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

The best road trip stops on the Fort Lauderdale to Stuart FL drive are Delray Beach, West Palm Beach and Jupiter FL. The distance from Fort Lauderdale to Stuart FL by car is 82 miles, with a 1h25m driving time.

Planning a Fort Lauderdale to Stuart road trip itinerary

The Fort Lauderdale to Stuart drive takes you through an action-packed stretch of the Florida 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.

Stuart is a relatively sleepy city on Florida’s east coast. For most visitors, the primary point of interest will be Stuart Beach on Hutchinson Island. However, there are a couple of good museums here, too. The Elliott Museum offers a surprisingly modern take on Florida’s cultural history, while the House of Refuge looks more at maritime heritage. The building was once a haven for shipwreck survivors.

Good experiences to try in Stuart include ghost tours and fishing charters.

For somewhere to stay in Stuart, take a look at the affordable Best Western Stuart Downtown and the charming Old Colorado Inn.

Fort Lauderdale to Stuart distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Fort Lauderdale to Stuart FL is 82 miles. You can expect a driving time of around one hour and 25 minutes. The quickest route is usually via the I-95

The best stops to add to a Fort Lauderdale to Stuart road trip are Delray Beach, West Palm Beach and Jupiter FL. For more suggestions, see the guides to the separate sections of the journey.

Best stops between Fort Lauderdale and Stuart: Delray Beach

Delray Beach is one of the more interesting cities along the coast of southeast Florida, largely because it doesn’t rely too heavily on the beach itself. There’s a good dining and drinking scene here, which is best discovered on a food and drink tour.

Art is where Delray Beach punches above its weight, however. The Cornell Arts Museum hosts international exhibitions, while the Pineapple Grove Arts District brims with sculptures, murals and galleries.

Elsewhere, the Morikami Museum and Gardens takes a look at Japanese culture and the Sandoway Discovery Center concentrates on local wildlife. There are coral reef aquarium tanks, plus shark and stingray feeding, here.

For Delray Beach accommodation with a sense of swagger, try the Atlantic Suites on the Ave or the Opal Grand Oceanfront Resort.

Fort Lauderdale to Stuart road trip attractions: 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 Stuart drive: Jupiter FL

Jupiter Beach on the Atlantic Ocean is the primary attraction of Jupiter FL, but there are a couple of other interesting spots. Du Bois Park offers a snorkelling lagoon, a playground and picnic tables.

Near the I-95, the Loxahatchee River Battlefield Park commemorates the battles of the Loxahatchee in the Second Seminole War.

Fun activities in Jupiter FL include clear kayak tours, sunset cruises and guided paddleboarding adventures.

For Jupiter accommodation, take a look at the beachfront Pointe Hotel and the pool-centric Jupiter Beach Resort and Spa.