Trip from Key West, FL to Cape Coral, FL

Drive Time

6h 37m

Distance

297.7 mi

479 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$50

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min

4 AM

6h 26m ★

6 AM

6h 38m

8 AM

7h 2m

10 AM

6h 46m

12 PM

6h 44m

3 PM

6h 47m

5 PM

7h 1m

8 PM

6h 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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Key West, FL

Arian Fernandez

Cape Coral, FL

DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ

Trip Overview

Traveling from Key West to Cape Coral covers 297.7 miles and typically takes about 6 hours and 37 minutes of driving time. Because this route fits into a single day, you can comfortably complete the journey without an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $50 on fuel to make the trek across the Florida landscape. You will traverse the iconic Overseas Highway and the New Seven Mile Bridge before transitioning toward the mainland. This drive is ideal for those who enjoy a mix of coastal transitions and inland transit, serving as a straightforward connection between these two Florida destinations.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

148.8 miles from Key West, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 43m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention, particularly during the initial stretches through the Keys. With only 15% of the trip spent on highways, you will spend most of your time navigating local roads rather than cruising on interstates. The character of the route shifts significantly once you reach the mainland, where you encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 106.6 miles along Alligator Alley. This transition from narrow coastal passages to wide, high-speed corridors defines the rhythm of your trip. Be prepared for a varied experience that balances technical steering with long, steady miles.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Alligator Alley is the longest continuous segment at about 106.6 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

24 ft 3 ft

Total Climb

38 ft

Total Descent

36 ft

Highest Point

24 ft

~285.3 mi in

Elevation Range

21 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 125.9 miles in.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 297.7 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 125.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 139.5 miles (Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 161.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 19 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

125.9 mi into trip | ~3h 16m in

Take the exit toward Miami, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North

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

Use the straight / right lanes. Toward Miami, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North

139.5 mi into trip | ~3h 32m in | Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike

Keep slight right at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

161.1 mi into trip | ~3h 58m in

Take the exit toward US 27: Okeechobee Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Exit 35 Toward US 27: Okeechobee Road

286.8 mi into trip | ~6h 17m in

Take the exit toward CR 876: Cape Coral

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 131 Toward CR 876: Cape Coral

287.1 mi into trip | ~6h 18m in

Keep slight left at fork toward CR 876 West: Lee County Sports Complex, Florida SouthWestern State College, Cape Coral

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left lane. Toward CR 876 West: Lee County Sports Complex,...

Towns Along This Route

Between Key West, FL and Cape Coral, FL, road signs point toward Miami, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North, Fort Lauderdale and Naples.

Miami

125.9 mi in | ~3h 16m

Orlando

125.9 mi in | ~3h 16m

Florida's Turnpike North

125.9 mi in | ~3h 16m

Fort Lauderdale

179.1 mi in | ~4h 21m

Naples

179.1 mi in | ~4h 21m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Alligator Alley	106.6 mi	1h 54m
New Seven Mile Bridge	68.1 mi	1h 46m
Overseas Highway	36.1 mi	56m
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike	34.8 mi	41m
Dixie Highway	19.4 mi	26m
Okeechobee Road	17.6 mi	22m
Daniels Parkway	4.8 mi	8m
College Parkway	3.2 mi	5m

Longest stretch: Alligator Alley — 106.6 mi, about 1h 54m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Key West, FL and Cape Coral, FL.

