Alachua to Cape Coral is 264.2 miles and takes about 5h 10m via I 75 and Tamiami Trail, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, moving from the northern part of the state down towards the southwest coast. Given its mostly highway profile and manageable duration, it's a straightforward drive for a single day. You'll spend the majority of your time on the interstate, making it a relatively efficient way to cover the distance.
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
132.1 miles from Alachua, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 34m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
225 mi
4h 1m
Tamiami Trail
10.4 mi
12m
Del Prado Boulevard North
6.5 mi
10m
Del Prado Boulevard South
6.2 mi
12m
Northwest 43rd Street
4.9 mi
8m
Southwest 34th Street
3.3 mi
6m
ML King Memorial Highway
2.1 mi
2m
Northwest 16th Boulevard
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 225 mi, about 4h 1m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 61 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~3,637 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,345
Quietest
2 AM
~376 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alachua, FL and Cape Coral, FL.
1
Start on Palmetto Boulevard
461 ft·22 sec·Palmetto Boulevard
2
Turn right onto Northwest 105th Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·Northwest 105th Avenue
3
At end of road, turn left onto Creek Drive
0.4 mi·1 min·Creek Drive
4
Turn right onto Palmetto Boulevard
0.6 mi·2 min·Palmetto Boulevard
5
Turn left onto Turkey Creek Boulevard
0.1 mi·39 sec·Turkey Creek Boulevard
6
Turn right onto US 441
2.1 mi·2 min·ML King Memorial Highway
7
Turn right onto Northwest 43rd Street
4.9 mi·8 min·Northwest 43rd Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
Turn left onto Northwest 16th Boulevard
1.1 mi·2 min·Northwest 16th Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Turn right onto FL 121
1.0 mi·2 min·Northwest 34th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Continue on FL 121
3.3 mi·6 min·Southwest 34th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Turn right onto FL 121
0.3 mi·30 sec·Southwest Williston Road
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward I 75 South: Tampa
13
Merge onto I 75
109 mi·1 hr 56 min·I 75
Use the straight lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
74 mi·1 hr 19 min·I 75
Toward South I 75: NaplesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
42 mi·45 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Exit 158Toward CR 762: North Fort Myers, Cape Coral
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward CR 762 West, to US 41
18
Turn straight onto CR 762
0.9 mi·1 min·Tuckers Grade
19
Turn left onto US 41
10 mi·12 min·Tamiami Trail
Use the right lane.
20
Turn right onto CR 867A
6.5 mi·10 min·Del Prado Boulevard North
Use the left lane.
21
Continue on CR 867A
6.2 mi·12 min·Del Prado Boulevard South
22
Turn right onto Cape Coral Parkway East
0.3 mi·41 sec·Cape Coral Parkway East
Use the right lane.
23
Turn right
200 ft·14 sec
24
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour drive, consider leaving Alachua in the morning after breakfast to arrive in Cape Coral in the afternoon. With only one recommended stop and most of the drive on I 75, you can easily complete this trip in one day. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 225-mile stretch on I 75, as services can be more spread out between exits. The approximate fuel cost is $42, so budget accordingly for your tank.
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 132.1 miles from Alachua, FL, or about 2h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 225 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 58 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.1 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 5m
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 Alachua, 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 Alachua, FL
This is one driving day of about 264.2 miles and 5h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Alachua, 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 225 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 122.9 and 251.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
122.9 mi into trip|~2h 25m 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
197.2 mi into trip|~3h 44m 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
239.4 mi into trip|~4h 29m 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
239.7 mi into trip|~4h 30m 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
251.2 mi into trip|~4h 45m in|CR 867A / Del Prado Boulevard North
Turn right onto CR 867A / Del Prado Boulevard North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.99 one way
$79.99 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$43.88
$87.77
premium
$4.55
$47.33
$94.65
diesel
$4.80
$49.89
$99.77
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.3
0
$27.74
$12.68
Efficient EV
66.1
0
$23.12
$10.57
EV Truck/SUV
105.7
1
$36.99
$16.91
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Alachua, FL
Morning
in Alachua on Sunday
Local time
6:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Patchy Fog
S 2 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 17 at 3:45AM EDT until July 18 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Destination
Cape Coral, FL
Morning
in Cape Coral on Sunday
Local time
6:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 5 mph18% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 17 at 3:45AM EDT until July 18 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
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
4 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 10m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
De Soto National Memorial
National Memorial
In May 1539, Conquistador Hernando de Soto’s army of soldiers, hired mercenaries, craftsmen, and clergy made landfall in Tampa Bay. They were met with fierce resistance of indigenous people protecting...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 173.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 85% highway, so expect a lot of time on interstates. The longest continuous stretch you'll cover is 225 miles on I 75. After this segment, you'll transition to surface roads like Tamiami Trail and Del Prado Boulevard North for the final portion of your drive. Be prepared for a more urban feel with frequent exits and intersections as you approach Cape Coral.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 225 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 122.9 miles in near I 75.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 264.2 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 122.9 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 197.2 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 239.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
139 ft5 ft
Total Climb
75 ft
Total Descent
209 ft
Highest Point
139 ft
Elevation Range
134 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Alachua, FL and Cape Coral, FL, road signs point toward Cr 762: North Fort Myers, Cr 762 West and To Us 41.
Cape Coral is a city in Southwest Florida. Visitors are drawn by its beaches, nature trails and sea kayaking opportunities on Black Island in Lovers Key State Park.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 10m. Total distance: 264.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 225 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Cape Coral, FL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 122.9 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 197.2 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 239.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — De Soto National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Cape Coral, FL before the return drive.
