Connecting Fort Pierce to Fort Lauderdale, this 104-mile journey takes approximately 2 hours and 6 minutes under standard conditions. As a highway-focused drive, it serves perfectly as a straightforward day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget roughly $17 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Florida locations. Because the route relies heavily on major thoroughfares, your progress remains steady and predictable throughout the transit. Whether you are traveling for business or a quick change of scenery, this direct path offers a hassle-free transition between the two coastal hubs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
52 miles from Fort Pierce, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
84.9 mi
1h 32m
I 95
7.2 mi
8m
Okeechobee Road
4.2 mi
7m
West Broward Boulevard
1.8 mi
3m
Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
1.4 mi
2m
Delaware Avenue
0.9 mi
1m
North Andrews Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
US Highway 1
0.3 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 84.9 mi, about 1h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Pierce, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL.
1
Start on this road
85 ft·8 sec·this road
2
Turn uturn onto US 1
254 ft·18 sec·US Highway 1
3
Continue on US 1
0.3 mi·53 sec·US Highway 1
4
Turn right onto CR 770
0.9 mi·1 min·Delaware Avenue
5
Continue on CR 770
4.2 mi·7 min·Okeechobee Road
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·35 sec
Use the left / uturn lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike SouthUse the left lane.
8
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
85 mi·1 hr 32 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 67Toward Coconut Creek Parkway, Martin Luther King BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
251 ft·15 sec
Toward East Martin Luther King Boulevard, Atlantic Boulevard
11
Turn left onto Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
1.4 mi·2 min·Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
12
Turn left onto Northwest 16th Avenue
0.1 mi·25 sec·Northwest 16th Avenue
13
Turn right onto North Andrews Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·North Andrews Avenue
14
Turn left onto SR 814
497 ft·16 sec·West Atlantic Boulevard
Use the left lane.
15
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·58 sec
Toward I 95 South: Miami
16
Merge onto I 95
7.2 mi·8 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 27Toward SR 842: Broward Boulevard, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn left onto SR 842
1.8 mi·3 min·West Broward Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on SR 842
0.2 mi·35 sec·East Broward Boulevard
Use the left lane.
20
Arrive at destination
SR 842
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip with no mandatory stops, you have significant flexibility in your departure time. However, be aware that traffic patterns on major Florida arteries can shift quickly, so checking road conditions before you head out is a smart move. Because the route is dominated by a long 84.9-mile stretch on the Turnpike, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you merge onto the highway to avoid unnecessary deviations. With the total fuel cost sitting around $17, it is easy to factor this trip into a modest travel budget. Use the lack of required stops to your advantage by planning your own breaks whenever you feel the need to stretch your legs.
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 52 miles from Fort Pierce, FL, or about 1h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.9 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 23 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52 miles or 1h 2m 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 38m
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 Fort Pierce, 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 Pierce, FL
This is one driving day of about 104 miles and 2h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Fort Pierce, 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 84.9 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 101.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
0 mi into trip|~0m in|US 1 / US Highway 1
Turn uturn onto US 1 / US Highway 1
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
8
5.7 mi into trip|~11m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike South
8
91 mi into trip|~1h 45m in
Take the exit toward Coconut Creek Parkway, Martin Luther King Boulevard
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 67
Toward Coconut Creek Parkway, Martin Luther Kin...
6
91.6 mi into trip|~1h 46m in
Keep slight left at fork toward East Martin Luther King Boulevard, Atlantic Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward East Martin Luther King Boulevard, Atlan...
8
101.6 mi into trip|~2h in
Take the exit toward SR 842: Broward Boulevard, Downtown
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.
Exit 27
Toward SR 842: Broward Boulevard, Downtown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.55 one way
$33.11 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg36 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$18.01
$36.02
premium
$4.72
$19.34
$38.68
diesel
$5.61
$22.96
$45.92
Estimated Tolls: $5.94
Florida's Turnpike
(84.9 mi)$5.94
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
$17
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
31.2
0
$10.92
$4.99
Efficient EV
26
0
$9.10
$4.16
EV Truck/SUV
41.6
0
$14.56
$6.66
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 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 18, 2026
Origin
Fort Pierce, FL
Morning
in Fort Pierce on Sunday
Local time
10:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Morning
in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday
Local time
10:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Partly Cloudy
E 6 mph0% 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
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 6m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 high-speed experience, as 89% of this trip takes place on major highways. You will spend the bulk of your time on Florida's Turnpike, which accounts for an impressive 84.9-mile uninterrupted stretch. While you may also utilize I-95 or Okeechobee Road depending on your specific start and end points, the character of the drive remains consistently focused on efficient transit rather than winding backroads. Prepare for a modern interstate atmosphere that prioritizes speed and reliability over leisurely sightseeing. Behind the wheel, this means you can maintain a consistent pace as you move south through the Florida landscape.
89% 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: 84.9 mi on Florida's Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 1 / US Highway 1.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 104 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: near the start (US 1 / US Highway 1): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 5.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 91 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
21 ft2 ft
Total Climb
7 ft
Total Descent
21 ft
Highest Point
21 ft
~7.4 mi in
Elevation Range
19 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Fort Pierce, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL, road signs point toward Miami and Florida's Turnpike South.
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).
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 6m. Total distance: 104 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 84.9 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $5.94 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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 1 / US Highway 1): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 5.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 91 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Fort Lauderdale, FL before heading back.
