Origin
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Morning in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday
Local time
8:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Belleair Beach, FL
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 6m
Distance
267.1 mi
430 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$43
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 53m
★
6 AM
5h 7m
8 AM
5h 34m
10 AM
5h 16m
12 PM
5h 14m
3 PM
5h 18m
5 PM
5h 33m
8 PM
4h 59m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Belleair Beach, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Fort Lauderdale to Belleair Beach is 267.1 miles and takes about 5 hours 6 minutes via I 75 and the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This all-Florida trip will keep you on highways for most of the journey, making it a straightforward drive. You'll mostly be on I-75, which is a practical choice for covering distance efficiently. This route is best suited for those prioritizing speed and directness to reach their destination on the Gulf Coast.
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
133.6 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 28m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 209.2 mi | 3h 44m |
| Sunshine Skyway Bridge | 19.5 mi | 22m |
| Port Everglades Expressway | 11.5 mi | 13m |
| US Highway 19 North | 6.4 mi | 9m |
| I 275 | 5.7 mi | 7m |
| East Bay Drive | 3.6 mi | 6m |
| West Bay Drive | 2.3 mi | 5m |
| East Broward Boulevard | 1.6 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 209.2 mi, about 3h 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Lauderdale, FL and Belleair Beach, FL.
1
Start on SR 842
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
East Broward Boulevard
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward I 95 South: Miami
3
Keep slight right at fork
2.2 mi
·
3 min
Toward I 595: Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale - Hollywood International Airport
Use the slight right lane.
4
Keep slight right at fork
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 595 West
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
5
Merge onto I 595
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Port Everglades Expressway
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 595
10 mi
·
11 min
·
Port Everglades Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 75
209 mi
·
3 hr 44 min
·
I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit onto I 275
5.7 mi
·
7 min
·
I 275
Exit 228
Toward I 275 North: Saint Petersburg
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
10
Merge onto I 275; US 19
19 mi
·
22 min
·
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 26B
Toward 54th Avenue North Westbound
Use the slight right lane.
12
Turn straight onto 54th Avenue North
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
54th Avenue North
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn right onto US 19
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
34th Street North
14
Continue on US 19
6.4 mi
·
9 min
·
US Highway 19 North
Use the left lane.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward FL 686: East Bay Drive, Roosevelt Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on US 19 Northbound Frontage Road
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
US 19 Northbound Frontage Road
17
Turn left onto FL 686
3.6 mi
·
6 min
·
East Bay Drive
Use the left / straight lanes.
18
Continue on CR 416
2.3 mi
·
5 min
·
West Bay Drive
Use the left lane.
19
Continue on CR 416
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Belleair Causeway
20
Continue on CR 416
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Causeway Boulevard
21
At end of road, turn right onto Gulf Boulevard
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
Gulf Boulevard
Use the right lane.
22
Arrive at destination
Gulf Boulevard
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour duration, leaving Fort Lauderdale in the morning allows ample time to reach Belleair Beach before evening. The longest uninterrupted stretch is over 200 miles on I-75, so plan for a fuel and stretch break before you begin that segment. While the drive is manageable in one day, be mindful of the $43 estimated fuel cost and adjust your budget accordingly. A good tip is to ensure your vehicle is topped off with fuel before departing, as services can be more spaced out on longer interstate stretches.
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 133.6 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL, or about 2h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 209.2 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 59 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.6 miles or 2h 28m 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 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Belleair Beach, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fort Lauderdale, 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 Fort Lauderdale, FL
This is one driving day of about 267.1 miles and 5h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Fort Lauderdale, 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 209.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
134 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 133.6 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 209.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 1.8 and 259.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
1.8 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 595: Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale - Hollywood International Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 595: Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale...
7
3.9 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 595 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 595 West
7
225.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 6m in
|
I 275
Take the exit onto I 275 toward I 275 North: Saint Petersburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 228
Toward I 275 North: Saint Petersburg
7
251.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 37m in
Take the exit toward 54th Avenue North Westbound
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 26B
Toward 54th Avenue North Westbound
7
259.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 50m in
Take the exit toward FL 686: East Bay Drive, Roosevelt Boulevard
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.
Toward FL 686: East Bay Drive, Roosevelt Boulev...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.52 one way
$85.03 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
94 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $46.25 | $92.50 |
| premium | $4.72 | $49.67 | $99.33 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $58.97 | $117.94 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.36
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
(19.5 mi)
$1.36
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
$43
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 80.1 | 0 | $28.05 | $12.82 |
| Efficient EV | 66.8 | 0 | $23.37 | $10.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 106.8 | 1 | $37.39 | $17.09 |
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 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.
Destination
Belleair Beach, FL
Morning in Belleair Beach on Sunday
Local time
8:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
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.
Road read
5h 6m 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...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 230.3
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for 87% of this 267.1-mile trip. The majority of your time will be spent on I-75, including a significant stretch of 209.2 miles without needing to exit. While primarily interstate, you will experience the impressive Sunshine Skyway Bridge, offering a different kind of highway feel. The Port Everglades Expressway also provides a brief, high-speed introduction at the start. Overall, this route emphasizes consistent, high-speed travel.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 209.2 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 1.8 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 15 significant decision points across 267.1 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 1.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 225.6 miles (I 275): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Belleair Beach, FL, road signs begin pointing toward 54Th Avenue North Westbound along the way.
54Th Avenue North Westbound
251.1 mi in
|
~4h 37m
About the Cities
Starting in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Full guide →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).
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 6m. Total distance: 267.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 209.2 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.36 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 Belleair Beach, 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 1.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 225.6 miles (I 275): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — De Soto National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Belleair Beach, FL before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner 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.
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