Fort Lauderdale to Melbourne drive: Best stops, time & distance

The best road trip stops on the Fort Lauderdale to Melbourne drive are West Palm Beach, Fort Pierce and Vero Beach. The distance from Fort Lauderdale to Melbourne is 157 miles, with a 2h21m driving time.

Planning a Fort Lauderdale to Melbourne road trip itinerary

The Fort Lauderdale to Melbourne drive takes you up Florida’s all-action east coast.

Fort Lauderdale is sleek coastal city of beaches and canals. For Fort Lauderdale experiences, try narrated 90 minute cruises on the Jungle Queen, Everglades airboat adventures and snorkelling tours on the Fort Lauderdale reefs.

Alternatively, try an evening boat cruise, renting a powerboat or parasailing.

Great beachfront Fort Lauderdale accommodation options include the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort and the Hotel Maren.

Melbourne is a relatively low key city on Florida’s Space Coast. It’s on the Indian River Lagoon, which is a great spot for seeing dolphins. You can take a two hour dolphin-watching boat cruise to make the most of it.

Otherwise, there’s a string of beaches to enjoy on the barrier island on the other side of the lagoon.

Top accommodation options in Melbourne FL include the beachside Bleu Beach Resort and the Hotel Melby downtown.

Fort Lauderdale to Melbourne distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Fort Lauderdale to Melbourne FL is 157 miles. You can expect a driving time of around two hours and 21 minutes. The quickest route is up the I-95.

The best stops to add to a Fort Lauderdale to Melbourne road trip are West Palm Beach, Fort Pierce and Vero Beach. For more suggestions, read the guides to the individual sections of the journey:

Best stops between Fort Lauderdale and Melbourne: West Palm Beach

Notoriously wealthy West Palm Beach goes big on art. The Norton Museum of Art and Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens are the big hitters, but there are plenty of smaller galleries. Arguably the top attraction is in Palm Beach, however. Here, the Henry Morrison Flagler Museum marries Gilded Age grandeur with Florida history.

Bookable West Palm Beach experiences include snorkelling tours, sunset cruises and photoshoots on Worth Avenue. You can also try jet snorkelling, parasailing and food-tasting market tours.

For West Palm Beach accommodation with superb guest ratings, the Pioneer Inn is excellent value and the Ben brings five star opulence.

Fort Lauderdale to Melbourne drive: Fort Pierce FL

Fort Pierce is an often-overlooked spot on Florida’s Atlantic coast, but there’s plenty to do here. Top Fort Pierce experiences include clear kayak tours through the mangroves, jungle tours and sunset kayak tours.

The National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum looks at the elite special ops marine troops of the Navy Seals, while the St Lucie County Aquarium shows off other marine life.

The Fort Pierce Inlet State Park offers an excellent half-mile beach, birdwatching, an observation tower and snorkelling off the shore. There’s also a string of beaches on the south side of the Inlet.

Manatees also rock up here during the winter months, with the Fort Pierce Manatee Observation Center the best place to see them.

Well-reviewed Fort Pierce accommodation options include the budget-friendly Hampton Inn and the beachfront Hutchinson Island Plaza Hotel.

Fort Lauderdale to Melbourne FL road trip attractions: Vero Beach

With beaches on the Atlantic side of the Indian River Lagoon, Vero Beach can be used as a sun and sand destination. But there’s more to it than that. The Vero Beach Museum of Art provides a culture fix and the McKee Botanical Garden showcases incredible floral diversity.

Fun Vero Beach activities include tiki cabana boat cruises and fat tire electric bike tours.

For Vero Beach accommodation picks, try the Prestige Hotel by the beach or the Hampton Inn downtown.