The drive from Saint Augustine Shores, FL to Cape Coral, FL covers 258.6 miles and takes about 5h 41m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 17, I 4, I 95 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 84.7 miles on US 17.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $41.16 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
129.3 miles from Saint Augustine Shores, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 34m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 41m. Total distance: 258.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 41m highway drive covering 258.6 miles, with most of the trip on US 17 and I 4. The longest continuous stretch is about 84.7 miles on US 17.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 37 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 17 is the longest continuous segment at about 84.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 17 and I 4. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 47.2 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 22 significant decision points across 258.6 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 47.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 96.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
47.2 mi into trip|~56m in
Take the exit toward I 4, US 92, FL 400: Daytona Beach, Orlando, International Airport, International Speedway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 260C-B-A
Toward I 4, US 92, FL 400: Daytona Beach, Orlan...
8
48.8 mi into trip|~59m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 4 West: Orlando
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 260B
Toward I 4 West: Orlando
7
96.4 mi into trip|~1h 53m in
Take the exit toward Ivanhoe Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 84B
Toward Ivanhoe Boulevard
8
132.5 mi into trip|~2h 38m in
Take the exit toward CR 557: Lake Alfred, Winter Haven
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 48
Toward CR 557: Lake Alfred, Winter Haven
7
234.1 mi into trip|~5h 2m 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Saint Augustine Shores, FL and Cape Coral, FL, road signs point toward Orlando, International Airport, International Speedway, Daytona, Cr 557: Lake Alfred and Winter Haven - among others.
Orlando
47.2 mi in|~56m
International Airport
47.2 mi in|~56m
International Speedway
47.2 mi in|~56m
Daytona
47.6 mi in|~57m
Cr 557: Lake Alfred
132.5 mi in|~2h 38m
Winter Haven
132.5 mi in|~2h 38m
Cr 762: North Fort Myers
233.8 mi in|~5h 1m
Cr 762 West
234.1 mi in|~5h 2m
To Us 41
234.1 mi in|~5h 2m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 17
84.7 mi
1h 59m
I 4
82 mi
1h 35m
I 95
35.3 mi
38m
US 1
10.5 mi
13m
Tamiami Trail
10.4 mi
12m
Del Prado Boulevard North
6.5 mi
10m
CR 557
6.4 mi
9m
Del Prado Boulevard South
6.2 mi
12m
Longest stretch:
US 17
— 84.7 mi, about 1h 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Augustine Shores, FL and Cape Coral, FL.
1
Start on Entero Lane
140 ft·11 sec·Entero Lane
2
Turn left onto Deltona Boulevard
0.6 mi·2 min·Deltona Boulevard
3
Turn left onto Andora Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Andora Street
4
Turn left onto US 1
11 mi·13 min·US 1
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I 95 South: Miami
6
Merge onto I 95
35 mi·38 min·I 95
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 260C-B-A Toward I 4, US 92, FL 400: Daytona Beach, Orlando, International Airport, International SpeedwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on this road
513 ft·12 sec·this road
Exit 260 C B AToward I 4, US 92, FL 400: Daytona Beach, Orlando
9
Keep slight left at fork
1.3 mi·1 min
Toward I 4, FL 400: Orlando, South Daytona
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 260BToward I 4 West: OrlandoUse the slight right lane.
11
Continue on I 4
37 mi·40 min·I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 4
10 mi·13 min·I 4
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 84BToward Ivanhoe BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
14
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·1 min·this road
Toward I 4 West: Tampa
15
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·34 sec·this road
Toward I 4 West: Tampa
16
Merge onto I 4
35 mi·41 min·I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 48Toward CR 557: Lake Alfred, Winter HavenUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn slight left onto CR 557
6.4 mi·9 min·CR 557
19
Turn right onto US 17; US 92
0.6 mi·1 min·Shinn Boulevard
20
Continue on US 17; US 92
0.6 mi·1 min·Lake Shore Way
21
Turn straight onto US 17
3.7 mi·6 min·US 17
Use the left / straight lanes.
22
Continue on US 17
2.2 mi·4 min·6th Street Southwest
23
Continue on US 17
39 mi·55 min·US 17
Use the left lane.
24
Continue on US 17
1.1 mi·1 min·US 17
25
Continue on US 17
2.5 mi·2 min·US 17
26
Continue on US 17
39 mi·52 min·US 17
Use the right lane.
27
Turn left
0.4 mi·58 sec
Toward I 75 South: Naples
28
Merge onto I 75
5.8 mi·6 min·I 75
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Exit 158Toward CR 762: North Fort Myers, Cape Coral
30
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward CR 762 West, to US 41
31
Turn straight onto CR 762
0.9 mi·1 min·Tuckers Grade
32
Turn left onto US 41
10 mi·12 min·Tamiami Trail
Use the right lane.
33
Turn right onto CR 867A
6.5 mi·10 min·Del Prado Boulevard North
Use the left lane.
34
Continue on CR 867A
6.2 mi·12 min·Del Prado Boulevard South
35
Turn right onto Cape Coral Parkway East
0.3 mi·41 sec·Cape Coral Parkway East
Use the right lane.
36
Turn right
200 ft·14 sec
37
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 129.3 miles from Saint Augustine Shores, FL, or about 2h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.7 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 57 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 129.3 miles or 2h 34m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 33m
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 Saint Augustine Shores, 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 Saint Augustine Shores, FL
This is one driving day of about 258.6 miles and 5h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Saint Augustine Shores, 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 US 17 for about 84.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 129.3 mi from Saint Augustine Shores, FL
· 2h 34m 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.
Fort Matanzas National Monument
National Monument
Fort Matanzas National Monument preserves the fortified coquina watchtower, completed in 1742, which defended the southern approach to the Spanish military settlement of St. Augustine. It also protect...
Built by the Spanish in St. Augustine to defend Florida and the Atlantic trade route, Castillo de San Marcos National Monument preserves the oldest masonry fortification in the continental United Stat...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.16 one way
$82.32 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg91 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$44.78
$89.55
premium
$4.72
$48.09
$96.17
diesel
$5.61
$57.10
$114.19
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
77.6
0
$27.15
$12.41
Efficient EV
64.7
0
$22.63
$10.34
EV Truck/SUV
103.4
1
$36.20
$16.55
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 16, 2026
Origin
Saint Augustine Shores, FL
Late night
in Saint Augustine Shores on Saturday
Local time
5:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cape Coral, FL
Late night
in Cape Coral on Saturday
Local time
5:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
62°F
Eagle Lake, FL
129 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
6 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
5h 41m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Saint Augustine Shores, FL to Cape Coral, FL covers 258.6 miles and takes about 5h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 17, I 4, 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 129.3 miles from Saint Augustine Shores, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $41.16 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 258.6 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 47.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 96.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Saint Augustine Shores, FL and Cape Coral, FL, road signs point toward Orlando, International Airport, International Speedway, Daytona, Cr 557: Lake Alfred and Winter Haven - among others.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Fort Matanzas National Monument and Castillo de San Marcos National Monument.
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.
