Pompano Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Lauderdale Lakes, FL to Port Saint Lucie, FL
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 41m
Distance
85.6 mi
138 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 34m
★
6 AM
1h 42m
8 AM
1h 57m
10 AM
1h 47m
12 PM
1h 46m
3 PM
1h 48m
5 PM
1h 56m
8 PM
1h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lauderdale Lakes, FL
Matt Fitz Gibaud
Trip Overview
Lauderdale Lakes to Port Saint Lucie is 85.6 miles and takes about 1h 41m via Florida's Turnpike and State Road 7, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip primarily stays within Florida, moving north from the South Florida region. Given the short distance and high highway percentage, it's a straightforward drive perfect for a single-day excursion. You’ll spend most of your time on the Turnpike, so expect a consistent driving experience with minimal navigation required.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
42.8 miles from Lauderdale Lakes, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Florida's Turnpike | 79.8 mi | 1h 28m |
| Southeast Airoso Boulevard | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| State Road 7 | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Southwest Port Saint Lucie Boulevard | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| West Commercial Boulevard | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Northwest 43rd Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Northwest 33rd Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Northwest 36th Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 79.8 mi, about 1h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lauderdale Lakes, FL and Port Saint Lucie, FL.
1
Start on Northwest 44th Terrace
219 ft
·
11 sec
·
Northwest 44th Terrace
2
Turn right onto Northwest 33rd Street
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
Northwest 33rd Street
3
Continue on Northwest 43rd Avenue
0.2 mi
·
55 sec
·
Northwest 43rd Avenue
4
Turn right onto Northwest 36th Street
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
Northwest 36th Street
5
Turn slight left onto Northwest 37th Street
442 ft
·
21 sec
·
Northwest 37th Street
6
Turn left onto US 441
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
State Road 7
7
Turn left onto SR 870
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
West Commercial Boulevard
Use the left lane.
8
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Toward Miami, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Toward Florida's Turnpike North, Orlando
Use the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
80 mi
·
1 hr 28 min
·
Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 142
Toward Port Saint Lucie
Use the right lane.
12
Continue on Southwest Bayshore Boulevard
483 ft
·
15 sec
·
Southwest Bayshore Boulevard
13
Turn right onto FL 716
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Southwest Port Saint Lucie Boulevard
Use the right lane.
14
Turn left onto CR 615
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Southeast Airoso Boulevard
Use the left / uturn lanes.
15
Turn left onto Southwest Carter Avenue
215 ft
·
9 sec
·
Southwest Carter Avenue
16
Arrive at destination
Southwest Carter Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a short, single-day trip of just over an hour and a half, you have plenty of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the late morning could help you avoid the worst of rush hour traffic in the Fort Lauderdale area. With only 85.6 miles, you likely won't need many stops, but there are service areas along Florida's Turnpike if you need fuel or a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as the longest stretch is nearly 80 miles, and it’s always good to top off before heading onto that segment.
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 42.8 miles from Lauderdale Lakes, FL, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79.8 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 19 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.8 miles or 51m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Port Saint Lucie, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lauderdale Lakes, FL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Lauderdale Lakes, FL
This is one driving day of about 85.6 miles and 1h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Lauderdale Lakes, 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 79.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
43 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 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 42.8 miles from Lauderdale Lakes, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Nearby Places
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
West Palm Beach Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Port Saint Lucie - Fort Pierce Service Plaza
1.5 mi from route
Riverbend Park
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
1.4 mi from route
~3 min detour
mile 55.1
Jupiter, Florida
Hours: 7 am–7 pm
+15617411359
Visit websiteMorikami Museum and Japanese Gardens
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, short detour
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Moderately
mile 18.4
Delray Beach, Florida
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+15614950233
Visit websiteIndian Creek Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
mile 55.1
Jupiter, Florida
Hours: 7 am–7 pm
+15617412400
Visit websiteEscape Room PSL
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
2.5 mi from route
~6 min detour
mile 85.6
Port St. Lucie, Florida
Hours: 4–10:30 pm
+17726266655
Visit websiteJoseph C. Carter Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~9 min detour
3.5 mi from route
~9 min detour
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Hours: 6 am–9 pm
+19548285411
Visit websiteStuart Heritage Museum
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~10 min detour
4.1 mi from route
~10 min detour
mile 73.4
Stuart, Florida
Hours: 10 am–3 pm
+17722204600
Visit websiteWreck It Ft Laudy
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~11 min detour
4.5 mi from route
~11 min detour
Oakland Park, Florida
Peaceful Waters Sanctuary
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour
4.6 mi from route
~12 min detour
mile 30.6
Wellington, Florida
Hours: 8 am–8 pm
+15617914005
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 105 decision points cluster between mile 2.1 and 84 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.1 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the exit toward Miami, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Miami, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike
8
2.2 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Florida's Turnpike North, Orlando
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Florida's Turnpike North, Orlando
7
82.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 34m in
Take the exit toward Port Saint Lucie
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 142
Toward Port Saint Lucie
6
83.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 37m in
|
FL 716 / Southwest Port Saint Lucie Boulevard
Turn right onto FL 716 / Southwest Port Saint Lucie Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
84 mi into trip
|
~1h 38m in
|
CR 615 / Southeast Airoso Boulevard
Turn left onto CR 615 / Southeast Airoso Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / uturn lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.63 one way
$27.25 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $14.82 | $29.64 |
| premium | $4.72 | $15.92 | $31.83 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.90 | $37.80 |
Estimated Tolls: $5.58
Florida's Turnpike
(79.8 mi)
$5.58
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
$14
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.7 | 0 | $8.99 | $4.11 |
| Efficient EV | 21.4 | 0 | $7.49 | $3.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34.2 | 0 | $11.98 | $5.48 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Origin
Lauderdale Lakes, FL
Morning in Lauderdale Lakes on Sunday
Local time
6:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Port Saint Lucie, FL
Morning in Port Saint Lucie on Sunday
Local time
6:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°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
14 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 41m 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?
This route is mostly highway, with 93% of the drive on high-speed roads. You'll have a long stretch of 79.8 miles on Florida's Turnpike before transitioning to surface roads like Southeast Airoso Boulevard and State Road 7. Expect frequent exits on the Turnpike for much of the longest stretch, indicating a busy corridor.
93% 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: 79.8 mi on Florida's Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and Southeast Airoso Boulevard. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.1 miles in.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 85.6 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 82.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 41m. Total distance: 85.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 79.8 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $5.58 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 Port Saint Lucie, FL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 82.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Port Saint Lucie, 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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