Origin
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Afternoon in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday
Local time
4:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Miami, FL
Drive Time
38m
Distance
27.4 mi
44 km
Drive Score
5/10
Practical drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 36m
★
6 AM
0h 39m
8 AM
0h 45m
10 AM
0h 41m
12 PM
0h 40m
3 PM
0h 41m
5 PM
0h 45m
8 PM
0h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Kelly
Miami, FL
Larry Milligan
Trip Overview
Traveling the 27.4 miles from Fort Lauderdale to Miami is a straightforward, quick journey that typically takes about 38 minutes. Because this is a short trip within Florida, it is perfectly suited for a single day of travel, requiring no overnight stays. You will primarily utilize I-95, transitioning onto East Broward Boulevard and North Miami Avenue as you reach your destination. With a modest fuel budget of just $5, this drive is highly economical and efficient. It serves as a practical connection between two major urban centers, making it ideal for those who need to move between these regions without a lengthy time commitment.
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
13.7 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 19m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 85% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You should prepare for a consistent interstate experience, as the longest stretch consists of 23.4 miles on I-95. The route maintains a high-speed, functional personality rather than a winding or scenic character. Expect the environment to shift from the suburban landscape of Fort Lauderdale into the dense, high-traffic urban corridors of Miami. Navigating these segments requires you to stay alert as you transition from the interstate flow onto local arterial roads like North Miami Avenue.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 8 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 23.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and East Broward Boulevard. You will hit about 7 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 27.4 miles you will encounter 7 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 1.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.6 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the ramp toward I 95 South: Miami
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Toward I 95 South: Miami
7
1.8 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South: Miami
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 95 South: Miami
5
2.6 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
I 95
Merge onto I 95
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
26 mi into trip
|
~35m in
Take the exit toward Northwest 8th Street, Port of Miami
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 3B
Toward Northwest 8th Street, Port of Miami
6
26.9 mi into trip
|
~37m in
|
North Miami Avenue
Turn right onto North Miami Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Miami, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Port Of Miami along the way.
Port Of Miami
26 mi in
|
~35m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 23.4 mi | 29m |
| East Broward Boulevard | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| North Miami Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Northwest 8th Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 23.4 mi, about 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Lauderdale, FL and Miami, FL.
1
Start on SR 842
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
East Broward Boulevard
Use the none lane.
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward I 95 South: Miami
Use the none lane.
3
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 95 South: Miami
Use the slight left lane.
4
Merge onto I 95
23 mi
·
29 min
·
I 95
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Exit 3B
Toward Northwest 8th Street, Port of Miami
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Turn left onto Northwest 8th Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Northwest 8th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
Turn right onto North Miami Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Miami Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Arrive at destination
North Miami Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a short, 38-minute drive, you have significant flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily complete the entire 27.4-mile distance without needing any planned stops, allowing you to reach your destination in one go. Keep in mind that traffic patterns on I-95 can be heavy, so checking local congestion reports before you leave is a smart move. Because the fuel cost is estimated at only $5, you won't need to stress about refueling mid-trip. Use your extra time to focus on navigating the final local street transitions, as the shift from high-speed highway driving to city traffic happens quickly.
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 13.7 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL, or about 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 23.4 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 27.4 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 13.7 miles or 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Miami, 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 27.4 miles and 38m.
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 23.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 13.7 mi from Fort Lauderdale, FL · 19m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
14 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 27.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 13.7 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Miami, FL
The final approach into Miami, 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 Miami, 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
$4.58 one way
$9.15 round trip
$4.24/gal
25.4 MPG avg
10 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $4.96 | $9.92 |
| premium | $4.90 | $5.28 | $10.56 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $6.09 | $12.17 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 9.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 8.2 | 0 | $2.88 | $1.32 |
| Efficient EV | 6.9 | 0 | $2.40 | $1.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 11 | 0 | $3.84 | $1.75 |
Gas CO2
10 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (70% 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
Miami, FL
Afternoon in Miami on Sunday
Local time
4:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
72°F
Miramar, FL
14 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
38m 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 Miami, FL covers 27.4 miles and takes about 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 95, East Broward Boulevard, North Miami Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 13.7 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 $4.58 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 27.4 miles you will encounter 7 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 1.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Miami, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Port Of Miami along the way.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Miami, FL
More trips to Miami, FL
Explore more options from Fort Lauderdale, FL or browse trips ending in Miami, FL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse FL road trips.
Explore maps for Fort Lauderdale, FL or Miami, FL on MapSof.net.