How Far Is Fort Lauderdale From Miami

Fort Lauderdale and Miami are both major vacation destinations in South Florida, with gorgeous beaches, vibrant cultural events, and great weather. While they might not look too far away from one another on a map, Fort  and Miami really are two completely separate worlds that both offer unique attractions and opportunities.

If you’re traveling to Fort Lauderdale, you might be wondering whether it’s reasonable to add a day or weekend trip to Miami to your vacation itinerary. 

How far is Fort Lauderdale from Miami, anyway?

Luckily, there are a number of different transportation options when it comes to traveling between these two South Florida cities. Whether you need quick transportation between the airports or you’re hoping for a scenic drive along the gorgeous Florida Atlantic coast, there are a number of modes of transportation that will get the job done.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at everything you need to know about getting from Fort  to Miami (and vice versa.)

How Far Is Fort Lauderdale From Miami?

The trip from Fort Lauderdale to Miami is just barely over 30 miles, but how long the trip takes you will depend on your mode of transportation and the time of day you travel. At certain times of day, the traffic can be quite congested on the trip between Miami and Fort Lauderdale, so if you’re hoping to reduce your time in transit you’ll want to plan accordingly.

How Far Is the Miami Airport From the Fort Lauderdale Airport?

Both Miami International Airport and the Fort Lauderdale airport are relatively close to each city’s downtown. If you take I-95 North from Miami to Fort , the airports are less than 30 miles away from one another (28.9 miles, to be exact.)

How to Get From Fort Lauderdale to Miami

The trip between Fort Lauderdale and Miami can take between thirty minutes and two hours depending on how you travel (and assuming you aren’t planning on walking or biking.) Here are some of the best options when it comes to transportation between these two South Florida cities.

Rent a Car and Drive

It’s easy to get from Fort  to Miami by car, as it’s only a 30-mile drive straight down I-95. Taking the interstate is typically the fastest route but this can vary greatly depending on traffic. You can also take the Florida Turnpike for a portion of the trip south before reconnecting with I-95 around Miami Gardens.

If you’d like your trip between Miami and Fort Lauderdale to be more scenic, you can also take A1A which runs along the beaches of Miami Beach, Bal Harbour, Sunny Isles Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Hollywood. This route lets you easily access all of the oceanfront attractions and beach resorts.

Since traffic can be heavy at times, it’s a good idea to schedule at least an hour for your drive between Fort Lauderdale and Miami if you’re taking I-95. During rush hour, the trip can take as long as two hours. If you have to reach your destination by a specific time, it’s a good idea to use the Google Maps traffic feature to get a sense of how much time you should allow for the drive.

Commute Using the Tri-Rail Transport

Another way to get from Fort Lauderdale to Miami is to take the commuter rail known as Tri-Rail. Running between Miami International Airport and Palm Beach, Tri-Rail makes a number of stops including the Fort airport.

If you are traveling from the Fort Lauderdale airport to the Miami airport, you can access the Tri-Rail by taking a shuttle from the ground transportation level. This will take you to the Tri-Rail station where you can make the rest of the journey via commuter rail.

For one person to make a one-way trip from Fort  to the Miami airport it costs about $3.75. You can calculate your fare using this handy guide. There are six stops between Ft. Lauderdale and Miami and it typically takes less than an hour to arrive at Miami International Airport. Once you arrive, you can take public transportation, a cab, a rental car, a Lyft, or an Uber to your final Miami destination.

To head back to the Fort  airport on the Tri-Rail, you can hop on the commuter rail at the Miami International Airport. From there, you’ll ride north and get off at the Fort /Hollywood International Airport Tri-Rail Station at Dania Beach. From there, you can take the complimentary shuttle from the Tri-Rail Station to the Fort Lauderdale Airport.

Ride on the Recently Reopened Brightline High-Speed Rail

Another convenient way to travel between here and Miami is to take the Brightline High-Speed Rail. South Florida’s higher-speed passenger train service finally resumed service in November 2021 after being closed for twenty months due to the pandemic.

Time to travel from Fort Lauderdale to Miami on the Brightline is 35 minutes.  Find out more about ticket packages here.  They offer a Smart and Premium package, with the Premium Package costing only an additional $10 for First Class Service.  Compare the two packages here. By the way, the Brightline is pet friendly!

Brightline is an inner-city rail route that stretches between Miami and West Palm Beach. The station in here is located near the Museum of Discovery and Science right downtown. To get from the airport to the Brightline station, you can take a cab, an Uber or Lyft, or use public transportation.

Take an Uber or Lyft Between Fort Lauderdale and Miami

Another option for making the trip between Fort Lauderdale and Miami is to take an Uber or Lyft. Using a ride-sharing app in order to travel between these two Florida cities is certainly convenient, but it is also quite a bit more expensive than the other options.

As you likely know, the cost of fare is variable and depends on a number of different factors. According to fareestimate.com, the average cost of taking an Uber from Fort Lauderdale Airport to Miami is about $40 to $54 dollars, while the average cost of taking the same trip using Lyft is between $40 and $45.  You have to factor in that they are slaves to South Florida traffic like every other driver, so your experience for the cost just might not add up compared to some of the other options listed here.

Are You Making the Trip From Fort Lauderdale to Miami?

Now that you know the answer to “how far is Fort Lauderdale from Miami?” you are better equipped to make the journey between these two coastal cities. The transportation options range from inexpensive (a few bucks to take the Tri-Rail) and pretty pricey (around $50 to take an Uber.) The length of the trip from Fort Lauderdale to Miami can take anywhere from thirty minutes to two hours depending on how you travel and if you’re competing with rush hour traffic.

Are you making the trip from Fort Lauderdale to Miami? Be sure to check out the rest of our blog for more information on all things Miami!