The drive from DeFuniak Springs, FL to Cape Coral, FL covers 516 miles and takes about 9h 28m behind the wheel.
It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.
The route leans on I 75, I 10, Tamiami Trail for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is long-distance drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 277 miles on I 75.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $82.13 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
258 miles from DeFuniak Springs, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 38m into the drive
.
Drive Character
At 516 miles and 9h 28m of driving, this is a route where fuel stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single turn. The main roads are I 75 and I 10.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 75 is the longest continuous segment at about 277 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
260 ft5 ft
Total Climb
179 ft
Total Descent
434 ft
Highest Point
260 ft
Elevation Range
255 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and I 10. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 374.8 miles in near I 75.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 516 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 374.8 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 449.1 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 491.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
374.8 mi into trip|~6h 43m in|I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward South I 75: Naples
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward South I 75: Naples
6
449.1 mi into trip|~8h 3m in|I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
491.3 mi into trip|~8h 48m in
Take the exit toward CR 762: North Fort Myers, Cape Coral
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 158
Toward CR 762: North Fort Myers, Cape Coral
7
491.6 mi into trip|~8h 49m in
Keep slight right at fork toward CR 762 West, to US 41
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward CR 762 West, to US 41
6
503 mi into trip|~9h 4m in|CR 867A / Del Prado Boulevard North
Turn right onto CR 867A / Del Prado Boulevard North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
277 mi
4h 56m
I 10
211 mi
3h 46m
Tamiami Trail
10.4 mi
12m
Del Prado Boulevard North
6.5 mi
10m
Del Prado Boulevard South
6.2 mi
12m
US Highway 331 South
2.1 mi
3m
Tuckers Grade
0.9 mi
1m
Cape Coral Parkway East
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 277 mi, about 4h 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between DeFuniak Springs, FL and Cape Coral, FL.
1
Start on South 9th Street
124 ft·13 sec·South 9th Street
2
Turn left onto US 90
0.3 mi·40 sec·US Highway 90 East
3
Turn left onto US 331
2.1 mi·3 min·US Highway 331 South
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward I 10 East: TallahasseeUse the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 10
211 mi·3 hr 46 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi·37 sec
Exit 296AToward I-75 South: Tampa
7
Merge onto I 75
161 mi·2 hr 52 min·I 75
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
74 mi·1 hr 19 min·I 75
Toward South I 75: NaplesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
42 mi·45 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Exit 158Toward CR 762: North Fort Myers, Cape Coral
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward CR 762 West, to US 41
12
Turn straight onto CR 762
0.9 mi·1 min·Tuckers Grade
13
Turn left onto US 41
10 mi·12 min·Tamiami Trail
Use the right lane.
14
Turn right onto CR 867A
6.5 mi·10 min·Del Prado Boulevard North
Use the left lane.
15
Continue on CR 867A
6.2 mi·12 min·Del Prado Boulevard South
16
Turn right onto Cape Coral Parkway East
0.3 mi·41 sec·Cape Coral Parkway East
Use the right lane.
17
Turn right
200 ft·14 sec
18
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 258 miles from DeFuniak Springs, FL, or about 4h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 277 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 114 miles or 2h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 258 miles or 4h 38m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 258 miles or 4h 38m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 8h 10m
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 DeFuniak Springs, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from DeFuniak Springs, FL
Aim for roughly 258 miles and 4.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Cape Coral, FL
Aim for roughly 258 miles and 4.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 114 miles from DeFuniak Springs, FL.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 277 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 258 mi from DeFuniak Springs, FL
· 4h 38m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 427
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$82.13 one way
$164.27 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg181 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$89.35
$178.69
premium
$4.72
$95.95
$191.90
diesel
$5.61
$113.93
$227.85
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$82
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$212–$322
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 180.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
40 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
ChargePoint Charging Station
Port Charlotte, Florida
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Ionna Charging Station
Wesley Chapel, Florida
Other
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Tallahassee, Florida
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Wesley Chapel, Florida
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Gainesville, Florida
Tesla
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Gainesville, Florida
Tesla
1 DCFC
Pilot Flying J Charging Station
Midway, Florida
Other
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Ocala, Florida
Tesla
1 DCFC
ChargePoint: 10
Other: 10
Tesla: 8
Blink: 5
Electrify America: 3
Tesla Destination: 2
Rivian: 1
EV Connect: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $54 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
154.8
1
$54.18
$24.77
Efficient EV
129
1
$45.15
$20.64
EV Truck/SUV
206.4
2
$72.24
$33.02
Gas CO2
181 kg
EV CO2
60 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
DeFuniak Springs, FL
Evening
in DeFuniak Springs on Friday
Local time
6:25 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cape Coral, FL
Evening
in Cape Coral on Friday
Local time
7:25 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
Time zone
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
15 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
9h 28m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from DeFuniak Springs, FL to Cape Coral, FL covers 516 miles and takes about 9h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, I 10, Tamiami Trail. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 258 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 258 miles from DeFuniak Springs, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $82.13 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 516 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 374.8 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 449.1 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 491.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from DeFuniak Springs, FL to Cape Coral, FL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include De Soto National Memorial.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
