Pittsburgh to Fort Lauderdale road trip: Best stops, time & distance

The best road trip stops on the Pittsburgh to Fort Lauderdale drive are New River Gorge, Charlotte and Savannah. The distance from Pittsburgh to Fort Lauderdale by car is 1,156 miles, with an 16h56m driving time.

Planning a Pittsburgh to Fort Lauderdale road trip itinerary

The Pittsburgh to Fort Lauderdale drive takes you from western Pennsylvania to southeast Florida.

Pittsburgh in western Pennsylvania is a monstrously underrated city, with a series of stellar attractions. Get great views from the top of the Duquesne Incline, enjoy the globally-themed rooms at the unmissable Cathedral of Learning and become immersed in pop art at the Warhol Museum.

You can explore Pittsburgh with a hop-on, hop-off bus pass. Pittsburgh experiences include bike tours full of stories, guided whiskey-themed walks and craft beer sampling on a multi-brewery tour.

For Pittsburgh hotels with great reviews, try the Italian villa-style Priory Hotel or the often good value Drury Plaza Hotel Pittsburgh Downtown.

Fort Lauderdale is a 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.

Pittsburgh to Fort Lauderdale distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Pittsburgh to Fort Lauderdale is 1,156 miles. That makes for a driving time of around 16 hours and 56 minutes. The quickest route is via the I-90, I-79, US-19, I-77 and I-95.

The best stops to add to a Pittsburgh to Fort Lauderdale road trip itinerary are New River Gorge, Charlotte and Savannah.

Pittsburgh to Fort Lauderdale road trip attractions: New River Gorge, West Virginia

Near Beckley WV, the New River has carved the longest and deepest river gorge in the Appalachians. In the surrounding forests of New River Gorge National Park, several hiking trails lead to dramatic gorge views. Meanwhile rock climbers get some serious practice in on the steep walls.

The upper stretch of the river is beloved by white water canoeists, while the Lower Gorge has often ferocious rapids.

It is, therefore, one of the best places in the country to do a whitewater rafting tour. Nearby, you can also try ATV adventures and ziplining.

Pittsburgh to Fort Lauderdale drive: Charlotte NC

Charlotte is the biggest city in North Carolina. Major attractions include the NASCAR Hall of Fame, the thrill-packed Carowinds amusement park and the Billy Graham Library. Another popular option is the Sea Life aquarium.

For top Charlotte activities, try historical city tours by golf cart, Segway tours through the Uptown neighbourhood and after dark ghost tours.

Well-reviewed and central Charlotte accommodation options include the AC by Marriott and the Hyatt House.

Best stops between Pittsburgh and Fort Lauderdale: Savannah GA

Savannah has a timewarp handsomeness about it. Parks are lined by mossy oak trees, 19^th century buildings ooze history and riverboats glide along the rivers.

Great activities in Savannah include the Ghosts and Gravestones trolley tour, riverboat cruises and a true crime pub crawl.

For more suggestions, check out the guides to the Savannah to Jacksonville drive and Jacksonville to Fort Lauderdale drive.