This drive from Saint Pete Beach to Fort Lauderdale covers 248.1 miles and should take about 4 hours and 39 minutes. It's a straightforward, highway-focused trip predominantly on I-75, making it an ideal one-day journey. With an estimated fuel cost of $39, it’s an economical option for exploring Florida. You'll spend most of your time on the interstate, so expect a relatively quick transit between these two popular Florida destinations. This route is perfect if you're looking for an efficient way to get from the Gulf Coast to the Atlantic side of the state.
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
124 miles from Saint Pete Beach, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
209.3 mi
3h 44m
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
13.4 mi
15m
Port Everglades Expressway
10.1 mi
11m
Pinellas Bayway
3.7 mi
6m
SR 84
2.2 mi
3m
Marina Boulevard
1.6 mi
3m
Southeast 3rd Avenue
1.5 mi
3m
I 275
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 209.3 mi, about 3h 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Pete Beach, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL.
1
Start on FL 699
1.1 mi·2 min·Gulf Boulevard
2
Turn left onto FL 682
3.5 mi·6 min·Pinellas Bayway
Use the straight lane.
3
Continue on FL 682
0.2 mi·21 sec·Pinellas Bayway
4
Take the ramp
2.5 mi·3 min
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·17 sec
6
Merge onto I 275; US 19
13 mi·15 min·Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 275
1.1 mi·2 min·I 275
Toward I 75 South: Naples
8
Merge onto I 75
28 mi·30 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
181 mi·3 hr 14 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 595
10 mi·11 min·Port Everglades Expressway
Exit 19Toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Springs, Fort LauderdaleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 9CToward SR 84 East: Marina Mile BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn straight onto SR 84
0.2 mi·18 sec·SR 84
Toward I 595 East, SR 84 East
13
Keep slight left at fork onto SR 84
2.0 mi·3 min·SR 84
Toward SR 84 East
14
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 84
1.6 mi·3 min·Marina Boulevard
Toward SR 84 East: Marina Mile BoulevardUse the right lane.
15
Turn left onto Southwest 4th Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Southwest 4th Avenue
Use the left lane.
16
Turn right onto Southwest 17th Street
0.3 mi·33 sec·Southwest 17th Street
17
Continue on Southeast 17th Street
0.1 mi·25 sec·Southeast 17th Street
18
Turn left onto Southeast 3rd Avenue
1.5 mi·3 min·Southeast 3rd Avenue
Use the straight lane.
19
Turn left onto SR 842
0.2 mi·35 sec·East Broward Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
20
Arrive at destination
SR 842
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour 39-minute duration, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Consider departing early in the morning to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic, especially as you near Fort Lauderdale. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 209.3 miles on I-75, you can plan your breaks strategically. A good tip is to fill up your fuel tank before leaving Saint Pete Beach, as this route offers a significant uninterrupted stretch on the interstate, minimizing the need for early fuel stops.
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 124 miles from Saint Pete Beach, FL, or about 2h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 209.3 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 55 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124 miles or 2h 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 3h 44m
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 Pete 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 Pete Beach, FL
This is one driving day of about 248.1 miles and 4h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Saint Pete 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 75 for about 209.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.1 and 243.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.1 mi into trip|~2m in|FL 682 / Pinellas Bayway
Turn left onto FL 682 / Pinellas Bayway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
50 mi into trip|~1h in|I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
231.3 mi into trip|~4h 14m in|I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 19
Toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Spr...
7
241.5 mi into trip|~4h 26m in
Take the exit toward SR 84 East: Marina Mile Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 9C
Toward SR 84 East: Marina Mile Boulevard
7
243.9 mi into trip|~4h 30m in|SR 84 / Marina Boulevard
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 84 / Marina Boulevard toward SR 84 East: Marina Mile Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward SR 84 East: Marina Mile Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.49 one way
$78.98 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$42.96
$85.92
premium
$4.72
$46.13
$92.27
diesel
$5.61
$54.78
$109.55
Estimated Tolls: $0.94
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
(13.4 mi)$0.94
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
$39
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.4
0
$26.05
$11.91
Efficient EV
62
0
$21.71
$9.92
EV Truck/SUV
99.2
1
$34.73
$15.88
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Pete Beach, FL
Afternoon
in Saint Pete Beach on Saturday
Local time
3:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Afternoon
in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday
Local time
3:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Mostly Sunny
E 7 to 10 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 16 at 3:40AM EDT until April 17 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 16 at 3:00AM EDT until April 17 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
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
17 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
4h 39m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
De Soto National Memorial
National Memorial
In May 1539, Conquistador Hernando de Soto’s army of soldiers, hired mercenaries, craftsmen, and clergy made landfall in Tampa Bay. They were met with fierce resistance of indigenous people protecting...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 17.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-centric experience on this route, with 90% of the drive utilizing major interstates. The majority of your travel, a continuous stretch of 209.3 miles, will be on I-75. This means you'll encounter consistent highway speeds for the bulk of your journey. While the profile is highway-focused, you'll navigate through the Sunshine Skyway Bridge and the Port Everglades Expressway as you approach your destination, offering brief changes in the immediate surroundings. The overall feel is one of efficient travel rather than scenic detours.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 209.3 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Sunshine Skyway Bridge. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in near FL 682 / Pinellas Bayway.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 248.1 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 1.1 miles (FL 682 / Pinellas Bayway): Lane positioning matters here; at 50 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 231.3 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Fort Lauderdale is a coastal city on the Atlantic Ocean in the US state of Florida. It is known as the "Venice of America" due to its expansive canal system. Situated in Broward County in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale metro area, the city's population is over 180,000 (2021).
The city is most famous for its beaches and boats, and while the city of Fort Lauderdale is relatively small in area, the term 'Fort Lauderdale' is often used to refer to the larger metropolis that has grown up around it. It is the county seat for Broward county, and is part of the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach metropolitan area, which has over 6.1 million people (2019).
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 39m. Total distance: 248.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 209.3 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.94 in tolls one way, starting with Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Fort Lauderdale, FL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.1 miles (FL 682 / Pinellas Bayway): Lane positioning matters here; at 50 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 231.3 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — De Soto National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Fort Lauderdale, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
