How far is Fort Lauderdale, FL from Ruskin, FL?
The driving distance from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Ruskin, FL is about 242.3 miles (390 km), with a travel time of about 04h 27m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 179.1 miles (288.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 55m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 27m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Census-designated place in Lee County, Florida
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fort Lauderdale and Ruskin.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Lauderdale and Ruskin.
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1
Start on East Broward Boulevard
1.6 mi · 3 min · East Broward Boulevard
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2
Take the ramp slight left toward I 95 South: Miami
885 ft · 24 sec
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3
Keep slight right to continue on I 595: Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale - Hollywood International Airport
2.2 mi · 4 min
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4
Keep slight right to continue on I 595 West
1 mi · 2 min
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5
Merge slight left onto Port Everglades Expressway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Port Everglades Expressway
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6
Keep slight right to continue on Port Everglades Expressway
10.1 mi · 12 min · Port Everglades Expressway
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7
Merge slight left
221.7 mi · 3 hr 58 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward FL 674: Ruskin, Sun City Center
2061 ft · 50 sec
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Ruskin
937 ft · 24 sec
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10
Turn straight onto Sun City Center Boulevard
594 ft · 10 sec · Sun City Center Boulevard
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11
Continue on College Avenue
3 mi · 5 min · College Avenue
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12
Turn right onto Tamiami Trail
2719 ft · 1 min · Tamiami Trail
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13
Turn right onto Shell Point Road East
63 m · 11 sec · Shell Point Road East
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14
Turn left
16 m · 4 sec
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fort Lauderdale and Ruskin.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Port Everglades Expressway
Merge slight left
222 mi · 03h 58m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Partly Sunny then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Fort Lauderdale and Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Ruskin.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fort Lauderdale to Ruskin?
The road trip is about 242.3 miles (390 km) and usually takes 04h 27m 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?
Estero is a useful midpoint, sitting about 121.2 miles from Fort Lauderdale and 121.1 miles from Ruskin.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 179.1 miles (288.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 63.2 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 8:04 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.47 one way or $70.93 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 76 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms around Fort Lauderdale and Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Ruskin.
Stop Ideas Near Estero
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Estero.
Fort Myers, Florida
Port Charlotte, Florida
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fort Lauderdale and Ruskin. Straight-line distance: 179.15 mi (288.31 km).
#1 Fort Lauderdale
The second most populous city in Broward County, Florida.
| Population | 184,245 |
| Coordinates | 26.1223100, -80.1433800 |
| Altitude | 1 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Ruskin
Census-designated place in Hillsborough County, Florida
| Population | 17,208 |
| Coordinates | 27.7208600, -82.4331500 |
| Altitude | 1 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ruskin (-82.43315, 27.72086)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 390 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 04m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 50m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 02m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 01m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $35.47 | $70.93 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $39.30 | $78.59 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $41.86 | $83.72 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $37.19 | $74.39 |
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 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.