Origin
Shady Hills, FL
Afternoon in Shady Hills on Thursday
Local time
3:01 PM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Shady Hills, FL to Cape Coral, FL
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 25m
Distance
166.6 mi
268 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 13m
★
6 AM
3h 25m
8 AM
3h 50m
10 AM
3h 34m
12 PM
3h 32m
3 PM
3h 35m
5 PM
3h 49m
8 PM
3h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Shady Hills, FL
Jose Valverde
Cape Coral, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Shady Hills, FL to Cape Coral, FL covers 166.6 miles and takes about 3h 25m 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, Land O' Lakes Boulevard for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 117.5 miles on I 75. At current regular gas prices, budget about $26.52 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
83.3 miles from Shady Hills, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 42m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 25m. Total distance: 166.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (71%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 25m highway drive covering 166.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 75 and Tamiami Trail. The longest continuous stretch is about 117.5 miles on I 75.
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 117.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 25.3 miles in near I 75.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 166.6 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 25.3 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 99.6 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 141.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
25.3 mi into trip
|
~40m 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
99.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 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
141.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 45m 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
142.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 46m 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
6
153.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 1m in
|
CR 867A / Del Prado Boulevard North
Turn right onto CR 867A / Del Prado Boulevard North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Shady Hills, FL and Cape Coral, FL, road signs point toward Saint Petersburg, Cr 762: North Fort Myers, Cr 762 West and To Us 41.
Saint Petersburg
23.7 mi in
|
~38m
Cr 762: North Fort Myers
141.8 mi in
|
~2h 45m
Cr 762 West
142.1 mi in
|
~2h 46m
To Us 41
142.1 mi in
|
~2h 46m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 117.5 mi | 2h 5m |
| Tamiami Trail | 10.4 mi | 12m |
| Land O' Lakes Boulevard | 9.9 mi | 14m |
| Del Prado Boulevard North | 6.5 mi | 10m |
| Del Prado Boulevard South | 6.2 mi | 12m |
| Shady Hills Road | 5.7 mi | 9m |
| State Road 54 | 4.4 mi | 6m |
| State Road 52 | 2.5 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 117.5 mi, about 2h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Shady Hills, FL and Cape Coral, FL.
1
Start on Dalberg Drive
137 ft
·
11 sec
·
Dalberg Drive
2
Turn left onto Monteverde Drive
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Monteverde Drive
3
Turn right onto Bosley Drive
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Bosley Drive
4
At end of road, turn left onto Shady Hills Road
5.7 mi
·
9 min
·
Shady Hills Road
5
At end of road, turn left onto FL 52
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
State Road 52
Use the left lane.
6
Turn right onto US 41
9.9 mi
·
14 min
·
Land O' Lakes Boulevard
Use the right lane.
7
Turn left onto FL 54
4.4 mi
·
6 min
·
State Road 54
Use the left lane.
8
Continue on FL 56
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
State Road 56
Use the left / straight lanes.
9
Continue on FL 56
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
·
FL 56
Use the straight lane.
10
Turn slight right
0.2 mi
·
13 sec
Toward I 75 South: Tampa, Saint Petersburg
11
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
Toward I 75 South: Tampa, Saint Petersburg
12
Merge onto I 75
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
I 75
13
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.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
42 mi
·
45 min
·
I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 158
Toward CR 762: North Fort Myers, Cape Coral
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward CR 762 West, to US 41
17
Turn straight onto CR 762
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Tuckers Grade
18
Turn left onto US 41
10 mi
·
12 min
·
Tamiami Trail
Use the right lane.
19
Turn right onto CR 867A
6.5 mi
·
10 min
·
Del Prado Boulevard North
Use the left lane.
20
Continue on CR 867A
6.2 mi
·
12 min
·
Del Prado Boulevard South
21
Turn right onto Cape Coral Parkway East
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Cape Coral Parkway East
Use the right lane.
22
Turn right
200 ft
·
14 sec
23
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 83.3 miles from Shady Hills, FL, or about 1h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 117.5 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 37 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.3 miles or 1h 42m 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 39m
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 Shady Hills, 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 Shady Hills, FL
This is one driving day of about 166.6 miles and 3h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Shady Hills, 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 117.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 83.3 mi from Shady Hills, FL · 1h 42m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
83 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 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 83.3 miles from Shady Hills, 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 117.5 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
$26.52 one way
$53.04 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
58 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $28.85 | $57.69 |
| premium | $4.72 | $30.98 | $61.96 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $36.78 | $73.57 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50 | 0 | $17.49 | $8.00 |
| Efficient EV | 41.7 | 0 | $14.58 | $6.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 66.6 | 0 | $23.32 | $10.66 |
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 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 Thursday
Local time
3:01 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
18 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
3h 25m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Shady Hills, FL to Cape Coral, FL covers 166.6 miles and takes about 3h 25m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, Tamiami Trail, Land O' Lakes Boulevard. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 83.3 miles from Shady Hills, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.52 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 166.6 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 25.3 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 99.6 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 141.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Shady Hills, FL and Cape Coral, FL, road signs point toward Saint Petersburg, Cr 762: North Fort Myers, Cr 762 West and To Us 41.
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