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

The driving distance from Key West, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL is about 189.3 miles (304.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 50m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 148.9 miles (239.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 40m 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
189.28 mi
03h 50m
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 Key West.

Flight Distance

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

Driving Distance

Road route
189.28 mi
Kilometers
304.61 km
Drive Time
03h 50m

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 03h 50m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Fort Lauderdale
Tue, May 26, 9:21 AM EDT
Return by in Key West
Tue, May 26, 1:12 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Key West
2026-05-26T05:31
Arrive Fort Lauderdale
Tue, May 26, 9:21 AM EDT
Route Timing
03h 50m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:50 AM to 11:50 AM EDT

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

Leave by
9:20 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Key West
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
Key Largo
FL

Census designated place in Florida, United States

From Key West
94.3 mi
01h 55m
To Fort Lauderdale
95 mi
01h 55m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
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
Destination
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

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on George Street

    112 m · 21 sec · George Street

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Flagler Avenue

    2.1 mi · 5 min · Flagler Avenue

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn left onto South Roosevelt Boulevard

    1367 ft · 41 sec · South Roosevelt Boulevard

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Overseas Highway

    36.1 mi · 57 min · Overseas Highway

  5. 5

    Continue on New Seven Mile Bridge

    68.1 mi · 1 hr 46 min · New Seven Mile Bridge

  6. 6

    Continue on Dixie Highway

    19.4 mi · 27 min · Dixie Highway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward Miami, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North

    1785 ft · 38 sec

  8. 8

    Continue on Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike

    13.2 mi · 16 min · Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike

  9. 9

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

    3.6 mi · 5 min · Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike

  10. 10

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

    2.5 mi · 3 min · Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike

  11. 11

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

    27.1 mi · 30 min · Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike

  12. 12

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

    1 mi · 1 min · Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto Florida's Turnpike

    7.1 mi · 8 min · Florida's Turnpike

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward I 595, SR 84, US 441

    2526 ft · 1 min

  15. 15

    Keep slight right to continue on US 441, I 595 East, SR 84 East

    2424 ft · 59 sec

  16. 16

    Keep slight right to continue on SR 84 East, I 595 East, US 441 South

    526 ft · 13 sec

  17. 17

    Keep slight left to continue on SR 84 East, I 595 East

    555 ft · 14 sec

  18. 18

    Keep slight left to continue on SR 84 East

    1439 ft · 35 sec

  19. 19

    Keep slight right to continue on SR 84 East

    1034 ft · 25 sec

  20. 20

    Continue on SR 84 East

    1.8 mi · 3 min

  21. 21

    Keep slight right to continue on Marina Boulevard

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Marina Boulevard

  22. 22

    Turn left onto Southwest 4th Avenue

    2736 ft · 1 min · Southwest 4th Avenue

  23. 23

    Turn right onto Southwest 17th Street

    1594 ft · 34 sec · Southwest 17th Street

  24. 24

    Continue on Southeast 17th Street

    780 ft · 25 sec · Southeast 17th Street

  25. 25

    Turn left onto Southeast 3rd Avenue

    1.5 mi · 3 min · Southeast 3rd Avenue

  26. 26

    Turn left onto East Broward Boulevard

    988 ft · 35 sec · East Broward Boulevard

  27. 27

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Broward Boulevard

Car Route Details

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

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
27 steps
14 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
14.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
New Seven Mile Bridge
68.1 mi · 36%
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
47.4 mi · 25%
Overseas Highway
36.1 mi · 19%
Dixie Highway
19.4 mi · 10%
Florida's Turnpike
7.14 mi · 4%
SR 84 East
2.47 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

New Seven Mile Bridge

Continue on New Seven Mile Bridge

68.1 mi · 01h 46m

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
03h 50m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 40m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+40.4 mi
148.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Key Largo
01h 55m from Key West
Leave By
9:20 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 189.3 miles (304.6 km) and usually takes 03h 50m 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 94.3 miles from Key West and 95 miles from Fort Lauderdale.

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 40.4 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 9:20 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.71 one way or $55.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 59.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

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 Key West and Fort Lauderdale. Straight-line distance: 148.96 mi (239.72 km).

Key West

#1 Key West

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

Population23,767
Coordinates24.5552400, -81.7816300
Altitude1
CountryUnited States
Fort Lauderdale

#2 Fort Lauderdale

The second most populous city in Broward County, Florida.

Population184,245
Coordinates26.1223100, -80.1433800
Altitude1
CountryUnited States
Start: George Street (-81.781612, 24.555252)
End: East Broward Boulevard (-80.143382, 26.122355)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 305 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 18m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 43m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 47m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 09m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 42m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 21m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.68 gal
25.28 L · about $27.71
Round trip
$55.42
13.36 gal · 50.56 L
Estimated CO2
59.4 kg one way
Round trip: 118.7 kg / 262 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.15 $27.71 $55.42
Mid-grade $4.60 $30.70 $61.40
Premium $4.90 $32.71 $65.41
Diesel $4.35 $29.06 $58.12

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 Key West and Fort Lauderdale. The current time is 05:31:28.

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.