Planning a trip from Lochmoor Waterway Estates to Fort Lauderdale? This 144.6-mile drive will take you about 2 hours and 51 minutes, making it a very manageable one-day adventure. The route is heavily focused on highway travel, with 92% of it on major roads like I-75 and the Port Everglades Expressway. You can expect to spend around $23 on fuel for this journey. Given its relatively short duration and highway-centric profile, this drive is perfectly suited for a single day, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. It's a straightforward trip connecting two points within Florida, offering a consistent driving experience.
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
72.3 miles from Lochmoor Waterway Estates, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 26m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
118.3 mi
2h 6m
Port Everglades Expressway
10.1 mi
11m
SR 84
2.2 mi
3m
Doctor Martin Luther King Boulevard
2.2 mi
3m
Hancock Bridge Parkway
2.1 mi
3m
Dr Martin Luther King Boulevard
1.9 mi
3m
Marina Boulevard
1.6 mi
3m
Southeast 3rd Avenue
1.5 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 118.3 mi, about 2h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lochmoor Waterway Estates, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL.
1
Start on Lakeview Boulevard
0.4 mi·1 min·Lakeview Boulevard
2
Turn right onto Orange Grove Boulevard
0.6 mi·1 min·Orange Grove Boulevard
Use the right lane.
3
Turn right onto Hancock Bridge Parkway
2.1 mi·3 min·Hancock Bridge Parkway
Use the right lane.
4
Turn right onto US 41
0.8 mi·1 min·North Cleveland Avenue
Use the right lane.
5
Continue on US 41
0.9 mi·1 min·Cleveland Avenue US 41 Caloosahatchee River Bridg
6
Turn slight right
510 ft·18 sec
Toward FL 80, FL 82: DowntownUse the right lane.
7
Continue on First Street
0.1 mi·14 sec·First Street
8
Turn right onto Monroe Street
0.2 mi·36 sec·Monroe Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Turn left onto FL 82
0.6 mi·1 min·Dr Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the left lane.
10
Continue on FL 82
1.0 mi·1 min·Doctor Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on FL 82
0.7 mi·1 min·Dr Martin Luther King Boulevard
12
Continue on FL 82
1.2 mi·1 min·Doctor Martin Luther King Boulevard
13
Continue on FL 82
0.6 mi·56 sec·Dr Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the left lane.
14
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·58 sec
Toward I 75 South: Naples
15
Merge onto I 75
118 mi·2 hr 6 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 595
10 mi·11 min·Port Everglades Expressway
Exit 19Toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Springs, Fort LauderdaleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 9CToward SR 84 East: Marina Mile BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn straight onto SR 84
0.2 mi·18 sec·SR 84
Toward I 595 East, SR 84 East
19
Keep slight left at fork onto SR 84
2.0 mi·3 min·SR 84
Toward SR 84 East
20
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 84
1.6 mi·3 min·Marina Boulevard
Toward SR 84 East: Marina Mile BoulevardUse the right lane.
21
Turn left onto Southwest 4th Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Southwest 4th Avenue
Use the left lane.
22
Turn right onto Southwest 17th Street
0.3 mi·33 sec·Southwest 17th Street
23
Continue on Southeast 17th Street
0.1 mi·25 sec·Southeast 17th Street
24
Turn left onto Southeast 3rd Avenue
1.5 mi·3 min·Southeast 3rd Avenue
Use the straight lane.
25
Turn left onto SR 842
0.2 mi·35 sec·East Broward Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
26
Arrive at destination
SR 842
Trip Plan
For this 2 hour and 51 minute drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize your day and potentially avoid heavier traffic. With a fuel cost estimated at $23, you should have ample opportunity to refuel if needed, though the longest stretch without a major road change is 118.3 miles on I-75, so plan accordingly. Since this is a single-day trip, flexibility is key; you can easily adjust your departure time. Keep an eye on signage for SR 84 as you approach Fort Lauderdale, as this is where the highway focus begins to transition into more urban driving.
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 72.3 miles from Lochmoor Waterway Estates, FL, or about 1h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 118.3 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 32 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72.3 miles or 1h 26m 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 16m
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 Lochmoor Waterway Estates, 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 Lochmoor Waterway Estates, FL
This is one driving day of about 144.6 miles and 2h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Lochmoor Waterway Estates, 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 118.3 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 140.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|Orange Grove Boulevard
Turn right onto Orange Grove Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
0.9 mi into trip|~2m in|Hancock Bridge Parkway
Turn right onto Hancock Bridge Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
9
127.9 mi into trip|~2h 26m 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...
7
138 mi into trip|~2h 37m in
Take the exit toward SR 84 East: Marina Mile Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 9C
Toward SR 84 East: Marina Mile Boulevard
7
140.4 mi into trip|~2h 42m in|SR 84 / Marina Boulevard
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 84 / Marina Boulevard toward SR 84 East: Marina Mile Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward SR 84 East: Marina Mile Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.02 one way
$46.03 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg51 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$25.04
$50.07
premium
$4.72
$26.89
$53.78
diesel
$5.61
$31.93
$63.85
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
43.4
0
$15.18
$6.94
Efficient EV
36.2
0
$12.65
$5.78
EV Truck/SUV
57.8
0
$20.24
$9.25
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 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 17, 2026
Origin
Lochmoor Waterway Estates, FL
Morning
in Lochmoor Waterway Estates on Sunday
Local time
9:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Mostly Clear
ENE 2 to 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 16 at 7:03PM EDT until April 17 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 16 at 3:00AM EDT until April 17 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Destination
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Morning
in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday
Local time
9:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Partly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers
E 7 mph19% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 16 at 7:03PM EDT until April 17 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 16 at 3:00AM EDT until April 17 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
77°F
Naples, FL
72 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
6 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 51m 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?
Prepare for a predominantly highway-focused drive, as 92% of this route utilizes major roadways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on I-75, including an uninterrupted stretch of 118.3 miles, which means you'll encounter consistent speeds and limited distractions. The main roads include I-75, Port Everglades Expressway, and SR 84, all contributing to a fast-paced journey. While the profile is highway-focused, the transition between these main roads is generally efficient, keeping you moving towards your destination with minimal interruption.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 118.3 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 0.4 miles in near Orange Grove Boulevard.
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 17 significant decision points across 144.6 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 0.4 miles (Orange Grove Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.9 miles (Hancock Bridge Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 127.9 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 51m. Total distance: 144.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 118.3 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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. 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 0.4 miles (Orange Grove Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.9 miles (Hancock Bridge Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 127.9 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
