Origin
Miami Gardens, FL
Evening in Miami Gardens on Sunday
Local time
7:08 PM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Miami Gardens, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL
Drive Time
29m
Distance
18.8 mi
30 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 27m
★
6 AM
0h 29m
8 AM
0h 34m
10 AM
0h 31m
12 PM
0h 31m
3 PM
0h 31m
5 PM
0h 34m
8 PM
0h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Miami Gardens, FL
DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Kelly
Trip Overview
Traveling from Miami Gardens to Fort Lauderdale is a quick, straightforward journey covering 18.8 miles. You can comfortably complete this trip in about 29 minutes, making it an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stay. With a total fuel cost of approximately $3, it is an incredibly budget-friendly commute between these two Florida cities. The route utilizes a combination of Northwest 183rd Street, I-95, and West Broward Boulevard to navigate the region. Because the distance is so short, you have the flexibility to head out whenever your schedule allows without needing to stress over long-haul logistics. It is a practical, efficient connection within the state of Florida that keeps you on the move.
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
9.4 miles from Miami Gardens, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 14m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a highway-focused drive that relies heavily on major thoroughfares for the majority of the trip. With 62% of the route spent on highways, you should prepare for a consistent, high-speed experience rather than a slow, winding cruise. The most significant portion of your time behind the wheel will be the 11.7-mile stretch on I-95, which serves as the backbone of your journey. As you transition from local roads like Northwest 183rd Street onto the interstate and eventually toward West Broward Boulevard, the pace shifts from urban maneuvering to steady highway travel. Expect a functional, direct drive that prioritizes speed and efficiency over scenic detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 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 11.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Northwest 183rd Street. 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 817 / Northwest 27th Avenue.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 8 significant decision points across 18.8 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 817 / Northwest 27th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 3.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4.1 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
SR 817 / Northwest 27th Avenue
Turn right onto SR 817 / Northwest 27th Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
3.7 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Take the ramp toward I 95 North: Fort Lauderdale
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 95 North: Fort Lauderdale
5
4.1 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
I 95
Merge onto I 95
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
15.8 mi into trip
|
~22m 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
7
16.8 mi into trip
|
~24m in
Keep slight right at fork toward SR 842 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward SR 842 East
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Miami Gardens, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Downtown along the way.
Downtown
15.8 mi in
|
~22m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 11.7 mi | 13m |
| Northwest 183rd Street | 2.8 mi | 5m |
| West Broward Boulevard | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Miami Gardens Drive | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Northeast 183rd Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| East Broward Boulevard | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Northwest 27th Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 11.7 mi, about 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Miami Gardens, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL.
1
Start on this road
42 ft
·
5 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto SR 817
345 ft
·
8 sec
·
Northwest 27th Avenue
3
Turn left onto SR 860
2.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Northwest 183rd Street
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on SR 860
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
Northeast 183rd Street
Use the none lane.
5
Continue on SR 860
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Miami Gardens Drive
Use the none lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 95 North: Fort Lauderdale
Use the left lane.
7
Merge onto I 95
12 mi
·
13 min
·
I 95
Use the none lane.
8
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Exit 27
Toward SR 842: Broward Boulevard, Downtown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
465 ft
·
11 sec
Toward SR 842 East
Use the right lane.
10
Turn right onto SR 842
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
West Broward Boulevard
Use the right lane.
11
Continue on SR 842
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
East Broward Boulevard
Use the left lane.
12
Arrive at destination
SR 842
Trip Plan
Since this trip only takes about half an hour, you do not need to worry about planning for rest stops or meal breaks along the way. Your best strategy is to monitor local traffic patterns on I-95, as the heavy highway usage means congestion can easily impact your 29-minute travel time. Given the low $3 fuel cost, topping off your tank before you leave Miami Gardens ensures you won't need to hunt for gas once you arrive in Fort Lauderdale. Keep your pace steady during that long 11.7-mile interstate stretch to maintain a smooth flow with the surrounding traffic. Use the simplicity of this short route to your advantage by planning your departure around peak rush hours to ensure the quickest possible arrival.
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 9.4 miles from Miami Gardens, FL, or about 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 11.7 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 18.8 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 9.4 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 Fort Lauderdale, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Miami Gardens, 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 Miami Gardens, FL
This is one driving day of about 18.8 miles and 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Miami Gardens, 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 11.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 9.4 mi from Miami Gardens, FL · 14m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
9 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 18.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 9.4 miles from Miami Gardens, 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
$3.14 one way
$6.28 round trip
$4.24/gal
25.4 MPG avg
7 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $3.40 | $6.80 |
| premium | $4.90 | $3.62 | $7.25 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $4.18 | $8.35 |
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: 6.6 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 | 5.6 | 0 | $1.97 | $0.90 |
| Efficient EV | 4.7 | 0 | $1.65 | $0.75 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 7.5 | 0 | $2.63 | $1.20 |
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.
Destination
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Evening in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday
Local time
7:08 PM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
71°F
Hollywood, FL
9 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
13 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
29m 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 Miami Gardens, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL covers 18.8 miles and takes about 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 95, Northwest 183rd Street, 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 9.4 miles from Miami Gardens, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.14 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 8 significant decision points across 18.8 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 817 / Northwest 27th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 3.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4.1 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Miami Gardens, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Downtown along the way.
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