Wabasso Beach to Fort Lauderdale is 126.5 miles and takes about 2h 40m via Florida's Turnpike and I-95, with a fuel budget near $20 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, making it a straightforward drive down the Atlantic coast. With over 80% of the route on highways, expect a focused and efficient journey. This drive is best suited for a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. It's a practical option if you're looking to cover ground relatively quickly between these two Florida points.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
63.3 miles from Wabasso Beach, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
84.9 mi
1h 32m
I 95
7.2 mi
8m
US 1
5.4 mi
8m
North Kings Highway
5.2 mi
7m
Indian River Boulevard
5.1 mi
8m
US Highway 1
3.7 mi
6m
Turnpike Feeder Road
3 mi
4m
Wabasso Beach Road
2.6 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 84.9 mi, about 1h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wabasso Beach, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL.
1
Start on East Barefoot Place
71 ft·9 sec·East Barefoot Place
2
Turn left onto SR A1A
0.1 mi·18 sec·SR A1A
3
Continue on FL 510
2.6 mi·4 min·Wabasso Beach Road
Use the left lane.
4
Turn left onto US 1
4.4 mi·6 min·US 1
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on US 1
0.9 mi·1 min·US 1
6
Turn left onto 45th Street
0.5 mi·52 sec·45th Street
Use the left lane.
7
Turn right onto CR 603
5.1 mi·8 min·Indian River Boulevard
Use the left lane.
8
Turn left onto US 1
3.7 mi·6 min·US Highway 1
Use the left lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto FL 713
3.0 mi·4 min·Turnpike Feeder Road
10
Continue on FL 713
5.2 mi·7 min·North Kings Highway
Use the left lane.
11
Continue on FL 713
2.4 mi·3 min·South Kings Highway
12
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·26 sec·this road
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike SouthUse the left lane.
14
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
85 mi·1 hr 32 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 67Toward Coconut Creek Parkway, Martin Luther King BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
251 ft·15 sec
Toward East Martin Luther King Boulevard, Atlantic Boulevard
17
Turn left onto Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
1.4 mi·2 min·Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
18
Turn left onto Northwest 16th Avenue
0.1 mi·25 sec·Northwest 16th Avenue
19
Turn right onto North Andrews Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·North Andrews Avenue
20
Turn left onto SR 814
497 ft·16 sec·West Atlantic Boulevard
Use the left lane.
21
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·58 sec
Toward I 95 South: Miami
22
Merge onto I 95
7.2 mi·8 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 27Toward SR 842: Broward Boulevard, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Turn left onto SR 842
1.8 mi·3 min·West Broward Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
25
Continue on SR 842
0.2 mi·35 sec·East Broward Boulevard
Use the left lane.
26
Arrive at destination
SR 842
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 2h 40m duration and 126.5-mile distance, you have the flexibility to leave whenever suits you best, but an early start will ensure you arrive with plenty of daylight. The longest stretch is 84.9 miles on Florida's Turnpike, so plan for a fuel or rest stop before or after this segment. With a fuel cost estimated at $20, it's an economical trip. Pay attention to the transition between Florida's Turnpike and I-95, as this is where the road character changes most significantly. One stop should be sufficient for this drive.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 63.3 miles from Wabasso Beach, FL, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.9 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 28 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63.3 miles or 1h 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 8m
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 Wabasso 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 Wabasso Beach, FL
This is one driving day of about 126.5 miles and 2h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Wabasso 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 Florida's Turnpike for about 84.9 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 124.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|SR A1A
Turn left onto SR A1A
Navigation decision point
8
28.2 mi into trip|~45m 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
113.5 mi into trip|~2h 19m 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...
6
114.1 mi into trip|~2h 21m in
Keep slight left at fork toward East Martin Luther King Boulevard, Atlantic Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward East Martin Luther King Boulevard, Atlan...
8
124.1 mi into trip|~2h 35m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.14 one way
$40.27 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg44 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$21.90
$43.81
premium
$4.72
$23.52
$47.04
diesel
$5.61
$27.93
$55.86
Estimated Tolls: $6.15
Florida's Turnpike
(84.9 mi)$5.94
Turnpike Feeder Road
(3 mi)$0.21
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
$20
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
37.9
0
$13.28
$6.07
Efficient EV
31.6
0
$11.07
$5.06
EV Truck/SUV
50.6
0
$17.71
$8.10
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Wabasso Beach, FL
Afternoon
in Wabasso Beach on Saturday
Local time
1:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Afternoon
in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday
Local time
1:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°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
6 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
2h 40m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 82% of the 126.5 miles on major roads like Florida's Turnpike and I-95. You'll experience long, uninterrupted stretches, including an 84.9-mile segment on Florida's Turnpike, which means consistent speeds and minimal local traffic. The character is primarily that of a modern interstate system, designed for efficient travel. While not a scenic byway, it offers a direct path, allowing you to cover distance effectively. Expect a familiar driving experience for anyone accustomed to US highway travel.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 84.9 mi on Florida's Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and I 95. 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 A1A.
Driving Effort9/10
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 126.5 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 A1A): Navigation decision point; at 28.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 113.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Wabasso Beach, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL, road signs point toward Miami and Florida's Turnpike South.
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 2h 40m. Total distance: 126.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 84.9 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $6.15 in tolls one way, starting with Florida's Turnpike. 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.
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: near the start (SR A1A): Navigation decision point; at 28.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 113.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Fort Lauderdale, FL before heading back.
