turnpike Toll, Miami, Orlando

    610 ft · 17 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North

    1761 ft · 43 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Florida's Turnpike

    182 mi · 3 hr 18 min · Florida's Turnpike

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward FL 417 Toll: Tampa, Daytona Beach

    1519 ft · 29 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on FL 417 Toll South: Tampa, Disney World

    1.4 km · 2 min

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto Central Florida GreeneWay

    5.2 mi · 6 min · Central Florida GreeneWay

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on Southern Connector Extension

    8.2 mi · 10 min · Southern Connector Extension

  15. 15

    Merge slight left

    16.6 mi · 18 min

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward FL 559: Polk City, Auburndale

    1892 ft · 49 sec

  17. 17

    Turn right

    2938 ft · 54 sec

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Broadway Boulevard Southeast

    1.8 mi · 3 min · Broadway Boulevard Southeast

  19. 19

    Turn left onto Commonwealth Avenue North

    28 m · 2 sec · Commonwealth Avenue North

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Commonwealth Avenue North

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Fort Lauderdale and Polk City.

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
20 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
3 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Florida's Turnpike
182 mi · 81%
Southern Connector Extension
24.8 mi · 11%
Central Florida GreeneWay
5.23 mi · 2%
Northwest 9th Avenue
2.91 mi · 1%
South Powerline Road
2.41 mi · 1%
Broadway Boulevard Southeast
1.79 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Florida's Turnpike

Merge slight left onto Florida's Turnpike

182 mi · 03h 18m

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 17m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+50.1 mi
175.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
West Vero Corridor
02h 08m from Fort Lauderdale
Leave By
8:24 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Fort Lauderdale and Clear near Polk City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Fort Lauderdale to Polk City?

The road trip is about 226 miles (363.7 km) and usually takes 04h 17m 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?

West Vero Corridor is a useful midpoint, sitting about 113.2 miles from Fort Lauderdale and 112.8 miles from Polk City.

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

The direct path is about 175.9 miles (283.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 50.1 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 8:24 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.06 one way or $66.12 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 70.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Fort Lauderdale and Clear near Polk City.

Stop Ideas Near West Vero Corridor

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around West Vero Corridor, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to West Vero Corridor.

RAIL

Okeechobee

55 mi away
801 North Parrott Avenue
RAIL

Sebring

95 mi away
601 East Center St
RAIL

West Palm Beach

111 mi away
201 South Tamarind Ave
RAIL

Kissimmee

116 mi away
111 East Dakin Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Fort Lauderdale and Polk City. Straight-line distance: 175.89 mi (283.06 km).

Fort Lauderdale

#1 Fort Lauderdale

The second most populous city in Broward County, Florida.

Population184,245
Coordinates26.1223100, -80.1433800
Altitude1
CountryUnited States
Polk City

#2 Polk City

City in Polk County, Florida, United States

Population2,884
Coordinates28.1825100, -81.8239700
Altitude52
CountryUnited States
Start: Fort Lauderdale (-80.14338, 26.12231)
End: Polk City (-81.82397, 28.18251)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 364 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 31m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 38m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 31m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 45m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 13m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 49m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.97 gal
30.18 L · about $33.06
Round trip
$66.12
15.94 gal · 60.36 L
Estimated CO2
70.8 kg one way
Round trip: 141.7 kg / 312 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.15 $33.06 $66.12
Mid-grade $4.60 $36.63 $73.26
Premium $4.90 $39.02 $78.04
Diesel $4.35 $34.67 $69.34

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 · Apr 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Fort Lauderdale and Polk City. The current time is 21:01:30.

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.