Ft. Lauderdale to Miami Commute (Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood: home, living in, moving)

[Belvedere21]

I'm going to be taking a job in Miami, but really want to live in the Ft. Lauderdale area. I've heard the commute can be horrific, possibly over an hour. But what if I don't have to be at work until around 10am. If I left Ft. Lauderdale at 9:30am would the traffic be less intense?

What about the return drive from Miami to Ft. Lauderdale at around 6pm?

I'm happy to work in Miami, but want to live in a less intense environment. I want a nice mix of beach and city life. I was told Ft. Lauderdale has the perfect mix.

Appreciate any advice you can offer to someone unfamiliar with the area.

Thanks!

[iMarvin]

I was down there in July and traffic was fine around 10am. 6pm, however was not so great. Traffic was moving very slowly.

[mes271]

I do that commute at 9:30am myself, it's never a problem. I can usually do door-to-door, downtown Ft Laud to downtown Miami in 30-35 minutes.

6pm coming home is much more difficult (I'm usually not in that traffic, I come home later at night).

[vigo]

My husband leaves work in downtown Miami at 6 PM sharp and gets home to east Hollywood at 6:45, as a rule. Some days are worse (accidents, rain, sports events) but 45 minutes is about right. Add another 10 minutes or so to get to Ft. Lauderdale.

You can pay a toll to ride in the express lanes of I-95 and pretty much avoid the congestion, but that can get expensive. It might cut 10 minutes from the commute -- not really worth it.

I agree that driving southbound at 10 AM should be about 35 minutes.

[Belvedere21]

Wow everyone, this is very encouraging.

35 minutes from Ft. Lauderdale to Miami in the morning is wonderful. And an approximate 45 minutes drive return drive at 6pm is certainly doable.

Thank you all for this feedback. And I'd still welcome any additional thoughts anyone may have.

Thanks!

[Nolefan34]

It will take longer than 45 minutes to get home. The previous poster lives in Hollywood. Fort Lauderdale would be another 10-15 minutes up the interstate. Traffic leaving Miami at 6PM is pretty rough. If you wait until 6:30 it clears up a lot. Maybe you could work out some deal with your job to start work 30 minutes later and leave 30 minutes later.

[Belvedere21]

Ahh good to know. Fortunately I'll have flexibility in terms of my work hours.

My tentative plan is to leave Ft. Lauderdale at 9:30am to arrive in Miami around 10:00am. I'll most likely end up leaving Miami at either 6:30pm or 7:00pm, so I'm hoping that will make for a reasonable commute.

If anybody thinks this this is an unrealistic plan, then please let me know. Would love to have as much info as possible.

Thanks again for all of the advice!

[Swampbird]

Your drive will be about an hour, but it should flow.

[GucciDiva]

Originally Posted by Belvedere21

I'm going to be taking a job in Miami, but really want to live in the Ft. Lauderdale area. I've heard the commute can be horrific, possibly over an hour. But what if I don't have to be at work until around 10am. If I left Ft. Lauderdale at 9:30am would the traffic be less intense?

What about the return drive from Miami to Ft. Lauderdale at around 6pm?

I'm happy to work in Miami, but want to live in a less intense environment. I want a nice mix of beach and city life. I was told Ft. Lauderdale has the perfect mix.

Appreciate any advice you can offer to someone unfamiliar with the area.

Thanks!

Theres NO WAY possible to leave Fort Lauderdale at 9:30 to make it to work at 10:00. I highly suggest you leave at 8:30 to make it on time. What part of Lauderdale are ya leaving and what part of Miami ya going to?

[Belvedere21]

I'll be working at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts on Biscayne Blvd and NE 14th Street.

Not sure yet where I'll be living in Ft. Lauderdale.

What do you think?