How far is Winter Haven, FL from Fort Lauderdale, FL?

The driving distance from Winter Haven, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL is about 202.1 miles (325.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 22m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 163.7 miles (263.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 44m 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
202.15 mi
03h 22m
Flight
163.69 mi
263.43 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Winter Haven.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
163.69 mi
Kilometers
263.43 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
202.15 mi
Kilometers
325.33 km
Drive Time
03h 22m

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 22m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Fort Lauderdale
Sun, May 31, 12:37 AM EDT
Return by in Winter Haven
Sun, May 31, 4:00 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Winter Haven
2026-05-30T21:15
Arrive Fort Lauderdale
Sun, May 31, 12:37 AM EDT
Route Timing
03h 22m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:22 AM to 11:22 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
10:16 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Winter Haven
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
Fort Pierce
FL

The most populous city in St.

From Winter Haven
100 mi
01h 41m
To Fort Lauderdale
102.1 mi
01h 41m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
89°F
This Afternoon

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, May 30 5:00 PM EDT
Wind
8 mph WNW
Destination
88°F
This Afternoon

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, May 30 5:00 PM EDT
Wind
5 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Winter Haven and Fort Lauderdale.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Winter Haven and Fort Lauderdale.

  1. 1

    Start on West Central Avenue

    1932 ft · 47 sec · West Central Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto 1st Street South

    1.2 mi · 2 min · 1st Street South

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Cypress Gardens Boulevard

    6.9 mi · 11 min · Cypress Gardens Boulevard

  4. 4

    Turn right

    5.9 mi · 8 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit left

    1180 ft · 32 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    694 ft · 15 sec

  7. 7

    Continue straight

    46.4 mi · 59 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit left

    784 ft · 19 sec

  9. 9

    Continue straight

    90 m · 7 sec

  10. 10

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

    926 ft · 23 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto Florida's Turnpike

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

  12. 12

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

    1 km · 2 min

  13. 13

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

    77 m · 15 sec

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard

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

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Northwest 16th Avenue

    696 ft · 25 sec · Northwest 16th Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn right onto North Andrews Avenue

    3159 ft · 1 min · North Andrews Avenue

  17. 17

    Turn left onto West Atlantic Boulevard

    151 m · 17 sec · West Atlantic Boulevard

  18. 18

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 95 South: Miami

    2315 ft · 58 sec

  19. 19

    Merge slight left

    7.2 mi · 8 min

  20. 20

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

    2709 ft · 1 min

  21. 21

    Turn left onto West Broward Boulevard

    1.8 mi · 4 min · West Broward Boulevard

  22. 22

    Continue on East Broward Boulevard

    988 ft · 35 sec · East Broward Boulevard

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Broward Boulevard

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Winter Haven 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
23 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
3 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Florida's Turnpike
125 mi · 62%
Cypress Gardens Boulevard
53.8 mi · 27%
I 95 South
7.69 mi · 4%
West Broward Boulevard
1.78 mi · 1%
Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
1.36 mi · 1%
1st Street South
1.24 mi · 1%
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 22m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 44m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+38.4 mi
163.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Fort Pierce
01h 41m from Winter Haven
Leave By
10:16 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Winter Haven and Slight 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 Winter Haven to Fort Lauderdale?

The road trip is about 202.1 miles (325.3 km) and usually takes 03h 22m 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?

Fort Pierce is a useful midpoint, sitting about 100 miles from Winter Haven and 102.1 miles from Fort Lauderdale.

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

The direct path is about 163.7 miles (263.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.4 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 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:16 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.58 one way or $59.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 63.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Winter Haven and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Fort Lauderdale.

Stop Ideas Near Fort Pierce

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Fort Pierce, 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 Fort Pierce.

RAIL

Okeechobee

54 mi away
801 North Parrott Avenue
RAIL

West Palm Beach

86 mi away
201 South Tamarind Ave
RAIL

Sebring

110 mi away
601 East Center St
RAIL

Delray Beach

113 mi away
345 South Congress Ave

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Winter Haven and Fort Lauderdale. Straight-line distance: 163.69 mi (263.43 km).

Winter Haven

#1 Winter Haven

The most populous city in Polk County, Florida.

Population46,578
Coordinates28.0222400, -81.7328600
Altitude50
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: West Central Avenue (-81.732855, 28.022321)
End: East Broward Boulevard (-80.143382, 26.122355)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 325 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 44m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 03m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 02m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 22m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 53m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 31m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.13 gal
27 L · about $29.58
Round trip
$59.15
14.26 gal · 54 L
Estimated CO2
63.4 kg one way
Round trip: 126.7 kg / 279 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.15 $29.58 $59.15
Mid-grade $4.60 $32.77 $65.54
Premium $4.90 $34.91 $69.82
Diesel $4.35 $31.02 $62.03

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 31, 2026

There is no time difference between Winter Haven and Fort Lauderdale. The current time is 21:15:41.

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.