Anna Maria to Fort Lauderdale is 236.9 miles and takes about 4h 39m via I 75 and Port Everglades Expressway, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward drive entirely within Florida, connecting two distinct coastal regions. Most of the trip is on highways, making it efficient for getting from point A to point B. With a recommended one-day drive, you can expect a relatively quick transit between these two points.
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
118.4 miles from Anna Maria, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 25m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
201.2 mi
3h 35m
Port Everglades Expressway
10.1 mi
11m
Manatee Avenue
8.3 mi
15m
State Road 64 East
3 mi
4m
SR 84
2.2 mi
3m
Manatee Avenue East
1.7 mi
3m
Marina Boulevard
1.6 mi
3m
Gulf Drive
1.5 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 201.2 mi, about 3h 35m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 46 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,826 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,424
Quietest
2 AM
~185 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Anna Maria, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL.
1
Start on this road
27 ft·4 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto Pine Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Pine Avenue
3
Turn left onto Gulf Drive
0.7 mi·2 min·Gulf Drive
4
Continue on Palm Drive
0.7 mi·1 min·Palm Drive
5
Continue on Marina Drive
0.7 mi·2 min·Marina Drive
6
Turn left onto Gulf Drive
0.8 mi·2 min·Gulf Drive
7
Turn left onto FL 64
8.3 mi·15 min·Manatee Avenue
Use the left lane.
8
Turn right onto FL 64
314 ft·9 sec·15th Street West
9
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 64
0.8 mi·2 min·6th Avenue West
10
Continue on FL 64
0.5 mi·1 min·6th Avenue East
11
Continue on FL 64
0.2 mi·30 sec·7th Avenue East
12
Turn straight onto FL 64
1.7 mi·3 min·Manatee Avenue East
13
Continue on FL 64
3.0 mi·4 min·State Road 64 East
14
Take the ramp
1.2 mi·1 min
15
Merge onto I 75
20 mi·21 min·I 75
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
181 mi·3 hr 14 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
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.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 9CToward SR 84 East: Marina Mile BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn straight onto SR 84
0.2 mi·18 sec·SR 84
Toward I 595 East, SR 84 East
20
Keep slight left at fork onto SR 84
2.0 mi·3 min·SR 84
Toward SR 84 East
21
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.
22
Turn left onto Southwest 4th Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Southwest 4th Avenue
Use the left lane.
23
Turn right onto Southwest 17th Street
0.3 mi·33 sec·Southwest 17th Street
24
Continue on Southeast 17th Street
0.1 mi·25 sec·Southeast 17th Street
25
Turn left onto Southeast 3rd Avenue
1.5 mi·3 min·Southeast 3rd Avenue
Use the straight lane.
26
Turn left onto SR 842
0.2 mi·35 sec·East Broward Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
27
Arrive at destination
SR 842
Trip Plan
Given the 4.5-hour estimated drive time, leaving Anna Maria in the morning is your best bet to arrive in Fort Lauderdale with plenty of daylight. Since this is a single-day trip with only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in when and where you choose to take a break. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $35, and it's always wise to refuel before hitting the longest stretch on I 75. Plan to pay attention to your GPS as you approach Fort Lauderdale, as the highway portion ends and you'll navigate through more local roads.
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 118.4 miles from Anna Maria, FL, or about 2h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 201.2 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 52 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 118.4 miles or 2h 25m 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 46m
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 Anna Maria, 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 Anna Maria, FL
This is one driving day of about 236.9 miles and 4h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Anna Maria, 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 201.2 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.2 and 232.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
3.2 mi into trip|~10m in|FL 64 / Manatee Avenue
Turn left onto FL 64 / Manatee Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
38.9 mi into trip|~59m 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
220.1 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
230.3 mi into trip|~4h 25m 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
232.7 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
$35.86 one way
$71.72 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$39.35
$78.70
premium
$4.55
$42.44
$84.87
diesel
$4.80
$44.73
$89.46
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.1
0
$24.87
$11.37
Efficient EV
59.2
0
$20.73
$9.48
EV Truck/SUV
94.8
1
$33.17
$15.16
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Anna Maria, FL
Afternoon
in Anna Maria on Sunday
Local time
12:38 PM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
SSE 9 to 17 mph68% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Afternoon
in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday
Local time
12:38 PM
EDT
Current temp
91°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 8 to 13 mph22% 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
1 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 90% highway, so expect consistent cruising for the majority of your trip. You'll be on I 75 for a significant stretch of 201.2 miles. The transition to surface roads like Manatee Avenue will occur as you approach your destination. Be prepared for a denser series of exits as you get closer to Fort Lauderdale.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 201.2 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Port Everglades Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.2 miles in near FL 64 / Manatee Avenue.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 236.9 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 3.2 miles (FL 64 / Manatee Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 38.9 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 220.1 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).
Top landmarks
•Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale — art museum in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA
•Bryan Building — building in Florida, United States
•North Woodlawn Cemetery — cemetery in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 39m. Total distance: 236.9 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 201.2 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 3.2 miles (FL 64 / Manatee Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 38.9 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 220.1 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.
