How far is Lake Sarasota, FL from Fort Lauderdale, FL?
The driving distance from Lake Sarasota, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL is about 207.2 miles (333.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 07m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 163 miles (262.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 15m 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 07m.
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
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lake Sarasota and Fort Lauderdale.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Sarasota and Fort Lauderdale.
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1
Start on Timor Place
139 m · 22 sec · Timor Place
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2
Turn right onto Samoa Drive
85 m · 18 sec · Samoa Drive
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3
Turn left onto Mauna Loa Boulevard
1949 ft · 56 sec · Mauna Loa Boulevard
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4
Turn left onto Bee Ridge Road
2942 ft · 1 min · Bee Ridge Road
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5
Take the ramp slight left toward I 75 South: Naples
1925 ft · 51 sec
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6
Merge slight left
7 mi · 8 min
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7
Keep slight left
181.3 mi · 3 hr 14 min
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Port Everglades Expressway
10.1 mi · 12 min · Port Everglades Expressway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward SR 84 East: Marina Mile Boulevard
1302 ft · 32 sec
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10
Turn straight onto I 595 East, SR 84 East
991 ft · 19 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on SR 84 East
2 mi · 4 min
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Marina Boulevard
1.6 mi · 3 min · Marina Boulevard
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13
Turn left onto Southwest 4th Avenue
2736 ft · 1 min · Southwest 4th Avenue
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14
Turn right onto Southwest 17th Street
1594 ft · 34 sec · Southwest 17th Street
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15
Continue on Southeast 17th Street
780 ft · 25 sec · Southeast 17th Street
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16
Turn left onto Southeast 3rd Avenue
1.5 mi · 3 min · Southeast 3rd Avenue
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17
Turn left onto East Broward Boulevard
988 ft · 35 sec · East Broward Boulevard
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Broward Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake Sarasota and Fort Lauderdale.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 75 South
Keep slight left
181 mi · 03h 14m
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.
Sunny leaving Lake Sarasota and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Fort Lauderdale.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lake Sarasota to Fort Lauderdale?
The road trip is about 207.2 miles (333.4 km) and usually takes 03h 07m 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 103.3 miles from Lake Sarasota and 103.9 miles from Fort Lauderdale.
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 44.2 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 10:44 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.32 one way or $60.64 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 65 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Lake Sarasota and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Fort Lauderdale.
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 Lake Sarasota and Fort Lauderdale. Straight-line distance: 163.05 mi (262.41 km).
#1 Lake Sarasota
Census-designated place in Sarasota County, Florida
| Population | 4,679 |
| Coordinates | 27.2925500, -82.4376000 |
| Altitude | 9 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Fort Lauderdale
The second most populous city in Broward County, Florida.
| Population | 184,245 |
| Coordinates | 26.1223100, -80.1433800 |
| Altitude | 1 |
| Country | United States |
End: East Broward Boulevard (-80.143384, 26.122355)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 333 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 54m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 10m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 08m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 27m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 57m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 35m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $30.32 | $60.64 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $33.60 | $67.19 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $35.79 | $71.58 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $31.80 | $63.60 |
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.