Origin
Lake Panasoffkee, FL
Afternoon in Lake Panasoffkee on Saturday
Local time
2:32 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lake Panasoffkee, FL to Cape Coral, FL
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 37m
Distance
187.6 mi
302 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 25m
★
6 AM
3h 37m
8 AM
4h 2m
10 AM
3h 46m
12 PM
3h 44m
3 PM
3h 47m
5 PM
4h 1m
8 PM
3h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lake Panasoffkee, FL
Jose Valverde
Cape Coral, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Lake Panasoffkee, FL to Cape Coral, FL covers 187.6 miles and takes about 3h 37m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 75, 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 $29.86 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 Lake Panasoffkee, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 43m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 161.6 mi | 2h 53m |
| Tamiami Trail | 10.4 mi | 12m |
| Del Prado Boulevard North | 6.5 mi | 10m |
| Del Prado Boulevard South | 6.2 mi | 12m |
| Tuckers Grade | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Cape Coral Parkway East | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| CR 470 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| County Road 527 North | 0.3 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 161.6 mi, about 2h 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Panasoffkee, FL and Cape Coral, FL.
1
Start on this road
0.2 mi
·
1 min
·
this road
2
Continue on County Road 527 North
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
County Road 527 North
3
Turn right onto CR 470
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
CR 470
Use the left / straight / slight right lanes.
4
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 75 South: Tampa
Use the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 75
45 mi
·
48 min
·
I 75
Use the straight lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
74 mi
·
1 hr 19 min
·
I 75
Toward South I 75: Naples
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
42 mi
·
45 min
·
I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 158
Toward CR 762: North Fort Myers, Cape Coral
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward CR 762 West, to US 41
10
Turn straight onto CR 762
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Tuckers Grade
11
Turn left onto US 41
10 mi
·
12 min
·
Tamiami Trail
Use the right lane.
12
Turn right onto CR 867A
6.5 mi
·
10 min
·
Del Prado Boulevard North
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on CR 867A
6.2 mi
·
12 min
·
Del Prado Boulevard South
14
Turn right onto Cape Coral Parkway East
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Cape Coral Parkway East
Use the right lane.
15
Turn right
200 ft
·
14 sec
16
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 Lake Panasoffkee, FL, or about 1h 43m 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 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 93.8 miles or 1h 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 2h 47m
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 Lake Panasoffkee, 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 Lake Panasoffkee, FL
This is one driving day of about 187.6 miles and 3h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Lake Panasoffkee, 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
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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 93.8 miles from Lake Panasoffkee, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 163.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.4 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
CR 470
Turn right onto CR 470
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight / slight right lanes.
7
46.4 mi into trip
|
~52m 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
120.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 12m 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
162.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 57m 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
163.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 57m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.86 one way
$59.72 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
66 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $32.48 | $64.97 |
| premium | $4.72 | $34.88 | $69.77 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $41.42 | $82.84 |
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: 65.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 56.3 | 0 | $19.70 | $9.00 |
| Efficient EV | 46.9 | 0 | $16.42 | $7.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 75 | 0 | $26.26 | $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.
Destination
Cape Coral, FL
Afternoon in Cape Coral on Saturday
Local time
2:32 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
7 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
3h 37m 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
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 97.1
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
187.6 mi in 3h 37m, mostly highway — 161.6 mi of that is on I 75.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 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?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Tamiami Trail. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near CR 470.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 187.6 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 0.4 miles (CR 470): Lane positioning matters here; at 46.4 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 120.7 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lake Panasoffkee, FL and Cape Coral, FL, road signs point toward Cr 762: North Fort Myers, Cr 762 West and To Us 41.
Cr 762: North Fort Myers
162.9 mi in
|
~2h 57m
Cr 762 West
163.2 mi in
|
~2h 57m
To Us 41
163.2 mi in
|
~2h 57m
About the Cities
Arriving 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 37m. Total distance: 187.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Cape Coral, FL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (CR 470): Lane positioning matters here; at 46.4 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 120.7 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 7.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Cape Coral, 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.
Was this 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 Lake Panasoffkee, FL or browse trips ending in Cape Coral, FL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse FL road trips.