How far is Fort Lauderdale, FL from Lake Sarasota, FL?
The driving distance from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Lake Sarasota, FL is about 206.2 miles (331.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 47m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 163 miles (262.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 35m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 03h 47m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Census designated place
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fort Lauderdale and Lake Sarasota.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Lauderdale and Lake Sarasota.
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1
Start on East Broward Boulevard
1.6 mi · 3 min · East Broward Boulevard
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2
Take the ramp slight left toward I 95 South: Miami
885 ft · 24 sec
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3
Keep slight right to continue on I 595: Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale - Hollywood International Airport
2.2 mi · 4 min
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4
Keep slight right to continue on I 595 West
1 mi · 2 min
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5
Merge slight left onto Port Everglades Expressway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Port Everglades Expressway
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6
Keep slight right to continue on Port Everglades Expressway
10.1 mi · 12 min · Port Everglades Expressway
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7
Merge slight left
188.5 mi · 3 hr 22 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward FL 758: Sarasota
1694 ft · 41 sec
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9
Keep slight right
834 ft · 20 sec
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10
Turn straight onto Bee Ridge Road
1292 ft · 29 sec · Bee Ridge Road
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11
Turn right onto Mauna Loa Boulevard
1948 ft · 55 sec · Mauna Loa Boulevard
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12
Turn right onto Samoa Drive
85 m · 18 sec · Samoa Drive
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13
Turn left onto Timor Place
139 m · 20 sec · Timor Place
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Timor Place
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fort Lauderdale and Lake Sarasota.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Port Everglades Expressway
Merge slight left
188 mi · 03h 22m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Fort Lauderdale and Sunny near Lake Sarasota.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fort Lauderdale to Lake Sarasota?
The road trip is about 206.2 miles (331.8 km) and usually takes 03h 47m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Golden Gate is a useful midpoint, sitting about 103.1 miles from Fort Lauderdale and 103.1 miles from Lake Sarasota.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 163 miles (262.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 43.2 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:24 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.20 one way or $60.39 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 64.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Fort Lauderdale and Sunny near Lake Sarasota.
Stop Ideas Near Golden Gate
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Golden Gate.
Fort Myers, Florida
Port Charlotte, Florida
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fort Lauderdale and Lake Sarasota. Straight-line distance: 163.05 mi (262.41 km).
#1 Fort Lauderdale
The second most populous city in Broward County, Florida.
| Population | 184,245 |
| Coordinates | 26.1223100, -80.1433800 |
| Altitude | 1 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lake Sarasota
Census-designated place in Sarasota County, Florida
| Population | 4,679 |
| Coordinates | 27.2925500, -82.4376000 |
| Altitude | 9 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lake Sarasota (-82.4376, 27.29255)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 332 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 52m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 09m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 07m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 56m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 34m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $30.20 | $60.39 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $33.46 | $66.92 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $35.64 | $71.29 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $31.67 | $63.34 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Florida · May 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.