Fort Lauderdale to West Palm Beach drive: Distance, time & stops
The best road trip stops on the Fort Lauderdale to West Palm Beach drive are Pompano Beach, Boca Raton and Delray Beach. The distance from Fort Lauderdale to West Palm Beach is 46 miles, with a 50 minute driving time.
Finding the best things to do between Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach
The Fort Lauderdale to West Palm Beach drive connects two of the flashiest cities in Florida.
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.
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 West Palm Beach distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Fort Lauderdale to West Palm Beach is 46 miles. You can expect a driving time of around 50 minutes.
The best stops to add to a Fort Lauderdale to West Palm Beach road trip itinerary are Pompano Beach, Boca Raton and Delray Beach.
For more suggestions, read the guides to the Fort Lauderdale to Delray Beach drive and Delray Beach to West Palm Beach drive.
Fort Lauderdale to West Palm Beach road trip attractions: Pompano Beach
Pompano Beach has a couple of craft breweries to enjoy, but it’s mainly about the beach. It’s a good spot for sunbathing, but the real attraction lies in the coral reef just offshore. You can swim out from the beach and snorkel.
Alternatively, you can take a jetski tour.
Elsewhere, Butterfly World allows you to walk through glass houses full of thousands of butterflies. There’s also lorikeet feeding.
Good Pompano Beach accommodation possibilities include the budget-friendly Surf Side Resort and the more stylish RA Suites.
Fort Lauderdale to West Palm Beach drive: Boca Raton
Two coastal parks are the highlights of Boca Raton. Red Reef Park comes with a snorkelling area over a series of artificial reefs, plus the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center. The latter comes with a boardwalk and sea turtles. Spanish River Park, meanwhile, has plenty of picnic tables and a dog-friendly beach.
The Boca Raton Museum of Art is the top cultural attraction, known for its thoughtful special exhibitions.
Boca Raton is also a popular spot for fishing charters.
Top Boca Raton accommodation choices include the Marriott at Boca Center and the Hyatt Place.
Best stops between Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach: 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.
More Fort Lauderdale road trips
Fort Lauderdale to Boca Raton | Fort Lauderdale to Boynton Beach | Buffalo to Fort Lauderdale | Fort Lauderdale to Cape Coral | Dallas to Fort Lauderdale | Fort Lauderdale to Deerfield Beach | Fort Lauderdale to Delray Beach | Fort Lauderdale to Fort Myers | Houston to Fort Lauderdale | Jacksonville to Fort Lauderdale | Fort Lauderdale to Jupiter FL | Fort Lauderdale to Naples | Miami to Fort Lauderdale | Nashville to Fort Lauderdale | Philadelphia to Fort Lauderdale | Pittsburgh to Fort Lauderdale | Fort Lauderdale to Stuart FL | Fort Lauderdale to Washington DC.
More West Palm Beach road trips
West Palm Beach to Boca Raton | West Palm Beach to Boynton Beach | West Palm Beach to Delray Beach | West Palm Beach to Jupiter FL | Orlando to West Palm Beach | West Palm Beach to Stuart | West Palm Beach to Vero Beach.