How far is Lake City, FL from Fort Lauderdale, FL?
The driving distance from Lake City, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL is about 355.7 miles (572.5 km), with a travel time of about 05h 15m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 319.5 miles (514.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 30m 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 05h 15m.
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.
A city in Osceola County, Florida.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Cloudy then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lake City and Fort Lauderdale.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake City and Fort Lauderdale.
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1
Start on the route
12 m · 5 sec
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2
Turn right onto Northwest Main Boulevard
106 m · 14 sec · Northwest Main Boulevard
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3
Continue on Northwest Main Boulevard
1.4 mi · 3 min · Northwest Main Boulevard
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4
Keep slight right to continue on Southwest State Road 47
3.8 mi · 6 min · Southwest State Road 47
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5
Turn left onto I 75 South: Tampa
1165 ft · 29 sec
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6
Merge slight left
95.1 mi · 1 hr 42 min
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7
Take the exit slight left toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando
240.6 mi · 4 hr 20 min · Florida's Turnpike
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8
Take the exit slight right toward Coconut Creek Parkway, Martin Luther King Boulevard
1 km · 2 min
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9
Keep slight left to continue on East Martin Luther King Boulevard, Atlantic Boulevard
77 m · 15 sec
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10
Turn left onto Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
1.4 mi · 3 min · Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
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11
Turn left onto Northwest 16th Avenue
696 ft · 25 sec · Northwest 16th Avenue
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12
Turn right onto North Andrews Avenue
3159 ft · 1 min · North Andrews Avenue
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13
Turn left onto West Atlantic Boulevard
151 m · 17 sec · West Atlantic Boulevard
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14
Take the ramp slight right toward I 95 South: Miami
2315 ft · 58 sec
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15
Merge slight left
7.2 mi · 8 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward SR 842: Broward Boulevard, Downtown
2709 ft · 1 min
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17
Turn left onto West Broward Boulevard
1.8 mi · 4 min · West Broward Boulevard
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18
Continue on East Broward Boulevard
988 ft · 35 sec · East Broward Boulevard
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Broward Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake City and Fort Lauderdale.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Florida's Turnpike
Take the exit slight left toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando
241 mi · 04h 20m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Lake City and Mostly Cloudy then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Fort Lauderdale.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lake City to Fort Lauderdale?
The road trip is about 355.7 miles (572.5 km) and usually takes 05h 15m 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?
Saint Cloud is a useful midpoint, sitting about 177.5 miles from Lake City and 178.2 miles from Fort Lauderdale.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 319.5 miles (514.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.2 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 6:30 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $52.06 one way or $104.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 111.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Lake City and Mostly Cloudy then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Fort Lauderdale.
Stop Ideas Near Saint Cloud
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 Saint Cloud.
Kissimmee
Orlando Health/Amtrak
Winter Park
Winter Haven
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lake City and Fort Lauderdale. Straight-line distance: 319.49 mi (514.17 km).
#1 Lake City
County seat of Columbia County, Florida, United States
| Population | 12,352 |
| Coordinates | 30.1896800, -82.6392900 |
| Altitude | 59 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Fort Lauderdale
The second most populous city in Broward County, Florida.
| Population | 184,245 |
| Coordinates | 26.1223100, -80.1433800 |
| Altitude | 1 |
| Country | United States |
End: East Broward Boulevard (-80.143382, 26.122355)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 572 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 51m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 53m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 06m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 55m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 04m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $52.06 | $104.11 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $57.68 | $115.36 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $61.44 | $122.89 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $54.59 | $109.19 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.