How far is Tampa, FL from Fort Lauderdale, FL?
The driving distance from Tampa, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL is about 263.8 miles (424.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 44m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 190.3 miles (306.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 29m 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 03h 44m.
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.
Census-designated place in Lee County, Florida
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Tampa and Fort Lauderdale.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tampa and Fort Lauderdale.
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1
Start on East Kennedy Boulevard
36 m · 11 sec · East Kennedy Boulevard
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2
Turn left onto North Tampa Street
90 m · 13 sec · North Tampa Street
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3
Turn left onto East Jackson Street
2823 ft · 2 min · East Jackson Street
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4
Keep slight left to continue on East Jackson Street
21 m · 4 sec · East Jackson Street
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5
Turn left onto North Nebraska Avenue
123 m · 10 sec · North Nebraska Avenue
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6
Take the ramp slight right toward FL 618 Toll East: Brandon
853 ft · 21 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
7.8 mi · 9 min · Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 75 South: Naples
2585 ft · 34 sec
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9
Merge slight left
55.8 mi · 1 hr
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10
Keep slight left
181.3 mi · 3 hr 14 min
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Port Everglades Expressway
10.1 mi · 12 min · Port Everglades Expressway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward FL 84 East: Marina Mile Boulevard
1302 ft · 32 sec
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13
Turn straight onto I 595 East, FL 84 East
991 ft · 19 sec
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14
Keep slight left to continue on FL 84 East
2 mi · 4 min
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15
Keep slight right to continue on Marina Boulevard
1.6 mi · 3 min · Marina Boulevard
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16
Turn left onto Southwest 4th Avenue
2736 ft · 1 min · Southwest 4th Avenue
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17
Turn right onto Southwest 17th Street
1594 ft · 34 sec · Southwest 17th Street
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18
Continue on Southeast 17th Street
780 ft · 25 sec · Southeast 17th Street
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19
Turn left onto Southeast 3rd Avenue
1.5 mi · 3 min · Southeast 3rd Avenue
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20
Turn left onto East Broward Boulevard
988 ft · 35 sec · East Broward Boulevard
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Broward Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Tampa and Fort Lauderdale.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 75 South
Keep slight left
181 mi · 03h 14m
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.
Sunny leaving Tampa and 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 Tampa to Fort Lauderdale?
The road trip is about 263.8 miles (424.5 km) and usually takes 03h 44m 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?
Gateway is a useful midpoint, sitting about 131.5 miles from Tampa and 132.2 miles from Fort Lauderdale.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 190.3 miles (306.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 73.5 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 9:30 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.62 one way or $77.24 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 82.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Tampa and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Fort Lauderdale.
Stop Ideas Near Gateway
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 Gateway.
Fort Myers, Florida
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Sebring
Sarasota, Florida
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Tampa and Fort Lauderdale. Straight-line distance: 190.26 mi (306.2 km).
#1 Tampa
The third most populous city in Florida and the center of the Tampa metropolitan area.
| Population | 407,599 |
| Coordinates | 27.9475200, -82.4584300 |
| Altitude | 1 |
| 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: 425 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 47m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 35m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 16m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 23m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 46m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $38.62 | $77.24 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $42.79 | $85.58 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $45.58 | $91.16 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $40.50 | $81.00 |
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 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.