WHat's the approx drive time from central Ft Lauderdale to Mia south beach area? Just curious. Will be staying in FLL one night before a cruise. Will arrive FLL early in the day and could rent a car, just for the drive down to South Beach. Is it a viable option? I don't plan to spend the night in SB, just want to have a look!

I've responded to some of your other questions, so I'll try to help with this one, too....

From the areas you are looking at in FLL, you should allow about an hour to get to SoBe and find a parking space. Of course, it depends on what day you are going. I understand it is congested on weekends. Coming back won't be as long because you don't have to find a parking space and you'll know your return route.

I agree it shouldn't take more than an hour depending on day of week, time of day and route you take! I've done it from Boca Raton which is further north than FLL in an hour. It's definietly worth "having a look." If you have time, one of my afvorite places is Vizcaya, an Italian villa that sits on Biscayne Bay. Have a look here

http://www.vizcayamuseum.org/

You can use mapquest.com for directions.

Agree with the above. If you drive either very early in the morning or late at night, you'll make better time.

Don't get on I-95 drive straight down AIA.

Thanks, everyone, for the replies. OK, now you've got me wondering about parking at SoBe. Will that be a problem? Are there restaurants that have private parking? This will be on a Friday night, as the cruise leaves on Saturday afternoon.
Thanks again!
Carol

Carol, On a Friday night plan 2 hours to South Beach. Also, parking will be very difficult. I'd still go but as an out of towner myself, I'm always shocked at how long the drive is from Ft Lauderdale compared to what the map suggests. South Beach is fun to see though.

It won't take anywhere near 2 hours from FLL to SoBeach. With no traffic it's 45 minutes to 1 hour tops. 95 gets very congested, take A1A or depending on where you are in FLL, even the Turnpike.
As for your parking question, there are some lots which can get full, and many of the restaurants have valet parking.

If you have plenty of time for a leisurely scenic drive, then I would take A1A.
We left Lauderdale by the Sea at 5 pm on a Friday and it took one hour on I95 to get to a Miami heat game, and that was in heavy traffic.