This 72.4-mile drive from Clewiston to Cape Coral, Florida, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 42 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $12, it's an economical option for a day trip. The route primarily utilizes FL 80 and I-75, offering a highway-focused experience. Since there are no recommended stops and the drive is relatively short, you'll have plenty of flexibility in your timing. This trip is entirely within Florida, connecting two points in the Sunshine State.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
36.2 miles from Clewiston, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 49m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 42m. Total distance: 72.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 72.4-mile trip, with 78% of the drive on interstate or major highways. You'll spend a significant stretch, up to 47 miles, on FL 80, also known as Sugarland Highway, before transitioning to I-75. While the majority is highway driving, the initial segment on FL 80 might offer a slightly different character before merging onto faster speeds. This route is designed for efficient travel, prioritizing getting you from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
FL 80 is the longest continuous segment at about 47 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on FL 80 and Sugarland Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8.7 miles in near FL 80.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 72.4 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 8.7 miles (FL 80): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.1 miles (FL 80): Lane positioning matters here; at 55.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
8.7 mi into trip|~11m in|FL 80
Take the exit onto FL 80 toward FL 80 West: La Belle, Fort Myers
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward FL 80 West: La Belle, Fort Myers
6
9.1 mi into trip|~12m in|FL 80
Turn left onto FL 80
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
55.7 mi into trip|~1h 15m in
Take the exit toward I 75 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 75 South
8
60.5 mi into trip|~1h 21m in
Take the exit toward FL 884: Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 136
Toward FL 884: Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres
8
60.8 mi into trip|~1h 22m in
Keep slight right at fork toward SR 884: Colonial Blvd
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward SR 884: Colonial Blvd
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Clewiston, FL and Cape Coral, FL, road signs point toward Fort Myers and Lehigh Acres.
Fort Myers
8.7 mi in|~11m|via FL 80
Lehigh Acres
60.5 mi in|~1h 21m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
FL 80
47 mi
1h 4m
Sugarland Highway
6.7 mi
9m
I 75
4.3 mi
4m
Colonial Boulevard
3.9 mi
6m
College Parkway
2.3 mi
4m
US 27
2 mi
2m
Summerlin Road
1.5 mi
2m
Fowler Street
1.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
FL 80
— 47 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clewiston, FL and Cape Coral, FL.
1
Start on US 27; FL 80
6.7 mi·9 min·Sugarland Highway
2
Continue on US 27; FL 80
2.0 mi·2 min·US 27; FL 80
3
Take the exit onto FL 80
0.4 mi·50 sec·FL 80
Toward FL 80 West: La Belle, Fort Myers
4
Turn left onto FL 80
47 mi·1 hr 3 min·FL 80
Use the left lane.
5
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 75 SouthUse the straight lane.
6
Merge onto I 75
4.3 mi·4 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 136Toward FL 884: Fort Myers, Lehigh AcresUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
510 ft·14 sec
Toward SR 884: Colonial BlvdUse the right lane.
9
Merge onto FL 884
3.9 mi·6 min·Colonial Boulevard
Use the right lane.
10
Turn left onto Fowler Street
1.3 mi·2 min·Fowler Street
Use the left lane.
11
Continue on Boy Scout Drive
0.5 mi·50 sec·Boy Scout Drive
12
Turn straight onto CR 869
1.5 mi·2 min·Summerlin Road
13
Turn slight right
0.2 mi·45 sec
14
Keep slight right at fork
167 ft·6 sec
15
Keep slight right at fork
147 ft·5 sec
16
Turn straight onto College Parkway
2.3 mi·4 min·College Parkway
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on Cape Coral Bridge Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Cape Coral Bridge Road
18
Continue on Cape Coral Parkway East
1.0 mi·2 min·Cape Coral Parkway East
19
Turn right
200 ft·14 sec
20
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of just over 1.5 hours, this trip is ideal for a spontaneous departure or a leisurely start. You won't need to worry about splitting the drive, allowing you to leave whenever is most convenient. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated $12 cost suggests fewer frequent stops might be necessary, but it's always wise to top off before heading out. A specific tip for this route: be aware that the longest uninterrupted stretch is 47 miles on FL 80, so ensure you have everything you need before embarking on that segment.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 36.2 miles from Clewiston, FL, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 47 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 16 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.2 miles or 49m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cape Coral, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Clewiston, FL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Clewiston, FL
This is one driving day of about 72.4 miles and 1h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Clewiston, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on FL 80 for about 47 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 36.2 mi from Clewiston, FL
· 49m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.52 one way
$23.05 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg25 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$12.54
$25.07
premium
$4.72
$13.46
$26.92
diesel
$5.61
$15.99
$31.97
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
21.7
0
$7.60
$3.48
Efficient EV
18.1
0
$6.34
$2.90
EV Truck/SUV
29
0
$10.14
$4.63
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% 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
Clewiston, FL
Afternoon
in Clewiston on Friday
Local time
2:07 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cape Coral, FL
Afternoon
in Cape Coral on Friday
Local time
2:07 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°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
3 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 42m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Clewiston, FL to Cape Coral, FL covers 72.4 miles and takes about 1h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are FL 80, Sugarland Highway, I 75. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 36.2 miles from Clewiston, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.52 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 72.4 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 8.7 miles (FL 80): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.1 miles (FL 80): Lane positioning matters here; at 55.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Clewiston, FL and Cape Coral, FL, road signs point toward Fort Myers and Lehigh Acres.
