How far is Melbourne, FL from Fort Lauderdale, FL?
The driving distance from Melbourne, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL is about 158.8 miles (255.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 138.5 miles (222.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 56m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 28m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 in Martin County, Florida
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Melbourne and Fort Lauderdale.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Melbourne and Fort Lauderdale.
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1
Start on Waverly Place
693 ft · 36 sec · Waverly Place
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2
Turn right onto East Fee Avenue
1.3 km · 2 min · East Fee Avenue
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3
Turn left onto South Babcock Street
2.8 mi · 5 min · South Babcock Street
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4
Continue on Babcock Street Northeast
3 mi · 5 min · Babcock Street Northeast
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5
Turn right onto Malabar Road
2127 ft · 40 sec · Malabar Road
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6
Take the ramp slight left toward I 95 South: Miami
892 ft · 27 sec
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7
Turn sharp left onto I 95 South: Miami
2299 ft · 59 sec
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8
Merge slight left
43.4 mi · 47 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward FL 70: Okeechobee, Fort Pierce
2396 ft · 58 sec
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10
Keep slight right to continue on FL 70 West: Okeechobee
150 m · 12 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Okeechobee Road
2745 ft · 58 sec · Okeechobee Road
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12
Take the ramp left
1090 ft · 35 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Miami, Florida's Turnpike South
2588 ft · 1 min
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14
Merge slight left onto Florida's Turnpike
84.9 mi · 1 hr 33 min · Florida's Turnpike
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Coconut Creek Parkway, Martin Luther King Boulevard
1 km · 2 min
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16
Keep slight left to continue on East Martin Luther King Boulevard, Atlantic Boulevard
77 m · 15 sec
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17
Turn left onto Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
1.4 mi · 3 min · Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
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18
Turn left onto Northwest 16th Avenue
696 ft · 25 sec · Northwest 16th Avenue
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19
Turn right onto North Andrews Avenue
3159 ft · 1 min · North Andrews Avenue
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20
Turn left onto West Atlantic Boulevard
151 m · 17 sec · West Atlantic Boulevard
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21
Take the ramp slight right toward I 95 South: Miami
2315 ft · 58 sec
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22
Merge slight left
7.2 mi · 8 min
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23
Take the exit slight right toward SR 842: Broward Boulevard, Downtown
2709 ft · 1 min
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24
Turn left onto West Broward Boulevard
1.8 mi · 4 min · West Broward Boulevard
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25
Continue on East Broward Boulevard
988 ft · 35 sec · East Broward Boulevard
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Broward Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Melbourne 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.
Florida's Turnpike
Merge slight left onto Florida's Turnpike
84.9 mi · 01h 33m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Melbourne and Mostly Sunny near Fort Lauderdale.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Melbourne to Fort Lauderdale?
The road trip is about 158.8 miles (255.5 km) and usually takes 02h 28m 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?
Port Salerno is a useful midpoint, sitting about 75.6 miles from Melbourne and 83.1 miles from Fort Lauderdale.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 138.5 miles (222.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.3 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 1:34 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.23 one way or $46.46 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Melbourne and Mostly Sunny near Fort Lauderdale.
Stop Ideas Near Port Salerno
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 Port Salerno.
West Palm Beach
Okeechobee
Delray Beach
Deerfield Beach
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Melbourne and Fort Lauderdale. Straight-line distance: 138.5 mi (222.89 km).
#1 Melbourne
The most populous city in Brevard County, Florida.
| Population | 83,376 |
| Coordinates | 28.0836300, -80.6081100 |
| Altitude | 6 |
| 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 (-80.143382, 26.122355)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 256 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 58m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 10m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 58m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $23.23 | $46.46 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $25.74 | $51.48 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $27.42 | $54.84 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $24.36 | $48.72 |
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 28, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.