Start on George Street

367 ft · 21 sec · George Street

At end of road, turn left onto Flagler Avenue

2.1 mi · 5 min · Flagler Avenue

At end of road, turn left onto FL A1A

0.3 mi · 40 sec · South Roosevelt Boulevard

Turn right onto US 1

36 mi · 56 min · Overseas Highway

Continue on US 1

68 mi · 1 hr 46 min · New Seven Mile Bridge

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 1

19 mi · 26 min · Dixie Highway

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec

Toward Miami, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike

13 mi · 15 min · Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike

Toward Miami, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike

3.6 mi · 4 min · Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike

2.5 mi · 3 min · Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike

16 mi · 17 min · Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec

Exit 35 Toward US 27: Okeechobee Road Use the right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 15 sec

Toward US 27: Okeechobee Road

Merge onto US 27

18 mi · 22 min · Okeechobee Road

Use the right lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec

Toward I 75: Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Naples

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min

Toward I 75 North: Naples

Merge onto I 75

107 mi · 1 hr 54 min · Alligator Alley

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec

Exit 131 Toward CR 876: Cape Coral Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

524 ft · 16 sec

Toward CR 876 West: Lee County Sports Complex, Florida SouthWestern State College, Cape Coral Use the left lane.

Turn left

116 ft · 5 sec

Toward CR 876 West

Turn left onto CR 876

4.8 mi · 8 min · Daniels Parkway

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto US 41

0.7 mi · 1 min · South Cleveland Avenue

Turn left onto College Parkway

3.2 mi · 5 min · College Parkway

Use the left lane.

Continue on Cape Coral Bridge Road

0.7 mi · 1 min · Cape Coral Bridge Road

Continue on Cape Coral Parkway East

1.0 mi · 2 min · Cape Coral Parkway East

Turn right

200 ft · 14 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Since this is a full-day commitment, aim to depart early to avoid peak traffic and ensure you reach Cape Coral before dark. You have the flexibility to plan one major stop to break up the nearly 7-hour drive, which helps keep fatigue at bay on the longer segments. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before entering the stretches of Alligator Alley, as services can be spaced out. Utilizing your single planned stop effectively will make the transition between the local keys roads and the faster highway portions much smoother. Prioritize steady pacing to handle the variety of road conditions you will face throughout the 297.7-mile journey.

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

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

The halfway point lands around 148.8 miles from Key West, FL, or about 3h 43m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 106.6 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 80 miles or 2h 7m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 148.8 miles or 3h 43m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 32m

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 Key West, 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 Key West, FL

This is one driving day of about 297.7 miles and 6h 37m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Key West, 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 Alligator Alley for about 106.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 148.8 mi from Key West, FL · 3h 43m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Doral, FL

149 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

Doral, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Doral, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 148.8 miles from Key West, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Alligator Alley if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 106.6 miles.

Arriving in Cape Coral, FL

The final approach into Cape Coral, FL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Cape Coral, FL.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$49.73 one way

$99.46 round trip

$4.24/gal 25.4 MPG avg 104 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.60	$53.87	$107.73
premium	$4.90	$57.38	$114.77
diesel	$5.64	$66.14	$132.28

Estimated Tolls: $2.09

Homestead Extension (34.8 mi) $2.09

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$50

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$77–$102

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 104.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	89.3	1	$31.26	$14.29
Efficient EV	74.4	0	$26.05	$11.91
EV Truck/SUV	119.1	1	$41.68	$19.05

Gas CO2

104 kg

EV CO2

35 kg (66% 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Key West, FL

Afternoon in Key West on Sunday

Local time

4:26 PM

EDT

Current temp

75°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Cape Coral, FL

Afternoon in Cape Coral on Sunday

Local time

4:26 PM

EDT

Current temp

67°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

8 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

6h 37m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Key West, FL to Cape Coral, FL covers 297.7 miles and takes about 6h 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Alligator Alley, New Seven Mile Bridge, Overseas Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 148.8 miles from Key West, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $49.73 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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Between Key West, FL and Cape Coral, FL, road signs point toward Miami, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North, Fort Lauderdale and Naples.

Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 3 ft to 24 ft elevation with about 38 ft of total climbing.

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Trip from Key West, FL to Cape Coral, FL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

Elevation Profile

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Cape Coral, FL

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Key West, FL

Cape Coral, FL

Same local time

8 degrees cooler at arrival

6h 37m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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