Origin
Boca Raton, FL
Afternoon in Boca Raton on Sunday
Local time
4:39 PM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Boca Raton, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL
Drive Time
31m
Distance
21.7 mi
35 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 29m
★
6 AM
0h 32m
8 AM
0h 37m
10 AM
0h 34m
12 PM
0h 33m
3 PM
0h 34m
5 PM
0h 37m
8 PM
0h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Boca Raton, FL
DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Kelly
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick trip between Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale, you are looking at a very manageable 21.7-mile drive. Expect to spend about 31 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stay. Your journey will primarily utilize I-95, alongside portions of West Palmetto Park Road and West Broward Boulevard to navigate between the two cities. With a modest fuel budget of around $4, this route is highly cost-effective and straightforward. Both cities are located within Florida, keeping you firmly in the same region for the entire duration of the commute. It is a practical, no-nonsense path that gets you from point A to point B efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
10.8 miles from Boca Raton, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 16m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 75% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will find yourself cruising along a 16.1-mile stretch of I-95, which serves as the backbone of your journey. While the interstate provides the bulk of the distance, you will transition into local roads like West Palmetto Park Road and West Broward Boulevard as you approach your destination. The experience is best described as a direct, functional drive rather than a leisurely cruise. Expect a steady, consistent pace as you navigate the transition from the suburban feel of Boca Raton into the more urban environment of Fort Lauderdale.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 95 is the longest continuous segment at about 16.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and West Palmetto Park Road. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Northeast 2nd Avenue.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 21.7 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Northeast 2nd Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (North Dixie Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.9 miles (West Palmetto Park Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Northeast 2nd Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto Northeast 2nd Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
North Dixie Highway
At end of road, turn left onto North Dixie Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
0.9 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
West Palmetto Park Road
Turn right onto West Palmetto Park Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
2.8 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Take the ramp toward I 95 South: Miami
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 95 South: Miami
8
19.2 mi into trip
|
~26m in
Take the exit toward SR 842: Broward Boulevard, Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 27
Toward SR 842: Broward Boulevard, Downtown
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Boca Raton, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Downtown along the way.
Downtown
19.2 mi in
|
~26m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 16.1 mi | 18m |
| West Palmetto Park Road | 1.9 mi | 4m |
| West Broward Boulevard | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| North Dixie Highway | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| East Broward Boulevard | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Northeast 2nd Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Northeast Mizner Boulevard | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Northeast 8th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 16.1 mi, about 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Boca Raton, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL.
1
Start on this road
37 ft
·
7 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left
233 ft
·
19 sec
3
At end of road, turn right onto Northeast 2nd Avenue
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
Northeast 2nd Avenue
4
Turn right onto Northeast Mizner Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Northeast Mizner Boulevard
5
Continue on Northeast 8th Street
384 ft
·
17 sec
·
Northeast 8th Street
Use the left / none lanes.
6
At end of road, turn left onto North Dixie Highway
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
·
North Dixie Highway
Use the left lane.
7
Turn right onto West Palmetto Park Road
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
West Palmetto Park Road
Use the right lane.
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward I 95 South: Miami
Use the right lane.
9
Merge onto I 95
16 mi
·
18 min
·
I 95
Use the right lane.
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 27
Toward SR 842: Broward Boulevard, Downtown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn left onto SR 842
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
West Broward Boulevard
Use the none / straight lanes.
12
Continue on SR 842
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
East Broward Boulevard
Use the left lane.
13
Arrive at destination
SR 842
Trip Plan
Since this is a short, 31-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. However, because you are relying heavily on I-95, keep a close watch on real-time traffic reports to avoid potential congestion along that 16.1-mile highway stretch. You won't need to plan for any stops given the brief duration of the trip, but keeping your tank topped off for $4 is a good habit before heading out. Focus on navigating the transition onto West Broward Boulevard carefully as you arrive in Fort Lauderdale. Enjoy the convenience of such a short transit, which allows you to maximize your time once you reach your destination.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 10.8 miles from Boca Raton, FL, or about 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 16.1 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 21.7 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 10.8 miles or 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fort Lauderdale, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Boca Raton, FL so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Boca Raton, FL
This is one driving day of about 21.7 miles and 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Boca Raton, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 95 for about 16.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 10.8 mi from Boca Raton, FL · 16m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
11 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 21.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 10.8 miles from Boca Raton, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Fort Lauderdale, FL
The final approach into Fort Lauderdale, FL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Fort Lauderdale, FL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$3.62 one way
$7.25 round trip
$4.24/gal
25.4 MPG avg
8 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $3.93 | $7.85 |
| premium | $4.90 | $4.18 | $8.37 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $4.82 | $9.64 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 7.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 6.5 | 0 | $2.28 | $1.04 |
| Efficient EV | 5.4 | 0 | $1.90 | $0.87 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 8.7 | 0 | $3.04 | $1.39 |
Gas CO2
8 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (63% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Afternoon in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday
Local time
4:39 PM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
31m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Boca Raton, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL covers 21.7 miles and takes about 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 95, West Palmetto Park Road, West Broward Boulevard. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 10.8 miles from Boca Raton, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.62 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 21.7 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Northeast 2nd Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (North Dixie Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.9 miles (West Palmetto Park Road): Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Boca Raton, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Downtown along the way.
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