How far is Plant City, FL from Fort Lauderdale, FL?

Fastest route

The distance from Plant City, Florida, to Fort Lauderdale, Florida is approximately 225 miles (362 kilometers). The fastest route takes approximately 3 hours and 40 minutes and includes toll roads. Here are some tips and suggestions for the journey:

Directions

  1. Head west on E Baker St toward N Gordon St.
  2. Turn right at the 1st cross street onto N Gordon St.
  3. Turn right onto E Calhoun St.
  4. Use the right lane to take the ramp to Orlando.
  5. Drive from FL-570 E to Polk County. Take exit 10 from FL-570 E.
  6. Use the right 2 lanes to take exit 27 for FL-570 E toward Lakeland/Winter Haven (Toll road).
  7. Get on Florida's Tpke in Osceola County from FL-60 E/E State Rd 60 E.
  8. Use the right 2 lanes to turn right onto US-98 S/Bartow Rd (Toll road).
  9. Use the left 3 lanes to turn left onto E Van Fleet Dr.
  10. Use the right 2 lanes to turn right onto FL-60 E/E State Rd 60 E (Toll road).
  11. Take the ramp to Florida's Tpke.
  12. Keep right and merge onto Florida's Tpke (Toll road).
  13. Follow Florida's Tpke and I-95 S to FL-842 E/W Broward Blvd in Fort Lauderdale. Take exit 27 from I-95 S.
  14. Merge onto Florida's Tpke (Toll road).
  15. Take exit 116 toward FL-706/Jupiter (Toll road).
  16. Use the 2nd from the right lane to turn left onto FL-706 E/W Indiantown Rd.
  17. Use the right lane to merge onto I-95 S via the ramp to W Palm Beach.
  18. Take exit 27 for FL-842/Broward Blvd toward Downtown.
  19. Use the left 2 lanes to turn left onto FL-842 E/W Broward Blvd.

Tips & Suggestions

  • 🚗 Check for road closures or traffic updates before starting your journey.
  • 🛣️ Use toll roads for a faster route, but be prepared for toll expenses.
  • ⛽ Plan for gas stops along the way to keep your vehicle fueled.
  • 🍔 Pack snacks and drinks to avoid frequent stops for refreshments.
  • 🚰 Stay hydrated during the trip, especially on hot days.
  • 😊 Take breaks during the journey to stretch and relax.
  • 📱 Use a navigation app to ensure you stay on the right track throughout the drive.
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
225.05 mi
03h 43m
Flight
178.54 mi
287.34 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Plant City.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
178.54 mi
Kilometers
287.34 km
Flight Time
00h 21m

Driving Distance

Road route
225.05 mi
Kilometers
362.18 km
Drive Time
03h 43m

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 43m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Fort Lauderdale
Sun, Apr 19, 8:12 AM EDT
Return by in Plant City
Sun, Apr 19, 11:56 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Plant City
2026-04-19T04:28
Arrive Fort Lauderdale
Sun, Apr 19, 8:12 AM EDT
Route Timing
03h 43m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:44 AM to 11:44 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
9:32 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Plant City
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
West Vero Corridor
FL

Census-designated place in Indian River County, Florida

From Plant City
111.7 mi
01h 51m
To Fort Lauderdale
113.4 mi
01h 51m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
92°F
Sunday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 10 mph NW
Destination
85°F
Sunday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 8 mph SE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Plant City and Fort Lauderdale.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Plant City and Fort Lauderdale.

  1. 1

    Start on North Warnell Street

    104 m · 22 sec · North Warnell Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Reynolds Street

    107 m · 9 sec · Reynolds Street

  3. 3

    Continue on East Baker Street

    3.5 mi · 5 min · East Baker Street

  4. 4

    Continue on New Tampa Highway

    1.1 mi · 2 min · New Tampa Highway

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Clark Road

    725 ft · 23 sec · Clark Road

  6. 6

    Turn right onto Old Tampa Highway

    778 ft · 21 sec · Old Tampa Highway

  7. 7

    Take the ramp left toward FL 570 East Toll: Polk Parkway East

    2496 ft · 1 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Polk Parkway

    8.7 mi · 10 min · Polk Parkway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward US 98: Lakeland, Bartow

