How far is Fort Lauderdale, FL from Winter Haven, FL?

The driving distance from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Winter Haven, FL is about 197.2 miles (317.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 01m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 163.7 miles (263.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 02m 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
197.15 mi
04h 01m
Flight
163.69 mi
263.43 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
163.69 mi
Kilometers
263.43 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
197.15 mi
Kilometers
317.28 km
Drive Time
04h 01m

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 01m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Winter Haven
Sun, May 31, 2:38 AM EDT
Return by in Fort Lauderdale
Sun, May 31, 6:39 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Fort Lauderdale
2026-05-30T22:37
Arrive Winter Haven
Sun, May 31, 2:38 AM EDT
Route Timing
04h 01m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:01 AM to 12:01 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
8:58 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
Fort Pierce
FL

The most populous city in St.

From Fort Lauderdale
98.7 mi
02h 00m
To Winter Haven
98.4 mi
02h 00m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
88°F
This Afternoon

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, May 30 5:00 PM EDT
Wind
5 mph SW
Destination
89°F
This Afternoon

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, May 30 5:00 PM EDT
Wind
8 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Fort Lauderdale and Winter Haven.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fort Lauderdale and Winter Haven.

  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

    125.2 mi · 2 hr 17 min · Florida's Turnpike

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward US 441, FL 60: Yeehaw Junction

    1.1 km · 2 min

  12. 12

    Keep slight right

    75 m · 7 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    46.4 mi · 1 hr

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward US 27: Haines City, Avon Park

    1051 ft · 29 sec

  15. 15

    Keep slight right

    61 m · 8 sec

  16. 16

    Merge slight left

    4.5 mi · 6 min

  17. 17

    Continue straight

    1.4 mi · 2 min

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Cypress Gardens Boulevard

    6.9 mi · 11 min · Cypress Gardens Boulevard

  19. 19

    Turn right onto 1st Street South

    1.2 mi · 2 min · 1st Street South

  20. 20

    Turn left onto West Central Avenue

    1978 ft · 46 sec · West Central Avenue

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Central Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Fort Lauderdale and Winter Haven.

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
21 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
3 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Florida's Turnpike
125 mi · 63%
US 441
47.2 mi · 24%
Cypress Gardens Boulevard
6.92 mi · 4%
US 27
6.14 mi · 3%
Northwest 9th Avenue
2.91 mi · 1%
South Powerline Road
2.41 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Florida's Turnpike

Merge slight left onto Florida's Turnpike

125 mi · 02h 17m

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 01m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 02m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+33.5 mi
163.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Fort Pierce
02h 00m from Fort Lauderdale
Leave By
8:58 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Fort Lauderdale and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Winter Haven.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Fort Lauderdale to Winter Haven?

The road trip is about 197.2 miles (317.3 km) and usually takes 04h 01m 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?

Fort Pierce is a useful midpoint, sitting about 98.7 miles from Fort Lauderdale and 98.4 miles from Winter Haven.

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

The direct path is about 163.7 miles (263.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.5 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 8:58 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.87 one way or $57.74 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Fort Lauderdale and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Winter Haven.

Stop Ideas Near Fort Pierce

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Fort Pierce, 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 Fort Pierce.

RAIL

Okeechobee

54 mi away
801 North Parrott Avenue
RAIL

West Palm Beach

86 mi away
201 South Tamarind Ave
RAIL

Sebring

110 mi away
601 East Center St
RAIL

Delray Beach

113 mi away
345 South Congress Ave

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Fort Lauderdale and Winter Haven. Straight-line distance: 163.69 mi (263.43 km).

Fort Lauderdale

#1 Fort Lauderdale

The second most populous city in Broward County, Florida.

Population184,245
Coordinates26.1223100, -80.1433800
Altitude1
CountryUnited States
Winter Haven

#2 Winter Haven

The most populous city in Polk County, Florida.

Population46,578
Coordinates28.0222400, -81.7328600
Altitude50
CountryUnited States
Start: Fort Lauderdale (-80.14338, 26.12231)
End: Winter Haven (-81.73286, 28.02224)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 317 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 34m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 55m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 56m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 17m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 48m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 27m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.96 gal
26.33 L · about $28.87
Round trip
$57.74
13.92 gal · 52.66 L
Estimated CO2
61.9 kg one way
Round trip: 123.7 kg / 273 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.15 $28.87 $57.74
Mid-grade $4.60 $31.99 $63.98
Premium $4.90 $34.08 $68.15
Diesel $4.35 $30.28 $60.55

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 31, 2026

There is no time difference between Fort Lauderdale and Winter Haven. The current time is 22:37:03.

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.