The drive from Saint Augustine Beach, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL covers 284.7 miles and takes about 5h 23m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 95, Florida's Turnpike, US 1 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 175.6 miles on I 95.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $45.32 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
142.3 miles from Saint Augustine Beach, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 39m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 23m. Total distance: 284.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 23m highway drive covering 284.7 miles, with most of the trip on I 95 and Florida's Turnpike. The longest continuous stretch is about 175.6 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 25 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 175.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Florida's Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 185 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 284.7 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: at 185 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 185.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 186.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
185 mi into trip|~3h 25m in
Take the exit toward FL 70: Okeechobee, Fort Pierce
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 129
Toward FL 70: Okeechobee, Fort Pierce
7
185.5 mi into trip|~3h 26m in
Keep slight right at fork toward FL 70 West: Okeechobee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward FL 70 West: Okeechobee
8
186.3 mi into trip|~3h 28m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike South
8
271.7 mi into trip|~5h 1m in
Take the exit toward Coconut Creek Parkway, Martin Luther King Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 67
Toward Coconut Creek Parkway, Martin Luther Kin...
8
282.2 mi into trip|~5h 17m 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Saint Augustine Beach, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL, road signs point toward Fort Pierce, Miami and Florida's Turnpike South.
Fort Pierce
185 mi in|~3h 25m
Miami
186.3 mi in|~3h 28m
Florida's Turnpike South
186.3 mi in|~3h 28m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
175.6 mi
3h 9m
Florida's Turnpike
84.9 mi
1h 32m
US 1
6.7 mi
8m
A1A
3.9 mi
6m
FL 206
3.9 mi
5m
West Broward Boulevard
1.8 mi
3m
A1A Beach Boulevard
1.8 mi
3m
Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 175.6 mi, about 3h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Augustine Beach, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL.
1
Start on 9th Street
482 ft·26 sec·9th Street
2
Turn left onto A1A Beach Boulevard
1.8 mi·3 min·A1A Beach Boulevard
3
Turn left onto SR A1A
3.9 mi·6 min·SR A1A
4
Turn right onto FL 206
3.9 mi·5 min·FL 206
5
Turn left onto US 1
6.7 mi·8 min·US 1
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I 95 South: Miami
7
Merge onto I 95
168 mi·3 hr 1 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
Exit 129Toward FL 70: Okeechobee, Fort PierceUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
492 ft·12 sec
Toward FL 70 West: OkeechobeeUse the right lane.
10
Merge onto FL 70
0.5 mi·57 sec·Okeechobee Road
11
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·35 sec
Use the left / uturn lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike SouthUse the left lane.
13
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
85 mi·1 hr 32 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 67Toward Coconut Creek Parkway, Martin Luther King BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
251 ft·15 sec
Toward East Martin Luther King Boulevard, Atlantic Boulevard
16
Turn left onto Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
1.4 mi·2 min·Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
17
Turn left onto Northwest 16th Avenue
0.1 mi·25 sec·Northwest 16th Avenue
18
Turn right onto North Andrews Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·North Andrews Avenue
19
Turn left onto SR 814
497 ft·16 sec·West Atlantic Boulevard
Use the left lane.
20
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·58 sec
Toward I 95 South: Miami
21
Merge onto I 95
7.2 mi·8 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 27Toward SR 842: Broward Boulevard, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn left onto SR 842
1.8 mi·3 min·West Broward Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
24
Continue on SR 842
0.2 mi·35 sec·East Broward Boulevard
Use the left lane.
25
Arrive at destination
SR 842
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 142.3 miles from Saint Augustine Beach, FL, or about 2h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 175.6 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 63 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 142.3 miles or 2h 39m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 20m
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 Saint Augustine Beach, 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 Saint Augustine Beach, FL
This is one driving day of about 284.7 miles and 5h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Saint Augustine Beach, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 95 for about 175.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 142.3 mi from Saint Augustine Beach, FL
· 2h 39m into the drive
The midpoint is around 142.3 miles from Saint Augustine Beach, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 175.6 miles.
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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Nearby Places
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
National Monument
Built by the Spanish in St. Augustine to defend Florida and the Atlantic trade route, Castillo de San Marcos National Monument preserves the oldest masonry fortification in the continental United Stat...
Fort Matanzas National Monument preserves the fortified coquina watchtower, completed in 1742, which defended the southern approach to the Spanish military settlement of St. Augustine. It also protect...
Discover a dynamic barrier island shaped by dunes, coastal hammocks, and Mosquito Lagoon. Walk among ancient Timucua shell mounds and connect with thousands of years of human history. Immerse yourself...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
$25
near mile 88.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.32 one way
$90.63 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg100 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$49.30
$98.59
premium
$4.72
$52.94
$105.88
diesel
$5.61
$62.86
$125.72
Estimated Tolls: $5.94
Florida's Turnpike
(84.9 mi)$5.94
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 99.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
85.4
1
$29.89
$13.67
Efficient EV
71.2
0
$24.91
$11.39
EV Truck/SUV
113.9
1
$39.86
$18.22
Gas CO2
100 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Saint Augustine Beach, FL
Late night
in Saint Augustine Beach on Friday
Local time
12:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Late night
in Fort Lauderdale on Friday
Local time
12:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Mostly Sunny
E 7 to 10 mph4% chanceLive 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
18 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
5h 23m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Saint Augustine Beach, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL covers 284.7 miles and takes about 5h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 95, Florida's Turnpike, US 1. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 142.3 miles from Saint Augustine Beach, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $45.32 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 284.7 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: at 185 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 185.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 186.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Saint Augustine Beach, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL, road signs point toward Fort Pierce, Miami and Florida's Turnpike South.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, Fort Matanzas National Monument and Canaveral National Seashore.
