Trip from Westwood Lake, FL to Cape Coral, FL

Drive Time

2h 56m

Distance

149.1 mi

240 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min

4 AM

2h 45m ★

6 AM

2h 56m

8 AM

3h 19m

10 AM

3h 4m

12 PM

3h 2m

3 PM

3h 5m

5 PM

3h 17m

8 PM

2h 49m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Westwood Lake, FL

Matt Fitz Gibaud

Cape Coral, FL

DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ

Trip Overview

The drive from Westwood Lake, FL to Cape Coral, FL covers 149.1 miles and takes about 2h 56m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Alligator Alley, Okeechobee Road, Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 106.6 miles on Alligator Alley. At current regular gas prices, budget about $24.91 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

74.6 miles from Westwood Lake, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 28m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a 2h 56m drive with frequent turns across 149.1 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Alligator Alley is the longest continuous segment at about 106.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Southwest 112th Avenue.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 149.1 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 0.2 miles (Southwest 112th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 12.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 19 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

0.2 mi into trip | ~1m in | Southwest 112th Avenue

Turn right onto Southwest 112th Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

1 mi into trip | ~2m in

Take the ramp toward Florida's Turnpike Toll North

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll North

12.6 mi into trip | ~16m in

Take the exit toward US 27: Okeechobee Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Exit 35 Toward US 27: Okeechobee Road

138.2 mi into trip | ~2h 36m 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

138.6 mi into trip | ~2h 37m 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 Along This Route

Between Westwood Lake, FL and Cape Coral, FL, road signs point toward Fort Lauderdale, Naples, Cr 876: Cape Coral, Cr 876 West: Lee County Sports Complex, Florida Southwestern State College and Cr 876 West.

Fort Lauderdale

30.5 mi in | ~39m

Naples

30.5 mi in | ~39m

Cr 876: Cape Coral

138.2 mi in | ~2h 36m

Cr 876 West: Lee County Sports Complex

138.6 mi in | ~2h 37m

Florida Southwestern State College

138.6 mi in | ~2h 37m

Cr 876 West

138.7 mi in | ~2h 37m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Alligator Alley	106.6 mi	1h 54m
Okeechobee Road	17.6 mi	22m
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike	10.9 mi	12m
Daniels Parkway	4.8 mi	8m
College Parkway	3.2 mi	5m
Cape Coral Parkway East	1 mi	2m
South Cleveland Avenue	0.7 mi	1m
Cape Coral Bridge Road	0.7 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Alligator Alley — 106.6 mi, about 1h 54m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Westwood Lake, FL and Cape Coral, FL.

Start on Southwest 42nd Street

0.1 mi · 32 sec · Southwest 42nd Street

At end of road, turn right onto Southwest 111th Avenue

201 ft · 14 sec · Southwest 111th Avenue

Turn left onto Southwest 41st Terrace

258 ft · 15 sec · Southwest 41st Terrace

Turn right onto Southwest 112th Avenue

0.2 mi · 22 sec · Southwest 112th Avenue

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn left onto SR 976

0.5 mi · 1 min · Southwest 40th Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn right onto Southwest 117th Avenue

0.2 mi · 28 sec · Southwest 117th Avenue

Take the ramp

0.6 mi · 1 min

Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll North Use the left lane.

Merge onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike

11 mi · 12 min · Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec

Exit 35 Toward US 27: Okeechobee Road Use the right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 15 sec

Toward US 27: Okeechobee Road

Merge onto US 27

18 mi · 22 min · Okeechobee Road

Use the right lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec

Toward I 75: Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Naples

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min

Toward I 75 North: Naples

Merge onto I 75

107 mi · 1 hr 54 min · Alligator Alley

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec

Exit 131 Toward CR 876: Cape Coral Use the slight right lane.

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.

Turn left

116 ft · 5 sec

Toward CR 876 West

Turn left onto CR 876

4.8 mi · 8 min · Daniels Parkway

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto US 41

0.7 mi · 1 min · South Cleveland Avenue

Turn left onto College Parkway

3.2 mi · 5 min · College Parkway

Use the left lane.

Continue on Cape Coral Bridge Road

0.7 mi · 1 min · Cape Coral Bridge Road

Continue on Cape Coral Parkway East

1.0 mi · 2 min · Cape Coral Parkway East

Turn right

200 ft · 14 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

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 74.6 miles from Westwood Lake, FL, or about 1h 28m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 106.6 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 80 miles or 1h 33m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 74.6 miles or 1h 28m 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 19m

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 Westwood Lake, 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 Westwood Lake, FL

This is one driving day of about 149.1 miles and 2h 56m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Westwood Lake, 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 Alligator Alley for about 106.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 74.6 mi from Westwood Lake, FL · 1h 28m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bonita Springs, FL

75 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.

Popular next leg

Bonita Springs, FL to Cape Coral, FL

21.8 mi · 39m

Pacing Suggestions

Bonita Springs, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bonita Springs, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 74.6 miles from Westwood Lake, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Alligator Alley if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 106.6 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Biscayne National Park

National Park

Within sight of Miami, yet worlds away, Biscayne protects a rare combination of aquamarine waters, emerald islands, and fish-bejeweled coral reefs. Evidence of 10,000 years of human history is here to...

19 mi from route ~48 min detour Free

Caution: Boater Awareness

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$24.91 one way

$49.81 round trip

$4.24/gal 25.4 MPG avg 52 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.60	$26.98	$53.96
premium	$4.90	$28.74	$57.48
diesel	$5.64	$33.12	$66.25

Estimated Tolls: $0.65

Homestead Extension (10.9 mi) $0.65

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

$25

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$51–$76

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 52.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	44.7	$15.66	$7.16
Efficient EV	37.3	$13.05	$5.96
EV Truck/SUV	59.6	$20.87	$9.54

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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 hours ago

Origin

Westwood Lake, FL

Afternoon in Westwood Lake on Monday

Local time

12:45 PM

EDT

Current temp

80°F

Sunny

E 14 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 13 at 5:08AM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL

Rip Current Statement

Rip Current Statement issued April 13 at 3:09AM EDT until April 14 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL

Destination

Cape Coral, FL

Afternoon in Cape Coral on Monday

Local time

12:45 PM

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

13 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 56m 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 Westwood Lake, FL to Cape Coral, FL covers 149.1 miles and takes about 2h 56m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Alligator Alley, Okeechobee Road, Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 74.6 miles from Westwood Lake, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.91 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.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

Cape Coral, FL to Westwood Lake, FL

Plan the drive back the other way.

148.6 mi 2h 54m

Explore more options from Westwood Lake, FL or browse trips ending in Cape Coral, FL.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse FL road trips.

Explore maps for Westwood Lake, FL or Cape Coral, FL on MapSof.net.

Trip from Westwood Lake, FL to Cape Coral, FL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Cape Coral, FL

National Parks Near This Route

Biscayne National Park

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Westwood Lake, FL

Cape Coral, FL

Same local time

13 degrees cooler at arrival

2h 56m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Was this route helpful?

Explore More

Continue From Cape Coral, FL

More from Westwood Lake, FL

More trips to Cape Coral, FL