Origin
Palmetto Bay, FL
Morning in Palmetto Bay on Wednesday
Local time
8:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Palmetto Bay, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
1h 5m
Distance
41.8 mi
67 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 0m
★
6 AM
1h 5m
8 AM
1h 15m
10 AM
1h 9m
12 PM
1h 8m
3 PM
1h 9m
5 PM
1h 15m
8 PM
1h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Palmetto Bay, FL
DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Palmetto Bay, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL covers 41.8 miles and takes about 1h 5m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 95, South Dixie Highway, Southwest 82nd Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 26.5 miles on I 95. At current regular gas prices, budget about $6.65 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
20.9 miles from Palmetto Bay, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 36m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 1h 5m highway drive covering 41.8 miles, with most of the trip on I 95 and South Dixie Highway. The longest continuous stretch is about 26.5 miles on I 95.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 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 26.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and South Dixie Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Southwest 82nd Avenue.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 41.8 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 (Southwest 82nd Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 2.6 miles (US 1 / South Dixie Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 12.4 miles (I 95; US 1): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
7
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Southwest 82nd Avenue
Enter roundabout onto Southwest 82nd Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
2.6 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
US 1 / South Dixie Highway
At end of road, turn right onto US 1 / South Dixie Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
12.4 mi into trip
|
~24m in
|
I 95; US 1
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; US 1 toward I 95 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 North
8
38.8 mi into trip
|
~58m 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
39.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 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 Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Palmetto Bay, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Downtown along the way.
Downtown
38.8 mi in
|
~58m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 26.5 mi | 33m |
| South Dixie Highway | 9.8 mi | 17m |
| Southwest 82nd Avenue | 2.6 mi | 6m |
| West Broward Boulevard | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| East Broward Boulevard | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Southwest 120th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Southwest 160th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 26.5 mi, about 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Palmetto Bay, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL.
1
Start on Southwest 160th Street
37 ft
·
7 sec
·
Southwest 160th Street
2
Enter roundabout onto Southwest 82nd Avenue
65 ft
·
1 sec
·
Southwest 82nd Avenue
3
Continue on Southwest 82nd Avenue
2.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Southwest 82nd Avenue
4
At end of road, turn left onto Southwest 120th Street
74 ft
·
1 sec
·
Southwest 120th Street
5
Take the ramp
124 ft
·
4 sec
6
At end of road, turn right onto US 1
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
South Dixie Highway
Use the right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1
8.4 mi
·
15 min
·
South Dixie Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; US 1
4.4 mi
·
6 min
·
I 95; US 1
Toward I 95 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95
22 mi
·
27 min
·
I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Exit 27
Toward SR 842: Broward Boulevard, Downtown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
465 ft
·
11 sec
Toward SR 842 East
Use the right lane.
12
Turn right onto SR 842
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
West Broward Boulevard
Use the right lane.
13
Continue on SR 842
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
East Broward Boulevard
Use the left lane.
14
Arrive at destination
SR 842
Trip Plan
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 20.9 miles from Palmetto Bay, FL, or about 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 26.5 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 41.8 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 20.9 miles or 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 54m
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 Palmetto Bay, 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 Palmetto Bay, FL
This is one driving day of about 41.8 miles and 1h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Palmetto Bay, 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 26.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 20.9 mi from Palmetto Bay, FL · 36m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
21 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 41.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 20.9 miles from Palmetto Bay, 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
$6.65 one way
$13.31 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
15 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $7.24 | $14.48 |
| premium | $4.72 | $7.77 | $15.54 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.23 | $18.46 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$32–$57
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.5 | 0 | $4.39 | $2.01 |
| Efficient EV | 10.5 | 0 | $3.66 | $1.67 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16.7 | 0 | $5.85 | $2.68 |
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 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 Wednesday
Local time
8:17 AM
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
9 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
1h 5m 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 Palmetto Bay, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL covers 41.8 miles and takes about 1h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 95, South Dixie Highway, Southwest 82nd 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 20.9 miles from Palmetto Bay, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.65 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 41.8 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 (Southwest 82nd Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 2.6 miles (US 1 / South Dixie Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 12.4 miles (I 95; US 1): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Palmetto Bay, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Downtown along the way.
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