Origin
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Late night in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday
Local time
4:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fort Lauderdale, FL to South 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
2h 28m
Distance
112.8 mi
182 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 18m
★
6 AM
2h 28m
8 AM
2h 48m
10 AM
2h 35m
12 PM
2h 33m
3 PM
2h 36m
5 PM
2h 47m
8 PM
2h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Wikimedia Commons
South Beach, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 112.8-mile drive from Fort Lauderdale to South Beach, Florida, is designed for a single day trip, taking an estimated 2 hours and 28 minutes. You'll primarily navigate Florida's Turnpike, Atlantic Beach Boulevard, and Okeechobee Road, with about 76% of the journey on highway segments. With a projected fuel cost of $18, this route offers a straightforward way to get from one point in Florida to another. The drive is focused on efficient travel, making it a practical option if you're looking for a direct connection between these two locations within the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
56.4 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 10m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Florida's Turnpike | 84.6 mi | 1h 33m |
| Atlantic Beach Boulevard | 7.2 mi | 12m |
| Okeechobee Road | 4.2 mi | 7m |
| Northwest 9th Avenue | 2.9 mi | 5m |
| SR A1A | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| South Powerline Road | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| Powerline Road | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| South Pompano Parkway | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 84.6 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Lauderdale, FL and South Beach, FL.
1
Start on SR 842
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Broward Boulevard
2
Turn right onto Northwest 9th Avenue
2.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Northwest 9th Avenue
3
Continue on SR 845
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Powerline Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
4
Continue on SR 845
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
South Powerline Road
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on SR 845
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Pompano Parkway
Use the left lane.
6
Turn left onto SR 814
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West Atlantic Boulevard
7
Turn right onto Northwest 31st Avenue
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Northwest 31st Avenue
Use the right lane.
8
Continue on this road
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
this road
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll, Miami, Orlando
Use the straight / left lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North
10
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
85 mi
·
1 hr 33 min
·
Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 152
Toward FL 70: Fort Pierce, Vero Beach
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
214 ft
·
5 sec
Toward FL 70 East: Fort Pierce
13
Merge onto FL 70
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Okeechobee Road
14
Keep slight left at fork onto CR 770
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Okeechobee Road
15
Continue on CR 770
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Delaware Avenue
16
Turn left onto South 7th Street
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
South 7th Street
17
Turn right onto Avenue H
330 ft
·
18 sec
·
Avenue H
18
Turn left onto US 1
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
North 4th Street
19
Turn straight onto CR 605
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Old Dixie Highway
20
Turn right onto SR A1A
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
SR A1A
21
Turn left onto SR A1A
7.2 mi
·
12 min
·
Atlantic Beach Boulevard
22
Turn left onto Regatta Drive
0.2 mi
·
43 sec
·
Regatta Drive
Use the left lane.
23
Turn right onto Springline Drive
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
·
Springline Drive
24
Enter roundabout onto Springline Drive
153 ft
·
8 sec
·
Springline Drive
25
Continue on Springline Drive
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Springline Drive
26
Turn left onto Anchor Drive
449 ft
·
15 sec
·
Anchor Drive
27
Enter roundabout onto Anchor Drive
32 ft
·
1 sec
·
Anchor Drive
28
Continue on Anchor Drive
397 ft
·
13 sec
·
Anchor Drive
29
Arrive at destination
Anchor Drive
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 28 minutes for this 112.8-mile journey, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience. Consider leaving early to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach South Beach. With a fuel cost estimated at $18, it's wise to ensure your tank is full before starting to maximize your time on the road. The longest stretch of 84.6 miles on Florida's Turnpike means you can settle in for a good portion of the drive, making a mid-journey fuel stop less critical.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 56.4 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.6 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 25 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 56.4 miles or 1h 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near South 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 112.8 miles and 2h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Florida's Turnpike for about 84.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
56 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 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 56.4 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 Florida's Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 84.6 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 185 decision points cluster between mile 8.7 and 95.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
8.7 mi into trip
|
~16m in
|
Northwest 31st Avenue
Turn right onto Northwest 31st Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
9.8 mi into trip
|
~18m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North
5
10.1 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
Florida's Turnpike
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
94.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 52m in
Take the exit toward FL 70: Fort Pierce, Vero Beach
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 152
Toward FL 70: Fort Pierce, Vero Beach
5
95.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 53m in
Keep slight right at fork toward FL 70 East: Fort Pierce
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward FL 70 East: Fort Pierce
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.95 one way
$35.91 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
40 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $19.53 | $39.06 |
| premium | $4.72 | $20.97 | $41.95 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $24.90 | $49.81 |
Estimated Tolls: $5.92
Florida's Turnpike
(84.6 mi)
$5.92
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
$18
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 33.8 | 0 | $11.84 | $5.41 |
| Efficient EV | 28.2 | 0 | $9.87 | $4.51 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 45.1 | 0 | $15.79 | $7.22 |
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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.
Destination
South Beach, FL
Late night in South Beach on Sunday
Local time
4:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°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
7 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
2h 28m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 112.8-mile trip, as 76% of the route utilizes major roadways. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 84.6 miles on Florida's Turnpike, providing a consistent pace. While the primary roads are functional for efficient travel, the character is less about scenic detours and more about covering ground effectively. The transition between these main arteries dictates the rhythm of your drive, offering a clear path with minimal complexity.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 84.6 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 Atlantic Beach Boulevard. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8.7 miles in near Northwest 31st Avenue.
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 18 significant decision points across 112.8 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 8.7 miles (Northwest 31st Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.1 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.
Between Fort Lauderdale, FL and South Beach, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike Toll, Miami, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North and Vero Beach.
Florida's Turnpike Toll
9.7 mi in
|
~18m
Miami
9.7 mi in
|
~18m
Orlando
9.7 mi in
|
~18m
Florida's Turnpike North
9.8 mi in
|
~18m
Vero Beach
94.7 mi in
|
~1h 52m
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 2h 28m. Total distance: 112.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 84.6 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $5.92 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 South 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 8.7 miles (Northwest 31st Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.1 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at South Beach, FL before heading back.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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