    2311 ft · 57 sec

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Bartow Road

    6.9 mi · 10 min · Bartow Road

  11. 11

    Continue on Broadway Avenue

    3183 ft · 1 min · Broadway Avenue

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Van Fleet Drive

    2787 ft · 1 min · Van Fleet Drive

  13. 13

    Continue straight

    1427 ft · 27 sec

  14. 14

    Continue straight

    10.8 mi · 14 min

  15. 15

    Continue straight

    4.3 mi · 6 min

  16. 16

    Continue straight

    46.4 mi · 59 min

  17. 17

    Take the exit left

    784 ft · 19 sec

  18. 18

    Continue straight

    90 m · 7 sec

  19. 19

    Keep slight right to continue on Florida's Turnpike South: Miami

    926 ft · 23 sec

  20. 20

    Merge slight left onto Florida's Turnpike

    125.3 mi · 2 hr 16 min · Florida's Turnpike

  21. 21

    Take the exit slight right toward Coconut Creek Parkway, Martin Luther King Boulevard

    1 km · 2 min

  22. 22

    Keep slight left to continue on East Martin Luther King Boulevard, Atlantic Boulevard

    77 m · 15 sec

  23. 23

    Turn left onto Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard

    1.4 mi · 3 min · Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard

  24. 24

    Turn left onto Northwest 16th Avenue

    696 ft · 25 sec · Northwest 16th Avenue

  25. 25

    Turn right onto North Andrews Avenue

    3159 ft · 1 min · North Andrews Avenue

  26. 26

    Turn left onto West Atlantic Boulevard

    151 m · 17 sec · West Atlantic Boulevard

  27. 27

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 95 South: Miami

    2315 ft · 58 sec

  28. 28

    Merge slight left

    7.2 mi · 8 min

  29. 29

    Take the exit slight right toward FL 842: Broward Boulevard, Downtown

    2709 ft · 1 min

  30. 30

    Turn left onto West Broward Boulevard

    1.8 mi · 4 min · West Broward Boulevard

  31. 31

    Continue on East Broward Boulevard

    988 ft · 35 sec · East Broward Boulevard

  32. 32

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Broward Boulevard

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Plant City 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
32 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
3 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
14.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Florida's Turnpike
125 mi · 56%
Van Fleet Drive
62.5 mi · 28%
Polk Parkway
8.69 mi · 4%
I 95 South
7.69 mi · 3%
Bartow Road
6.89 mi · 3%
East Baker Street
3.53 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Florida's Turnpike

Merge slight left onto Florida's Turnpike

125 mi · 02h 16m

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 43m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 28m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+46.6 mi
178.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
West Vero Corridor
01h 51m from Plant City
Leave By
9:32 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Plant City and Partly Sunny near Fort Lauderdale.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Plant City to Fort Lauderdale?

The road trip is about 225.1 miles (362.2 km) and usually takes 03h 43m 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?

West Vero Corridor is a useful midpoint, sitting about 111.7 miles from Plant City and 113.4 miles from Fort Lauderdale.

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

The direct path is about 178.5 miles (287.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 46.6 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 9:32 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.94 one way or $65.87 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 70.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Plant City and Partly Sunny near Fort Lauderdale.

Stop Ideas Near West Vero Corridor

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around West Vero Corridor, 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 West Vero Corridor.

RAIL

Okeechobee

55 mi away
801 North Parrott Avenue
RAIL

Sebring

95 mi away
601 East Center St
RAIL

West Palm Beach

111 mi away
201 South Tamarind Ave
RAIL

Kissimmee

116 mi away
111 East Dakin Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Plant City and Fort Lauderdale. Straight-line distance: 178.54 mi (287.34 km).

Plant City

#1 Plant City

A city in Hillsborough County, Florida.

Population39,744
Coordinates28.0188800, -82.1146900
Altitude39
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: North Warnell Street (-82.114263, 28.018879)
End: East Broward Boulevard (-80.143382, 26.122355)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 362 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 29m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 37m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 30m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 45m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 12m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 48m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.94 gal
30.06 L · about $32.94
Round trip
$65.87
15.88 gal · 60.12 L
Estimated CO2
70.6 kg one way
Round trip: 141.1 kg / 311 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.15 $32.94 $65.87
Mid-grade $4.60 $36.49 $72.98
Premium $4.90 $38.87 $77.75
Diesel $4.35 $34.54 $69.08

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Plant City and Fort Lauderdale. The current time is 04:28:59.

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.