Fort Lauderdale
300+ miles of canals, the Las Olas dining scene, and a beach quieter than South Beach.
Distance
30 mi
Drive time
~45 min
Route
I-95 N to Exit 29 (Sunrise Blvd) or Exit 27 (Broward Blvd / Las Olas)
Best window
December–April for ideal beach weather
About Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale is the next major beach city north of Miami — about 30 miles and 35–50 minutes up I-95. Nicknamed the 'Venice of America' for its 300+ miles of inland canals, it pairs a clean 7-mile public beach with Las Olas Boulevard's dining and gallery strip and the Riverwalk along the New River. It's a calmer, family-friendlier counterpoint to South Beach — great for groups who want the ocean without Miami Beach's late-night intensity. A van keeps everyone together between FLL airport, Port Everglades cruise terminals, and the beach.
Why it's worth the drive
- 7 miles of lifeguarded public beach with the famous low brick beach wall along A1A — calmer surf and fewer crowds than South Beach.
- Las Olas Boulevard — 1.3-mile boutique-and-restaurant strip linking downtown to the beach.
- Water-taxi network on the Intracoastal — hop-on/hop-off boats are a sightseeing tour and transit in one.
- Port Everglades — second-busiest cruise port in the world; perfect 'fly into FLL, van to the pier' pattern for group cruises.
Things to do
What groups actually do at Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale Beach (A1A)
Free public beach with showers, lifeguards, and the iconic wavy white wall along Atlantic Blvd.
Las Olas Boulevard
Walk from Andrews Ave east to the beach — galleries, sidewalk cafés, and the historic Riverside Hotel.
Water Taxi Fort Lauderdale
Hop-on/hop-off boat tour and transport — 10 stops including Las Olas, the beach, and Galleria Mall.
Hugh Taylor Birch State Park
180-acre coastal hammock park between the beach and the Intracoastal — easy nature walk and freshwater lagoon.
Bonnet House Museum & Gardens
1920s estate on 35 acres of subtropical gardens, one block off the beach.
Stranahan House
Oldest surviving structure in Broward County (1901) — the original trading post on the New River.
Group + van tips
Driving a 12-15 passenger van to Fort Lauderdale
- Beach parking: the Las Olas Beach Garage and the lots at Sunrise Blvd accept 12-15 passenger vans in standard-height spots.
- If you're driving up from Miami, take I-95 — it's faster than US-1 and the Turnpike for this stretch.
- Port Everglades has dedicated 15-passenger drop-off zones at terminals 18, 19, 21, 25, 26, and 29 — confirm your terminal the morning of sailing.
- Use the Water Taxi to skip A1A weekend traffic — boats run roughly every 30 minutes from 10 AM to midnight.
Las Olas Beach Garage, the City Park Mall garage, and Sunrise Blvd municipal lots all fit standard Sprinters and Transits.
When to go
Best time to visit
December–April for ideal beach weather. February–March is spring-break peak — book lodging early. May–June and November are sweet spots: warm water, fewer crowds, no peak hurricane risk.
Need a van for the trip?
Our Miami fleet of 12-15 passenger Sprinters and Ford Transits delivers free to MIA, FLL, the Port of Miami, and South Beach hotels.
See Miami vansPlan your visit
Official Fort Lauderdale resources
Visit Lauderdale (CVB)
www.visitlauderdale.com
City of Fort Lauderdale — official site
www.fortlauderdale.gov
Water Taxi Fort Lauderdale
watertaxi.com
Port Everglades cruise terminal info
www.porteverglades.net
More background
Fort Lauderdale FAQ
How far is Fort Lauderdale from Miami?
About 30 miles and 35–50 minutes via I-95, depending on rush-hour timing through Hollywood and Aventura.
Is FLL a better airport than MIA for groups?
Often, yes. FLL (Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood) has shorter curbside dwell times, a simpler ride-share setup, and dedicated 15-passenger van lanes — great for fly-in groups who'll spend most of their trip in Broward or the northern Keys.
Can I take the van to Port Everglades for a cruise?
Yes. Terminals 18, 19, 21, 25, 26, and 29 all have 15-passenger van drop-off zones. Long-term parking inside the port also fits 12-15 passenger vans in standard rows.
Is Fort Lauderdale Beach better than South Beach?
It's quieter and more family-friendly — fewer clubs, lower-rise hotels, and easier parking. South Beach has more iconic nightlife and Art Deco architecture. Many groups do both: one day each.
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