Origin
Weeki Wachee Gardens, FL
Morning in Weeki Wachee Gardens on Monday
Local time
8:05 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Weeki Wachee Gardens, FL to Cape Coral, FL
Drive Time
3h 53m
Distance
190.2 mi
306 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 41m
★
6 AM
3h 54m
8 AM
4h 20m
10 AM
4h 3m
12 PM
4h 0m
3 PM
4h 4m
5 PM
4h 18m
8 PM
3h 46m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Weeki Wachee Gardens, FL
Matt Fitz Gibaud
Cape Coral, FL
DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ
Trip Overview
The drive from Weeki Wachee Gardens, FL to Cape Coral, FL covers 190.2 miles and takes about 3h 53m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 75, Suncoast Parkway, Tamiami Trail 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 $31.77 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
95.1 miles from Weeki Wachee Gardens, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 58m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 3h 53m highway drive covering 190.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 75 and Suncoast Parkway. 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 26 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 Suncoast Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 11.6 miles in.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 190.2 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 11.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49 miles (I 75): 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.
6
11.6 mi into trip
|
~23m in
Take the exit toward FL 589 Toll South: South Suncoast Parkway, Tampa
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward FL 589 Toll South: South Suncoast Parkwa...
8
36.9 mi into trip
|
~51m in
Take the exit toward FL 54: New Port Richey, Zephyrhills
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 19
Toward FL 54: New Port Richey, Zephyrhills
7
49 mi into trip
|
~1h 8m 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
123.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 28m 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.
7
165.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 14m 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 Along This Route
Between Weeki Wachee Gardens, FL and Cape Coral, FL, road signs point toward Tampa, Zephyrhills, Saint Petersburg, Cr 762: North Fort Myers, Cr 762 West and To Us 41.
Tampa
11.6 mi in
|
~23m
Zephyrhills
36.9 mi in
|
~51m
Saint Petersburg
47.4 mi in
|
~1h 6m
Cr 762: North Fort Myers
165.5 mi in
|
~3h 13m
Cr 762 West
165.8 mi in
|
~3h 14m
To Us 41
165.8 mi in
|
~3h 14m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 117.5 mi | 2h 5m |
| Suncoast Parkway | 24.9 mi | 26m |
| Tamiami Trail | 10.4 mi | 12m |
| State Road 54 | 9.5 mi | 13m |
| Cortez Boulevard | 9.2 mi | 16m |
| Del Prado Boulevard North | 6.5 mi | 10m |
| Del Prado Boulevard South | 6.2 mi | 12m |
| Shoal Line Boulevard | 1.7 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 117.5 mi, about 2h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Weeki Wachee Gardens, FL and Cape Coral, FL.
1
Start on Tuscawilla Drive
86 ft
·
3 sec
·
Tuscawilla Drive
2
Continue on Tuscawilla Drive
0.2 mi
·
47 sec
·
Tuscawilla Drive
3
Continue on Westwind Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Westwind Street
4
Turn left onto Alpaca Drive
372 ft
·
20 sec
·
Alpaca Drive
5
Turn left onto CR 597
1.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Shoal Line Boulevard
6
Turn sharp right onto CR 550
9.2 mi
·
16 min
·
Cortez Boulevard
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Toward FL 589 Toll South: South Suncoast Parkway, Tampa
8
Merge onto FL 589 Toll
25 mi
·
26 min
·
Suncoast Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 19
Toward FL 54: New Port Richey, Zephyrhills
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn straight onto FL 54
9.5 mi
·
13 min
·
State Road 54
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on FL 56
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
State Road 56
Use the left / straight lanes.
12
Continue on FL 56
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
·
FL 56
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn slight right
0.2 mi
·
13 sec
Toward I 75 South: Tampa, Saint Petersburg
14
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
Toward I 75 South: Tampa, Saint Petersburg
15
Merge onto I 75
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
I 75
16
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.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
42 mi
·
45 min
·
I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 158
Toward CR 762: North Fort Myers, Cape Coral
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward CR 762 West, to US 41
20
Turn straight onto CR 762
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Tuckers Grade
21
Turn left onto US 41
10 mi
·
12 min
·
Tamiami Trail
Use the right lane.
22
Turn right onto CR 867A
6.5 mi
·
10 min
·
Del Prado Boulevard North
Use the left lane.
23
Continue on CR 867A
6.2 mi
·
12 min
·
Del Prado Boulevard South
24
Turn right onto Cape Coral Parkway East
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Cape Coral Parkway East
Use the right lane.
25
Turn right
200 ft
·
14 sec
26
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 95.1 miles from Weeki Wachee Gardens, FL, or about 1h 58m 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 80 miles or 1h 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 95.1 miles or 1h 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 3m
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 Weeki Wachee Gardens, 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 Weeki Wachee Gardens, FL
This is one driving day of about 190.2 miles and 3h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Weeki Wachee Gardens, 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 95.1 mi from Weeki Wachee Gardens, FL · 1h 58m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
95 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 95.1 miles from Weeki Wachee Gardens, 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
$31.77 one way
$63.54 round trip
$4.24/gal
25.4 MPG avg
67 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $34.42 | $68.83 |
| premium | $4.90 | $36.66 | $73.32 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $42.26 | $84.51 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.50
Suncoast Parkway
(24.9 mi)
$1.50
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
$32
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 66.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 57.1 | 0 | $19.97 | $9.13 |
| Efficient EV | 47.6 | 0 | $16.64 | $7.61 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 76.1 | 0 | $26.63 | $12.17 |
Gas CO2
67 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
Morning in Cape Coral on Monday
Local time
8:05 AM
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
14 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 53m 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 Weeki Wachee Gardens, FL to Cape Coral, FL covers 190.2 miles and takes about 3h 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, Suncoast Parkway, Tamiami Trail. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 95.1 miles from Weeki Wachee Gardens, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $31.77 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 18 significant decision points across 190.2 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 11.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Weeki Wachee Gardens, FL and Cape Coral, FL, road signs point toward Tampa, Zephyrhills, Saint Petersburg, Cr 762: North Fort Myers, Cr 762 West and To Us 41.
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Return Trip
Cape Coral, FL to Weeki Wachee Gardens, FLPlan the drive back the other way.
190.5 mi
3h 56m
Continue From Cape Coral, FL
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