Origin
Fort Myers, FL
Evening in Fort Myers on Wednesday
Local time
8:41 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fort Myers, FL to Cape Coral, FL
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
21m
Distance
11.1 mi
18 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 20m
★
6 AM
0h 22m
8 AM
0h 25m
10 AM
0h 23m
12 PM
0h 23m
3 PM
0h 23m
5 PM
0h 25m
8 PM
0h 20m
★
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fort Myers, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Cape Coral, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick transit between Fort Myers and Cape Coral, this 11.1-mile connection is a straightforward commute. You can easily complete the entire trip in about 21 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day journey. With a total fuel cost of only $2, it is an incredibly budget-friendly option for those traveling within Florida. You will navigate primarily via Fowler Street, College Parkway, and Summerlin Road to reach your destination. Because the distance is so short, there is no need for overnight stops or complex logistical planning. This route serves as a practical link between these two Florida cities, offering a no-nonsense path for your local travels.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
5.5 miles from Fort Myers, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 10m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mixed driving experience as you transition between city streets and more fluid corridors. About 30% of your journey will take place on highways, providing a brief change of pace from the local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 3.1-mile segment along Fowler Street, which helps keep the drive moving steadily. Because this is a short, mixed-profile route, you will find it shifts quickly from urban surface streets to more open parkways. You should be prepared for a variety of traffic patterns throughout the 21-minute duration, as the road character adapts to the transition between the two municipalities.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Fowler Street is the longest continuous segment at about 3.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Ironbridge Boulevard.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 11.1 miles you will encounter 8 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 0.1 miles (Ironbridge Boulevard): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.2 miles (Hanson Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 1.7 miles (Fowler Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Ironbridge Boulevard
At end of road, turn right onto Ironbridge Boulevard
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
6
0.2 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Hanson Street
Enter roundabout onto Hanson Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
1.7 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
Fowler Street
Turn left onto Fowler Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
7 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
7 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Fowler Street | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| College Parkway | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| Summerlin Road | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Hanson Street | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| Cape Coral Parkway East | 1 mi | 2m |
| Cape Coral Bridge Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Boy Scout Drive | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Ironbridge Boulevard | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Fowler Street
— 3.1 mi, about 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Myers, FL and Cape Coral, FL.
1
Start on this road
438 ft
·
34 sec
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn right onto Ironbridge Boulevard
327 ft
·
16 sec
·
Ironbridge Boulevard
3
Turn right onto Hanson Street
426 ft
·
11 sec
·
Hanson Street
4
Enter roundabout onto Hanson Street
400 ft
·
11 sec
·
Hanson Street
5
Continue on Hanson Street
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Hanson Street
6
Turn left onto Fowler Street
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Fowler Street
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on Boy Scout Drive
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
Boy Scout Drive
8
Turn straight onto CR 869
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Summerlin Road
9
Turn slight right
0.2 mi
·
45 sec
10
Keep slight right at fork
167 ft
·
6 sec
11
Keep slight right at fork
147 ft
·
5 sec
12
Turn straight onto College Parkway
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
College Parkway
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on Cape Coral Bridge Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Cape Coral Bridge Road
14
Continue on Cape Coral Parkway East
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Cape Coral Parkway East
15
Turn right
200 ft
·
14 sec
16
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 11.1-mile trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic hours is always a smart move for a smoother ride. You will not need to plan for any formal stops, as the entire distance is easily manageable in one go. Keep your $2 fuel budget in mind when planning your day, as this remains a very low-cost trip regardless of your vehicle's efficiency. A key tip for this specific drive is to familiarize yourself with the transition points between Fowler Street and College Parkway before you leave. Staying alert during these road changes will ensure your short hop between Fort Myers and Cape Coral remains stress-free and efficient.
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 5.5 miles from Fort Myers, FL, or about 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 3.1 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 11 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 5.5 miles or 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cape Coral, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving Fort Myers, FL.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Fort Myers, FL
This is one driving day of about 11.1 miles and 21m.
At 11.1 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
The longest stretch is on Fowler Street for about 3.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 5.5 mi from Fort Myers, FL · 10m into the drive
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 5.5 miles from Fort Myers, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Cape Coral, FL
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Cape Coral, FL if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$1.77 one way
$3.53 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
4 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $1.92 | $3.84 |
| premium | $4.72 | $2.06 | $4.13 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $2.45 | $4.90 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 3.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.3 | 0 | $1.17 | $0.53 |
| Efficient EV | 2.8 | 0 | $0.97 | $0.44 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 4.4 | 0 | $1.55 | $0.71 |
Gas CO2
4 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (75% 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.
Destination
Cape Coral, FL
Evening in Cape Coral on Wednesday
Local time
8:41 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Partly Cloudy
ENE 6 to 12 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
21m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Fort Myers, FL to Cape Coral, FL covers 11.1 miles and takes about 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Fowler Street, College Parkway, Summerlin Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 5.5 miles from Fort Myers, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $1.77 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 11.1 miles you will encounter 8 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 0.1 miles (Ironbridge Boulevard): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.2 miles (Hanson Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 1.7 miles (Fowler Street): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Fort Myers, FL to Cape Coral, FL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Cape Coral, FL
More trips to Cape Coral, FL
Explore more options from Fort Myers, FL or browse trips ending in Cape Coral, FL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse FL road trips.
Explore maps for Fort Myers, FL or Cape Coral, FL on MapSof.net.