How far is Panama City, FL from Fort Lauderdale, FL?
The driving distance from Panama City, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL is about 559 miles (899.7 km), with a travel time of about 08h 25m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 436.6 miles (702.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 16h 50m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM CDT.
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 08h 25m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
The most populous city in Marion County, Florida.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Panama City and Fort Lauderdale.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Panama City and Fort Lauderdale.
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1
Start on Luverne Avenue
131 m · 24 sec · Luverne Avenue
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2
Turn left onto East 7th Street
69 m · 14 sec · East 7th Street
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3
Turn right onto Harrison Avenue
1 mi · 3 min · Harrison Avenue
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4
Continue straight
1.6 mi · 3 min
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5
Continue straight
1.3 mi · 2 min
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6
Continue straight
21.2 mi · 27 min
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7
Turn right
28.4 mi · 39 min
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8
Turn left
18.1 mi · 24 min
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9
Turn right onto Selman Street
3018 ft · 1 min · Selman Street
-
10
Continue on Greensboro Highway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Greensboro Highway
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11
Take the ramp slight right toward I 10 East: Tallahassee
2453 ft · 1 min
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12
Merge slight left
121.5 mi · 2 hr 10 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I-75 South: Tampa
1959 ft · 37 sec
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14
Merge slight left
107.2 mi · 1 hr 55 min
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15
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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16
Take the exit slight right toward Coconut Creek Parkway, Martin Luther King Boulevard
1 km · 2 min
-
17
Keep slight left to continue on East Martin Luther King Boulevard, Atlantic Boulevard
77 m · 15 sec
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18
Turn left onto Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
1.4 mi · 3 min · Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
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19
Turn left onto Northwest 16th Avenue
696 ft · 25 sec · Northwest 16th Avenue
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20
Turn right onto North Andrews Avenue
3159 ft · 1 min · North Andrews Avenue
-
21
Turn left onto West Atlantic Boulevard
151 m · 17 sec · West Atlantic Boulevard
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22
Take the ramp slight right toward I 95 South: Miami
2315 ft · 58 sec
-
23
Merge slight left
7.2 mi · 8 min
-
24
Take the exit slight right toward FL 842: Broward Boulevard, Downtown
2709 ft · 1 min
-
25
Turn left onto West Broward Boulevard
1.8 mi · 4 min · West Broward Boulevard
-
26
Continue on East Broward Boulevard
988 ft · 35 sec · East Broward Boulevard
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Broward Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Panama 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.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Sunny leaving Panama City and Mostly Sunny near Fort Lauderdale.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Panama City to Fort Lauderdale?
The road trip is about 559 miles (899.7 km) and usually takes 08h 25m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Ocala is a useful midpoint, sitting about 279.1 miles from Panama City and 280.1 miles from Fort Lauderdale.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 436.6 miles (702.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 122.4 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 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $81.84 one way or $163.68 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 175.3 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Panama City and Fort Lauderdale, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Panama City and Mostly Sunny near Fort Lauderdale.
Stop Ideas Near Ocala
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Belleview City Hall Park
Ocala Citizens' Circle
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Ocala.
Ocala, Florida
The Villages-Lady Lake, FL
Wildwood, Florida
Gainesville, Florida
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Panama City and Fort Lauderdale. Straight-line distance: 436.65 mi (702.72 km).
#1 Panama City
County seat of Bay County, Florida, United States
| Population | 34,667 |
| Coordinates | 30.1594600, -85.6598300 |
| Altitude | 8 |
| 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: 900 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 18h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 13h 58m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 11h 10m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 09h 19m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 07h 59m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 06h 58m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $81.84 | $163.68 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $90.68 | $181.36 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $96.60 | $193.20 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $85.83 | $171.65 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.