This 163.5-mile drive from Bokeelia to Fort Lauderdale is a straightforward, highway-focused trip that can easily be completed in a single day, taking about 3 hours and 25 minutes. With 85% of the journey on highways like I-75 and the Port Everglades Expressway, it’s designed for efficient travel. You can expect a fuel cost of around $26 for this route. Given its manageable length and the clear path, this drive is ideal for a day trip, allowing flexibility in your schedule. The route stays within Florida, connecting you across the state.
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
81.8 miles from Bokeelia, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
116.7 mi
2h 5m
Port Everglades Expressway
10.1 mi
11m
Veterans Memorial Parkway
9.8 mi
14m
Stringfellow Road
7.1 mi
17m
Colonial Boulevard
5.8 mi
9m
Pine Island Road Northwest
3.9 mi
7m
SR 84
2.2 mi
3m
Marina Boulevard
1.6 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 116.7 mi, about 2h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bokeelia, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL.
1
Start on CR 767
0.1 mi·15 sec·Main Street
2
Continue on CR 767
7.1 mi·17 min·Stringfellow Road
3
Turn left onto CR 78
3.9 mi·7 min·Pine Island Road Northwest
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on CR 78
1.5 mi·2 min·Southwest Pine Island Road
5
Turn right onto CR 884
9.8 mi·14 min·Veterans Memorial Parkway
Use the right lane.
6
Continue on CR 884
1.4 mi·1 min·Midpoint Bridge
7
Continue on CR 884
5.8 mi·9 min·Colonial Boulevard
Use the left lane.
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 75 South: NaplesUse the right lane.
9
Merge onto I 75
117 mi·2 hr 5 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
With a total duration of just 3 hours and 25 minutes, you have plenty of flexibility for this 163.5-mile trip from Bokeelia to Fort Lauderdale. Aim to depart in the morning to take advantage of lighter traffic, especially as you near the Fort Lauderdale area. Since the longest stretch is 116.7 miles on I-75, plan for a brief stop around the midpoint if needed, though you might find you don't require many breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $26, and refueling options are plentiful along the interstate.
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 81.8 miles from Bokeelia, FL, or about 1h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 116.7 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 36 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81.8 miles or 1h 50m 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 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 Bokeelia, 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 Bokeelia, FL
This is one driving day of about 163.5 miles and 3h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Bokeelia, 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 116.7 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 12.7 and 159.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
12.7 mi into trip|~27m in|CR 884 / Veterans Memorial Parkway
Turn right onto CR 884 / Veterans Memorial Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
29.6 mi into trip|~53m in
Take the exit toward I 75 South: Naples
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 75 South: Naples
9
146.8 mi into trip|~3h 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
156.9 mi into trip|~3h 11m 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
159.3 mi into trip|~3h 16m 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
$26.02 one way
$52.05 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg57 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$28.31
$56.62
premium
$4.72
$30.40
$60.80
diesel
$5.61
$36.10
$72.20
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
49.1
0
$17.17
$7.85
Efficient EV
40.9
0
$14.31
$6.54
EV Truck/SUV
65.4
0
$22.89
$10.46
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Bokeelia, FL
Morning
in Bokeelia on Tuesday
Local time
10:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Morning
in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday
Local time
10:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°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
4 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
3h 25m 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?
Expect a predominantly highway experience on this 163.5-mile journey, with 85% of the drive utilizing major routes. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 116.7 miles on I-75, offering a consistent pace. You'll transition from I-75 onto Veterans Memorial Parkway and then the Port Everglades Expressway as you approach your destination. This profile means you'll spend most of your time on well-maintained, high-speed roads, making for a predictable and rapid transit.
85% 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: 116.7 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 12.7 miles in near CR 884 / Veterans Memorial Parkway.
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 13 significant decision points across 163.5 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: at 12.7 miles (CR 884 / Veterans Memorial Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 29.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 146.8 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 3h 25m. Total distance: 163.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 116.7 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 7 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 7 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 12.7 miles (CR 884 / Veterans Memorial Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 29.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 146.8 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Fort Lauderdale, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
