Trip from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Boca Raton, FL

Drive Time

30m

Distance

20.8 mi

33 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$3

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 8 min
4 AM
0h 27m ★
6 AM
0h 30m
8 AM
0h 35m
10 AM
0h 32m
12 PM
0h 31m
3 PM
0h 32m
5 PM
0h 35m
8 PM
0h 29m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Fort Lauderdale, FL, FL

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Kelly

Downtown Boca Raton, FL, FL

Boca Raton, FL

DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ

Trip Overview

If you are looking to travel from Fort Lauderdale to Boca Raton, you are in for a quick 20.8-mile trip that typically takes just 30 minutes. This short jaunt is perfect for a one-day outing, as it requires no overnight stays or complex logistics. You can expect to spend about $3 on fuel for the journey, making it a very economical trek within Florida. The route relies primarily on I-95, transitioning to East Broward Boulevard and West Palmetto Park Road to reach your destination. Because this is such a brief drive, it serves as a straightforward connection between these two South Florida hubs rather than a major excursion.

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

10.4 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 14m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused experience, as 76% of this route consists of interstate driving. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-95, which features a long, uninterrupted stretch of 15.8 miles. The drive is efficient and functional, prioritizing speed over scenic detours or backroads. Once you exit the interstate, the character of the road shifts as you navigate onto local arteries like West Palmetto Park Road. It is a no-nonsense commute that gets you from point A to point B with minimal fuss.

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 15.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and West Palmetto Park Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near SR 842 / East Broward Boulevard.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 20.8 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (SR 842 / East Broward Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.9 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

4
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | SR 842 / East Broward Boulevard

Depart onto SR 842 / East Broward Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.
5
1.9 mi into trip | ~4m in | I 95

Merge onto I 95

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
17.8 mi into trip | ~22m in

Take the exit toward Palmetto Park Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 44 Toward Palmetto Park Road
9
18 mi into trip | ~23m in

Keep slight right at fork toward CR 798 East: Palmetto Park Road, Limbo Nature Centre, Boca Raton Museum Of Art

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward CR 798 East: Palmetto Park Road, Limbo N...
5
20.8 mi into trip | ~30m in

At end of road, turn right

Navigation decision point

Towns Along This Route

Between Fort Lauderdale, FL and Boca Raton, FL, road signs point toward Limbo Nature Centre and Boca Raton Museum Of Art.

Limbo Nature Centre

18 mi in | ~23m

Boca Raton Museum Of Art

18 mi in | ~23m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 95 15.8 mi 18m
West Palmetto Park Road 1.8 mi 3m
East Broward Boulevard 1.5 mi 3m
North Dixie Highway 0.5 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 — 15.8 mi, about 18m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fort Lauderdale, FL and Boca Raton, FL.

1

Start on SR 842

1.5 mi · 3 min · East Broward Boulevard
Use the none lane.
2

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 95 North: West Palm Beach
3

Merge onto I 95

16 mi · 18 min · I 95
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
4

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Exit 44 Toward Palmetto Park Road Use the slight right lane.
5

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 21 sec
Toward CR 798 East: Palmetto Park Road, Limbo Nature Centre, Boca Raton Museum Of Art Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
6

Turn straight onto West Palmetto Park Road

1.8 mi · 3 min · West Palmetto Park Road
Use the none lane.
7

Turn left onto North Dixie Highway

0.5 mi · 1 min · North Dixie Highway
Use the left lane.
8

Turn right onto Northeast 8th Street

326 ft · 11 sec · Northeast 8th Street
9

Continue on Northeast Mizner Boulevard

0.1 mi · 22 sec · Northeast Mizner Boulevard
10

Turn left onto Northeast 2nd Avenue

0.1 mi · 33 sec · Northeast 2nd Avenue
11

Turn left

233 ft · 19 sec
12

At end of road, turn right

37 ft · 2 sec
13

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Since the entire trip covers only 20.8 miles, you have significant flexibility with your departure time. However, be mindful that I-95 traffic in this region can be heavy, so plan your drive accordingly to avoid peak congestion if possible. You will not need to worry about planning for any stops, as the duration is short enough to complete in one go. Keep your $3 fuel budget in mind when budgeting for your day. A helpful tip for this specific route is to familiarize yourself with your exit points on I-95 before you leave, as the transition onto West Palmetto Park Road comes quickly once you approach Boca Raton.

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 10.4 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL, or about 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 15.8 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 20.8 miles or 30m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 10.4 miles or 14m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 22m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Boca Raton, FL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Fort Lauderdale, 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 Fort Lauderdale, FL

This is one driving day of about 20.8 miles and 30m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Fort Lauderdale, 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 15.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 10.4 mi from Fort Lauderdale, FL · 14m into the drive

Downtown Pompano Beach, FL, FL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Pompano Beach, FL

10 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

Pompano Beach, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 20.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Pompano Beach, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 10.4 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Boca Raton, FL

The final approach into Boca Raton, 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 Boca Raton, 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

$3.47 one way

$6.95 round trip

$4.24/gal 25.4 MPG avg 7 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.60 $3.76 $7.53
premium $4.90 $4.01 $8.02
diesel $5.64 $4.62 $9.24

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$3

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$28–$53

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 7.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 71% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 6.2 0 $2.18 $1.00
Efficient EV 5.2 0 $1.82 $0.83
EV Truck/SUV 8.3 0 $2.91 $1.33

Gas CO2

7 kg

EV CO2

2 kg (71% 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Afternoon in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday

Local time

4:39 PM

EDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Boca Raton, FL

Afternoon in Boca Raton on Sunday

Local time

4:39 PM

EDT

Current temp

71°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 warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

30m 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 Fort Lauderdale, FL to Boca Raton, FL covers 20.8 miles and takes about 30m 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, East 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 10.4 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.47 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 is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 20.8 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (SR 842 / East Broward Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.9 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Fort Lauderdale, FL and Boca Raton, FL, road signs point toward Limbo Nature Centre and Boca Raton Museum Of Art.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Boca Raton, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL

Plan the drive back the other way.

21.7 mi 31m

Explore more options from Fort Lauderdale, FL or browse trips ending in Boca Raton, FL.

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