Origin
Coral Gables, FL
Morning in Coral Gables on Sunday
Local time
11:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Coral Gables, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL
Drive Time
44m
Distance
33.7 mi
54 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
Photo: Kelly
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Coral Gables to Fort Lauderdale, you are looking at a quick 33.7-mile trip that typically takes about 44 minutes. This journey is perfectly suited for a single day, as it is short enough to handle in one go without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $6 on fuel for the trek. You will be navigating through Florida’s urban landscape, utilizing a combination of the South Dixie Highway, I-95 North, and FL-842. Since both cities are located within the same region, the drive feels like a familiar transition between South Florida hubs rather than a long-distance expedition.
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
16.8 miles from Coral Gables, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 22m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a wide-open highway cruise. You will spend 0% of your time on traditional highways, as the route relies heavily on local roads and city streets to bridge the gap between Coral Gables and Fort Lauderdale. Because the longest stretch is 0 miles on the South Dixie Highway, you should be prepared for frequent stops, turns, and the typical stop-and-go rhythm of urban traffic. This is not a route for high-speed cruising; instead, it is a technical, low-mileage drive that demands your full attention as you navigate through the local infrastructure.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 9 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South Dixie Highway is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Coral Gables, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL is easy. At 44m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Coral Gables, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Dixie Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 95 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| FL 842 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| FL 842 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Broward Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Broward Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
South Dixie Highway
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Coral Gables, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL.
1
Start on South Dixie Highway
302 ft
·
11 sec
·
South Dixie Highway
2
Continue on South Dixie Highway
4.1 mi
·
7 min
·
South Dixie Highway
3
Keep slight left to continue on I 95 North
4.4 mi
·
6 min
·
I 95 North
4
Keep slight right
22 mi
·
27 min
5
Take the exit slight right toward FL 842: Broward Boulevard, Downtown
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
FL 842: Broward Boulevard, Downtown
6
Keep slight right to continue on FL 842 East
466 ft
·
11 sec
·
FL 842 East
7
Turn right onto West Broward Boulevard
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
West Broward Boulevard
8
Continue on East Broward Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
East Broward Boulevard
9
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Given the short 44-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though it is wise to keep an eye on local traffic patterns that can impact your arrival. You won't need to plan for any scheduled stops since the entire trip is less than an hour, allowing you to head straight to your destination. Keep your $6 fuel budget in mind when planning your total travel costs for the day. A helpful tip for this specific route is to stay alert for the transition between the South Dixie Highway and the local turn-heavy sections, as the lack of long highway stretches means you will be making frequent navigational adjustments throughout the drive.
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 16.8 miles from Coral Gables, FL, or about 22m into the drive.
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 33.7 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 16.8 miles or 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 38m
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 Coral Gables, 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 Coral Gables, FL
This is one driving day of about 33.7 miles and 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Coral Gables, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 16.8 mi from Coral Gables, FL · 22m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
17 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 33.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 16.8 miles from Coral Gables, 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
$5.63 one way
$11.26 round trip
$4.24/gal
25.4 MPG avg
12 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $6.10 | $12.20 |
| premium | $4.90 | $6.50 | $12.99 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $7.49 | $14.97 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 11.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.1 | 0 | $3.54 | $1.62 |
| Efficient EV | 8.4 | 0 | $2.95 | $1.35 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 13.5 | 0 | $4.72 | $2.16 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (67% 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
Morning in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday
Local time
11:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
72°F
Miramar, FL
17 mi in
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
44m 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 Coral Gables, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL covers 33.7 miles and takes about 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South Dixie Highway, I 95 North, FL 842. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 16.8 miles from Coral Gables, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.63 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.
The drive from Coral Gables, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL is easy. At 44m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Coral Gables, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Coral Gables, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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