Origin
Pompano Beach, FL
Morning in Pompano Beach on Friday
Local time
6:33 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Pompano Beach, FL to Cape Coral, FL
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 51m
Distance
147.6 mi
238 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 41m
★
6 AM
2h 52m
8 AM
3h 14m
10 AM
2h 59m
12 PM
2h 57m
3 PM
3h 1m
5 PM
3h 13m
8 PM
2h 45m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pompano Beach, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Cape Coral, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 147.6-mile drive from Pompano Beach to Cape Coral, Florida, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 2 hours and 51 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-75, this route is highly focused on highway travel, with 94% of the drive on major roads. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $23. Given its relatively short duration and highway-centric profile, it's an ideal day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure and arrival times. You'll spend most of your time on the interstate, making for an efficient transit across Florida.
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
73.8 miles from Pompano Beach, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 24m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 51m. Total distance: 147.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with a substantial 94% of the journey taking place on interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is an impressive 112.3 miles on I-75, meaning extended periods of consistent driving. This profile suggests a consistent pace and minimal deviations from major roadways. While not explicitly scenic, the efficiency of this highway-focused drive allows for a quick and direct transition between the two Florida destinations.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 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 112.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Port Everglades Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Northwest 8th Street.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 147.6 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 0.1 miles (Northwest 8th Street): Navigation decision point; at 7.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.3 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Northwest 8th Street
At end of road, turn right onto Northwest 8th Street
Navigation decision point
6
7.8 mi into trip
|
~11m in
Take the exit toward Express Lanes Entrance
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Express Lanes Entrance
6
14.3 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
136.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 31m 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
8
137 mi into trip
|
~2h 32m 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 Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Pompano Beach, FL and Cape Coral, FL, road signs point toward Express Lanes Entrance, Cr 876: Cape Coral, Cr 876 West: Lee County Sports Complex, Florida Southwestern State College and Cr 876 West.
Express Lanes Entrance
7.8 mi in
|
~11m
Cr 876: Cape Coral
136.7 mi in
|
~2h 31m
Cr 876 West: Lee County Sports Complex
137 mi in
|
~2h 32m
Florida Southwestern State College
137 mi in
|
~2h 32m
Cr 876 West
137.1 mi in
|
~2h 32m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 112.3 mi | 2h |
| Port Everglades Expressway | 11.6 mi | 13m |
| I 95 | 6 mi | 6m |
| Daniels Parkway | 4.8 mi | 8m |
| 95 Express | 4 mi | 4m |
| College Parkway | 3.2 mi | 5m |
| Cape Coral Parkway East | 1 mi | 2m |
| West Atlantic Boulevard | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 112.3 mi, about 2h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pompano Beach, FL and Cape Coral, FL.
1
Start on this road
77 ft
·
7 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right
362 ft
·
28 sec
3
At end of road, turn right onto Northwest 8th Street
253 ft
·
15 sec
·
Northwest 8th Street
4
Turn right onto SR 811
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Dixie Highway
5
Turn right onto SR 814
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West Atlantic Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Toward I 95 South: Miami
Use the left lane.
7
Merge onto I 95
6.0 mi
·
6 min
·
I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
369 ft
·
9 sec
Toward Express Lanes Entrance
Use the slight left lane.
9
Merge onto I 95
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
95 Express
10
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 595 West: I 75, Turnpike
11
Merge onto I 595
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Port Everglades Expressway
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 595
10 mi
·
11 min
·
Port Everglades Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 75
112 mi
·
2 hr
·
I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 131
Toward CR 876: Cape Coral
Use the slight right lane.
15
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.
16
Turn left
116 ft
·
5 sec
Toward CR 876 West
17
Turn left onto CR 876
4.8 mi
·
8 min
·
Daniels Parkway
Use the left lane.
18
Turn right onto US 41
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Cleveland Avenue
19
Turn left onto College Parkway
3.2 mi
·
5 min
·
College Parkway
Use the left lane.
20
Continue on Cape Coral Bridge Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Cape Coral Bridge Road
21
Continue on Cape Coral Parkway East
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Cape Coral Parkway East
22
Turn right
200 ft
·
14 sec
23
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour and 51-minute drive, leaving Pompano Beach at your convenience is feasible given its manageable length. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost of approximately $23, planning is minimal. The vast majority of your travel will be on I-75, so ensure you are comfortable with extended highway stretches. A practical tip for this route is to be mindful of potential traffic congestion on I-75 as you approach the Cape Coral area, especially during peak commuting hours.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 73.8 miles from Pompano Beach, FL, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 112.3 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 32 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 73.8 miles or 1h 24m 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 15m
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 Pompano Beach, 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 Pompano Beach, FL
This is one driving day of about 147.6 miles and 2h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Pompano Beach, 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 112.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 73.8 mi from Pompano Beach, FL · 1h 24m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
74 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 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 73.8 miles from Pompano Beach, 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 112.3 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
$23.49 one way
$46.99 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
52 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $25.56 | $51.11 |
| premium | $4.72 | $27.45 | $54.89 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $32.59 | $65.18 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 44.3 | 0 | $15.50 | $7.08 |
| Efficient EV | 36.9 | 0 | $12.92 | $5.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 59 | 0 | $20.66 | $9.45 |
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 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
Morning in Cape Coral on Friday
Local time
6:33 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Partly Cloudy
ESE 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
68°F
Golden Gate, FL
74 mi in
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
1 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
2h 51m 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 Pompano Beach, FL to Cape Coral, FL covers 147.6 miles and takes about 2h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, Port Everglades Expressway, I 95. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 73.8 miles from Pompano Beach, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.49 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 147.6 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Northwest 8th Street): Navigation decision point; at 7.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.3 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Pompano Beach, FL and Cape Coral, FL, road signs point toward Express Lanes Entrance, Cr 876: Cape Coral, Cr 876 West: Lee County Sports Complex, Florida Southwestern State College and Cr 876 West.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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