This 142.3-mile drive from Fort Myers Shores to Pembroke Pines is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes. You'll primarily be on major highways, with I-75, the Port Everglades Expressway, and Florida's Turnpike forming the backbone of your journey. Given its highway-focused profile and estimated fuel cost of $23, this route offers a straightforward connection between two points within Florida. The single recommended stop suggests a brief pause is sufficient for this relatively short distance. It's a practical option for getting from Southwest Florida to the southeastern part of the state without much fuss.
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
71.2 miles from Fort Myers Shores, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
121.7 mi
2h 10m
Port Everglades Expressway
9 mi
10m
Florida's Turnpike
4.2 mi
4m
Palm Beach Boulevard
3.5 mi
5m
Southwest 64th Way
0.5 mi
1m
SR 84
0.4 mi
<1m
River Ridge Boulevard
0.3 mi
1m
Southwest 8th Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 121.7 mi, about 2h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Myers Shores, FL and Pembroke Pines, FL.
1
Start on River Ridge Boulevard
0.3 mi·1 min·River Ridge Boulevard
2
At end of road, turn right onto FL 80
3.5 mi·5 min·Palm Beach Boulevard
3
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 75 SouthUse the straight lane.
4
Merge onto I 75
122 mi·2 hr 10 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 595
9.0 mi·10 min·Port Everglades Expressway
Exit 19Toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Springs, Fort LauderdaleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Exit 8; 9A-BToward US 441: Orlando, Miami, Florida's TurnpikeUse the slight right lane.
7
Turn straight onto SR 84
0.4 mi·37 sec·SR 84
Toward SR 84 East, I 595 East, US 441: Florida's Turnpike, North Orlando, South Miami
8
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·46 sec
Exit 8Toward Florida's Turnpike, Miami South, Orlando NorthUse the straight / right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward Miami, Florida's TurnpikeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike South
11
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
4.2 mi·4 min·Florida's Turnpike
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·43 sec
Exit 49BToward SR 820 West: Pines BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto SR 820
0.2 mi·36 sec·Hollywood Boulevard
14
Turn left onto Southwest 64th Way
0.5 mi·1 min·Southwest 64th Way
Use the left lane.
15
Continue on Southwest 8th Street
0.2 mi·56 sec·Southwest 8th Street
16
Arrive at destination
Southwest 8th Street
Trip Plan
Given this drive's duration of under three hours, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience, though an early start will help you avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach Pembroke Pines. With only one stop recommended, you can plan a single, efficient break. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $23 for the 142.3 miles. A practical tip for this route: since the longest stretch is over 120 miles on I-75, ensure you fuel up before embarking on that segment to avoid any concerns about finding services mid-way.
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 71.2 miles from Fort Myers Shores, FL, or about 1h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 121.7 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 31 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71.2 miles or 1h 19m 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 Pembroke Pines, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fort Myers Shores, 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 Myers Shores, FL
This is one driving day of about 142.3 miles and 2h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Fort Myers Shores, 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 121.7 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 126 and 140.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
126 mi into trip|~2h 18m 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...
8
135.1 mi into trip|~2h 28m in
Take the exit toward US 441: Orlando, Miami, Florida's Turnpike
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 8; 9A-B
Toward US 441: Orlando, Miami, Florida's Turnpi...
7
135.6 mi into trip|~2h 29m in
Take the ramp toward Florida's Turnpike, Miami South, Orlando North
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 8
Toward Florida's Turnpike, Miami South, Orlando...
8
136 mi into trip|~2h 30m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike
7
140.9 mi into trip|~2h 36m in
Take the exit toward SR 820 West: Pines Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 49B
Toward SR 820 West: Pines Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.65 one way
$45.30 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg50 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$24.64
$49.28
premium
$4.72
$26.46
$52.92
diesel
$5.61
$31.42
$62.84
Estimated Tolls: $0.30
Florida's Turnpike
(4.2 mi)$0.30
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
$23
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
42.7
0
$14.94
$6.83
Efficient EV
35.6
0
$12.45
$5.69
EV Truck/SUV
56.9
0
$19.92
$9.11
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 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
Fort Myers Shores, FL
Morning
in Fort Myers Shores on Sunday
Local time
6:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Pembroke Pines, FL
Morning
in Pembroke Pines on Sunday
Local time
6:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Naples, FL
71 mi in
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
5 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 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?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 95% of the drive taking place on interstates and expressways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 121.7 miles on I-75, indicating long, consistent periods of driving. This means you'll be moving at higher speeds for the majority of your trip, with minimal time spent on slower, local roads. The character of the drive is consistent, maintaining a high-speed transit feel rather than shifting dramatically between different types of roadways.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 121.7 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 126 miles in near I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway.
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 13 significant decision points across 142.3 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 126 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 135.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 135.6 miles: 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 Fort Myers Shores, FL and Pembroke Pines, FL, road signs point toward Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Florida's Turnpike.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 40m. Total distance: 142.3 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 (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 121.7 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.30 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 Pembroke Pines, 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 126 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 135.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 135.6 miles: 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 Pembroke Pines, FL before heading back.
