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

The driving distance from Polk City, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL is about 227.5 miles (366.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 21m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 175.9 miles (283.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 42m 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
227.58 mi
04h 21m
Flight
175.89 mi
283.06 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Polk City.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
175.89 mi
Kilometers
283.06 km
Flight Time
00h 21m

Driving Distance

Road route
227.58 mi
Kilometers
366.25 km
Drive Time
04h 21m

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 21m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Fort Lauderdale
Wed, Apr 15, 11:51 PM EDT
Return by in Polk City
Thu, Apr 16, 4:12 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Polk City
2026-04-15T19:29
Arrive Fort Lauderdale
Wed, Apr 15, 11:51 PM EDT
Route Timing
04h 21m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:21 AM to 12:21 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
8:18 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Polk 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 Polk City
114 mi
02h 10m
To Fort Lauderdale
113.6 mi
02h 10m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
59°F
Overnight

Clear

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 3:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 mph ESE
Destination
79°F
Today

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 9:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 to 12 mph E

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Commonwealth Avenue North

    28 m · 4 sec · Commonwealth Avenue North

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Broadway Boulevard Southeast

    1.8 mi · 3 min · Broadway Boulevard Southeast

  3. 3

    Turn right

    1 mi · 1 min

  4. 4

    Turn sharp left onto C Fred Jones Boulevard

    36 m · 19 sec · C Fred Jones Boulevard

  5. 5

    Turn left

    1601 ft · 28 sec

  6. 6

    Take the ramp right toward I 4 East: Orlando

    1732 ft · 42 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    17 mi · 19 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on FL 417 North: Airport, Disney World, Celebration

    1380 ft · 17 sec

  9. 9

    Continue on Southern Connector Extension

    4.2 mi · 5 min · Southern Connector Extension

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward Osceola Parkway, Gaylord Convention Center

    1973 ft · 48 sec

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Osceola Parkway

    7.1 mi · 11 min · Osceola Parkway

  12. 12

    Continue on East Osceola Parkway

    1.5 mi · 2 min · East Osceola Parkway

  13. 13

    Take the ramp right toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike Toll South

    2276 ft · 56 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left onto Florida's Turnpike

    180.3 mi · 3 hr 15 min · Florida's Turnpike

  15. 15

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

    1 km · 2 min

  16. 16

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

    77 m · 15 sec

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard

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

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Northwest 16th Avenue

    696 ft · 25 sec · Northwest 16th Avenue

  19. 19

    Turn right onto North Andrews Avenue

    3159 ft · 1 min · North Andrews Avenue

  20. 20

    Turn left onto West Atlantic Boulevard

    151 m · 17 sec · West Atlantic Boulevard

  21. 21

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 95 South: Miami

    2315 ft · 58 sec

  22. 22

    Merge slight left

    7.2 mi · 8 min

  23. 23

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

    2709 ft · 1 min

  24. 24

    Turn left onto West Broward Boulevard

    1.8 mi · 4 min · West Broward Boulevard

  25. 25

    Continue on East Broward Boulevard

    988 ft · 35 sec · East Broward Boulevard

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Broward Boulevard

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Polk 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
26 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
3 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Florida's Turnpike
180 mi · 79%
I 4 East
17.3 mi · 8%
I 95 South
7.69 mi · 3%
Osceola Parkway
7.49 mi · 3%
Southern Connector Extension
4.15 mi · 2%
Broadway Boulevard Southeast
1.79 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Florida's Turnpike

Merge slight left onto Florida's Turnpike

180 mi · 03h 15m

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 21m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+51.6 mi
175.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
West Vero Corridor
02h 10m from Polk City
Leave By
8:18 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Clear leaving Polk 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 Polk City to Fort Lauderdale?

The road trip is about 227.5 miles (366.2 km) and usually takes 04h 21m 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 114 miles from Polk City and 113.6 miles from Fort Lauderdale.

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

The direct path is about 175.9 miles (283.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 51.6 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 8:18 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.31 one way or $66.62 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 71.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Clear around Polk City and Mostly 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 Polk City and Fort Lauderdale. Straight-line distance: 175.89 mi (283.06 km).

Polk City

#1 Polk City

City in Polk County, Florida, United States

Population2,884
Coordinates28.1825100, -81.8239700
Altitude52
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: Polk City (-81.82397, 28.18251)
End: Fort Lauderdale (-80.14338, 26.12231)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 366 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 34m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 41m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 33m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 47m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 15m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 50m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.03 gal
30.4 L · about $33.31
Round trip
$66.62
16.06 gal · 60.8 L
Estimated CO2
71.4 kg one way
Round trip: 142.7 kg / 315 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.15 $33.31 $66.62
Mid-grade $4.60 $36.91 $73.81
Premium $4.90 $39.31 $78.63
Diesel $4.35 $34.93 $69.86

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Polk City and Fort Lauderdale. The current time is 19:29:49.

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.