How far is Merritt Island, FL from Fort Lauderdale, FL?
The driving distance from Merritt Island, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL is about 201.1 miles (323.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 11m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 170.1 miles (273.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 22m 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 11m.
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 in St.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Merritt Island and Fort Lauderdale.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Merritt Island and Fort Lauderdale.
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1
Start on Roberts Road
1.1 km · 4 min · Roberts Road
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2
Turn right onto Kennedy Parkway North
3.8 mi · 6 min · Kennedy Parkway North
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3
Continue on North Courtenay Parkway
6.9 mi · 11 min · North Courtenay Parkway
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4
Take the ramp right toward FL 528 West
1299 ft · 32 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Bennett Causeway
2.7 mi · 4 min · Bennett Causeway
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6
Continue on Beachline Expressway
1 km · 53 sec · Beachline Expressway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward Clearlake Road
1718 ft · 59 sec
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8
Turn straight onto East Industry Road
1754 ft · 37 sec · East Industry Road
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9
Turn right
1082 ft · 23 sec
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10
Continue straight
2.6 mi · 4 min
-
11
Continue straight
809 ft · 20 sec
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12
Take the ramp slight left toward I 95 South: Miami
1445 ft · 36 sec
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13
Merge slight left
72.9 mi · 1 hr 18 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward FL 70: Okeechobee, Fort Pierce
2396 ft · 58 sec
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15
Keep slight right to continue on FL 70 West: Okeechobee
150 m · 12 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto Okeechobee Road
2745 ft · 58 sec · Okeechobee Road
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17
Take the ramp left
1090 ft · 35 sec
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18
Keep slight left to continue on Miami, Florida's Turnpike South
2588 ft · 1 min
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19
Merge slight left onto Florida's Turnpike
84.9 mi · 1 hr 33 min · Florida's Turnpike
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20
Take the exit slight right toward Coconut Creek Parkway, Martin Luther King Boulevard
1 km · 2 min
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21
Keep slight left to continue on East Martin Luther King Boulevard, Atlantic Boulevard
77 m · 15 sec
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22
Turn left onto Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
1.4 mi · 3 min · Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
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23
Turn left onto Northwest 16th Avenue
696 ft · 25 sec · Northwest 16th Avenue
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24
Turn right onto North Andrews Avenue
3159 ft · 1 min · North Andrews Avenue
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25
Turn left onto West Atlantic Boulevard
151 m · 17 sec · West Atlantic Boulevard
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26
Take the ramp slight right toward I 95 South: Miami
2315 ft · 58 sec
-
27
Merge slight left
7.2 mi · 8 min
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28
Take the exit slight right toward SR 842: Broward Boulevard, Downtown
2709 ft · 1 min
-
29
Turn left onto West Broward Boulevard
1.8 mi · 4 min · West Broward Boulevard
-
30
Continue on East Broward Boulevard
988 ft · 35 sec · East Broward Boulevard
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Broward Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Merritt Island 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 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.
Mostly Cloudy leaving Merritt Island and Partly Sunny then 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 Merritt Island to Fort Lauderdale?
The road trip is about 201.1 miles (323.7 km) and usually takes 03h 11m 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?
Indian River Estates is a useful midpoint, sitting about 96 miles from Merritt Island and 105.1 miles from Fort Lauderdale.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 170.1 miles (273.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 31 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 10:38 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.45 one way or $58.90 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 63.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Merritt Island and Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Fort Lauderdale.
Stop Ideas Near Indian River Estates
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 Indian River Estates.
Okeechobee
West Palm Beach
Delray Beach
Sebring
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Merritt Island and Fort Lauderdale. Straight-line distance: 170.11 mi (273.77 km).
#1 Merritt Island
Census designated place in Brevard County, Florida, United States
| Population | 34,743 |
| Coordinates | 28.5391700, -80.6720000 |
| Altitude | 1 |
| 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: 324 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 01m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 01m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 52m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $29.45 | $58.90 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $32.63 | $65.26 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $34.76 | $69.52 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $30.88 | $61.77 |
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 · Jun 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.