Trip from Cape Coral, FL to Lake Panasoffkee, FL

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 38m

Distance

187.7 mi

302 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$30

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min

4 AM

3h 26m ★

6 AM

3h 39m

8 AM

4h 4m

10 AM

3h 47m

12 PM

3h 45m

3 PM

3h 49m

5 PM

4h 2m

8 PM

3h 31m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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city in Lee County, Florida, United States

Cape Coral, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Lake Panasoffkee, FL

Jose Valverde

Trip Overview

The drive from Cape Coral, FL to Lake Panasoffkee, FL covers 187.7 miles and takes about 3h 38m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 75, North Tamiami Trail, Del Prado Boulevard North for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 161.6 miles on I 75. At current regular gas prices, budget about $29.88 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

93.8 miles from Cape Coral, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 54m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 75	161.6 mi	2h 54m
North Tamiami Trail	10.4 mi	12m
Del Prado Boulevard North	6.5 mi	10m
Del Prado Boulevard South	5.2 mi	10m
Tuckers Grade	1.1 mi	2m
Coronado Parkway	0.6 mi	1m
Vincennes Boulevard	0.5 mi	1m
County Road 527 North	0.4 mi	2m

Longest stretch: I 75 — 161.6 mi, about 2h 54m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cape Coral, FL and Lake Panasoffkee, FL.

Start on this road

95 ft · 7 sec · this road

Turn right onto Cape Coral Parkway East

125 ft · 7 sec · Cape Coral Parkway East

Turn right onto Vincennes Boulevard

357 ft · 13 sec · Vincennes Boulevard

Use the right lane.

Enter roundabout onto Vincennes Boulevard

61 ft · 2 sec · Vincennes Boulevard

Continue on Vincennes Boulevard

0.5 mi · 1 min · Vincennes Boulevard

Turn right onto Coronado Parkway

0.6 mi · 1 min · Coronado Parkway

Turn left onto CR 867A

5.2 mi · 10 min · Del Prado Boulevard South

Continue on CR 867A

6.5 mi · 10 min · Del Prado Boulevard North

Use the left lane.

Turn left onto US 41

10 mi · 12 min · North Tamiami Trail

Use the right lane.

Turn right onto CR 762

1.1 mi · 2 min · Tuckers Grade

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 56 sec

Toward I 75 North: Tampa

Merge onto I 75

162 mi · 2 hr 54 min · I 75

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 35 sec

Exit 321 Toward CR 475: Sumterville, Lake Panasoffkee Use the slight right lane.

At end of road, turn left onto CR 475

0.3 mi · 37 sec · CR 475

Turn right onto CR 470

0.2 mi · 30 sec · CR 470

Turn left onto County Road 527 North

0.4 mi · 2 min · County Road 527 North

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 93.8 miles from Cape Coral, FL, or about 1h 54m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 161.6 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 41 miles or 57m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 93.8 miles or 1h 54m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 59m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lake Panasoffkee, FL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Cape Coral, FL so your first major turns are already loaded.

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Cape Coral, FL

This is one driving day of about 187.7 miles and 3h 38m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Cape Coral, FL.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 161.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lake Sarasota, FL

94 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

North Port, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bradenton, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 93.8 miles from Cape Coral, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 161.6 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Coffee Stop

Macondo Coffee Roasters - Wesley Chapel

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Wesley Chapel, Florida

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 147.5

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+13524245621

Visit website

The Muddy Root Kava Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tampa, Florida

1.1 mi

Socotra Yemeni Coffee & Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Temple Terrace, Florida

2.3 mi

Macondo Coffee Roasters - Wesley Chapel

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 147.5

Wesley Chapel, Florida

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+13524245621

Visit website

The Muddy Root Kava Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 134

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 7 am–12 pm

+18132847491

Visit website

Socotra Yemeni Coffee & Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 134

Temple Terrace, Florida

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+18137907444

Visit website

Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 134

Temple Terrace, Florida

Hours: 7 am–11 pm

+18132846137

Visit website

Felicitous (on 51st)

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 134

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 7:30 am–7 pm

+18139812634

Visit website

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 26.8

Punta Gorda, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

5 of 11

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 186.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Cape Coral Parkway East

Turn right onto Cape Coral Parkway East

Navigation decision point

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Vincennes Boulevard

Turn right onto Vincennes Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Vincennes Boulevard

Enter roundabout onto Vincennes Boulevard

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

24.9 mi into trip | ~40m in | I 75

Merge onto I 75

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

186.5 mi into trip | ~3h 34m in

Take the exit toward CR 475: Sumterville, Lake Panasoffkee

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 321 Toward CR 475: Sumterville, Lake Panasoffkee

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$29.88 one way

$59.75 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 66 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.40	$32.50	$65.00
premium	$4.72	$34.90	$69.80
diesel	$5.61	$41.44	$82.88

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$30

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$55–$80

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 65.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	56.3	$19.71	$9.01
Efficient EV	46.9	$16.42	$7.51
EV Truck/SUV	75.1	$26.28	$12.01

Gas CO2

66 kg

EV CO2

22 kg (67% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Cape Coral, FL

Afternoon in Cape Coral on Saturday

Local time

3:11 PM

EDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lake Panasoffkee, FL

Afternoon in Lake Panasoffkee on Saturday

Local time

3:11 PM

EDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

7 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

3h 38m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

De Soto National Memorial

National Memorial

In May 1539, Conquistador Hernando de Soto’s army of soldiers, hired mercenaries, craftsmen, and clergy made landfall in Tampa Bay. They were met with fierce resistance of indigenous people protecting...

9 mi from route ~22 min detour Free near mile 90.6

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

187.7 mi in 3h 38m, mostly highway — 161.6 mi of that is on I 75.

87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 161.6 mi on I 75.

How Hard Is This Drive?

3/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and North Tamiami Trail. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Cape Coral Parkway East.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 3h 38m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (Cape Coral Parkway East): Navigation decision point; near the start (Vincennes Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.1 miles (Vincennes Boulevard): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.

About the Cities

Starting in Cape Coral, FL

Full guide →

Cape Coral is a city in Southwest Florida. Visitors are drawn by its beaches, nature trails and sea kayaking opportunities on Black Island in Lovers Key State Park.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 38m. Total distance: 187.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (87%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 161.6 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

Yes — De Soto National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Lake Panasoffkee, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Trip from Cape Coral, FL to Lake Panasoffkee, FL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Macondo Coffee Roasters - Wesley Chapel

Macondo Coffee Roasters - Wesley Chapel

The Muddy Root Kava Cafe

Socotra Yemeni Coffee & Co.

Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Co.

Felicitous (on 51st)

Lunar Coffee

Haraz Coffee House

7Charge Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Ionna Charging Station

Blink Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Electrify America Charging Station

Electric Era Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Oscar Scherer State Park

Showmen's Museum

New Tampa Recreational Center

Big Cat Habitat

Tom Bennett Park

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Cape Coral, FL

Lake Panasoffkee, FL

Same local time

7 degrees cooler at arrival

3h 38m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

De Soto National Memorial

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

About the Cities

Starting in Cape Coral, FL

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

More from Cape Coral, FL

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