How far is Lakes by the Bay, FL from Fort Lauderdale, FL?

The driving distance from Lakes by the Bay, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL is about 54.6 miles (87.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 03m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 39.6 miles (63.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 07m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
54.53 mi
01h 03m
Flight
39.65 mi
63.81 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Lakes by the Bay.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
39.65 mi
Kilometers
63.81 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
54.53 mi
Kilometers
87.76 km
Drive Time
01h 03m

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 01h 03m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Fort Lauderdale
Sun, Apr 19, 8:11 AM EDT
Return by in Lakes by the Bay
Sun, Apr 19, 9:15 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lakes by the Bay
2026-04-19T07:08
Arrive Fort Lauderdale
Sun, Apr 19, 8:11 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 03m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:04 AM to 11:04 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:22 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Lakes by the Bay
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
El Portal
FL

City in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States of America

From Lakes by the Bay
22.8 mi
00h 31m
To Fort Lauderdale
31.8 mi
00h 31m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
87°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 8 mph SE
Destination
85°F
Sunday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 8 mph SE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Lakes by the Bay and Fort Lauderdale.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lakes by the Bay and Fort Lauderdale.

  1. 1

    Start on Southwest 210th Street

    81 m · 17 sec · Southwest 210th Street

  2. 2

    Turn slight left onto Southwest 210th Street

    57 m · 12 sec · Southwest 210th Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Southwest 85th Avenue

    1 km · 2 min · Southwest 85th Avenue

  4. 4

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Old Cutler Road

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Old Cutler Road

  5. 5

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Old Cutler Road

    29 m · 2 sec · Old Cutler Road

  6. 6

    Exit the roundabout onto Old Cutler Road

    2.2 mi · 4 min · Old Cutler Road

  7. 7

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Old Cutler Road

    26 m · 2 sec · Old Cutler Road

  8. 8

    Exit the roundabout onto Old Cutler Road

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Old Cutler Road

  9. 9

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Old Cutler Road

    29 m · 2 sec · Old Cutler Road

  10. 10

    Exit the roundabout onto Old Cutler Road

    142 m · 10 sec · Old Cutler Road

  11. 11

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Southwest 67th Avenue

    59 m · 4 sec · Southwest 67th Avenue

  12. 12

    Exit the roundabout onto Southwest 67th Avenue

    3 mi · 7 min · Southwest 67th Avenue

  13. 13

    Continue on Ludlam Road

    2354 ft · 1 min · Ludlam Road

  14. 14

    Turn right onto South Dixie Highway

    6.8 mi · 12 min · South Dixie Highway

  15. 15

    Keep slight left to continue on I 95 North

    4.4 mi · 6 min

  16. 16

    Keep slight right

    22.1 mi · 27 min

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward SR 842: Broward Boulevard, Downtown

    1.6 km · 2 min

  18. 18

    Keep slight right to continue on SR 842 East

    142 m · 11 sec

  19. 19

    Turn right onto West Broward Boulevard

    1.7 mi · 4 min · West Broward Boulevard

  20. 20

    Continue on East Broward Boulevard

    988 ft · 35 sec · East Broward Boulevard

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Broward Boulevard

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Lakes by the Bay and Fort Lauderdale.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
21 steps
13 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
0 merges, 9 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
38.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 95 North
26.5 mi · 49%
South Dixie Highway
6.78 mi · 12%
Old Cutler Road
5.05 mi · 9%
Southwest 67th Avenue
3.07 mi · 6%
West Broward Boulevard
1.68 mi · 3%
SR 842
0.98 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

I 95 North

Keep slight right

22.1 mi · 00h 27m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 03m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+15 mi
39.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
El Portal
00h 31m from Lakes by the Bay
Leave By
4:22 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Lakes by the Bay and Partly Sunny near Fort Lauderdale.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Lakes by the Bay to Fort Lauderdale?

The road trip is about 54.6 miles (87.8 km) and usually takes 01h 03m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

El Portal is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22.8 miles from Lakes by the Bay and 31.8 miles from Fort Lauderdale.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 39.6 miles (63.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 15 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:22 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.96 one way or $15.93 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Lakes by the Bay and Partly Sunny near Fort Lauderdale.

Stop Ideas Near El Portal

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around El Portal and the surrounding midpoint area.
Aventura Mall
Food stop 9.1 mi away

Aventura Mall

Aventura , FL
19501 Biscayne Blvd, Aventura, FL 33180, United States
Rating 4.6/5 30,777 reviews Shopping mall,Restaurant
Miami Beach Parking Garage
Scenic stop 5.4 mi away

Miami Beach Parking Garage

Miami Beach , FL
640 17th St, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Rating 4.4/5 357 reviews Parking garage
Miramar Town Center
Meeting point 11.7 mi away

Miramar Town Center

Miramar , FL
2300 Civic Center Pl, Miramar, FL 33025
Rating 4.4/5 59 reviews Shopping mall,City Hall
Juana’s Latin Sports Bar
Nearby stop 11.7 mi away

Juana’s Latin Sports Bar

Miramar , FL
11602 City Hall Promenade, Miramar, FL 33025
Rating 4.2/5 1,621 reviews Sports bar,Karaoke bar,Live music venue

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to El Portal.

RAIL

Miami Intermodal Center

7 mi away
8303 NW 37th Ave
RAIL

Hollywood

17 mi away
3001 Hollywood Blvd
RAIL

Fort Lauderdale

29 mi away
200 S.W. 21 Terrace
RAIL

Deerfield Beach

52 mi away
1300 W. Hillsboro Blvd

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lakes by the Bay and Fort Lauderdale. Straight-line distance: 39.65 mi (63.81 km).

Lakes by the Bay

#1 Lakes by the Bay

Census-designated place in Miami-Dade County, Florida

Population11,422
Coordinates25.5723300, -80.3253300
Altitude1
CountryUnited States
Fort Lauderdale

#2 Fort Lauderdale

The second most populous city in Broward County, Florida.

Population184,245
Coordinates26.1223100, -80.1433800
Altitude1
CountryUnited States
Start: Southwest 210th Street (-80.325331, 25.572405)
End: East Broward Boulevard (-80.143384, 26.122355)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 88 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 49m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 21m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 05m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 54m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 46m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 40m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.92 gal
7.28 L · about $7.96
Round trip
$15.93
3.84 gal · 14.56 L
Estimated CO2
17.1 kg one way
Round trip: 34.1 kg / 75 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.15 $7.96 $15.93
Mid-grade $4.60 $8.82 $17.65
Premium $4.90 $9.40 $18.80
Diesel $4.35 $8.35 $16.70

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 · Apr 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Lakes by the Bay and Fort Lauderdale. The current time is 07:08:03.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.