Bunnell to Cape Coral is 234.8 miles and takes about 5h 14m via US 17 and I-4, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, making it a straightforward drive for those already in the state. Expect a predominantly highway experience, which means you'll cover ground efficiently. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, it's a manageable single-day excursion.
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
117.4 miles from Bunnell, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 17
84.7 mi
1h 59m
I 4
82 mi
1h 35m
I 95
11.1 mi
12m
Tamiami Trail
10.4 mi
12m
Del Prado Boulevard North
6.5 mi
10m
CR 557
6.4 mi
9m
US Highway 1
6.3 mi
7m
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 Bunnell, FL and Cape Coral, FL.
1
Start on US 1; FL 100
0.1 mi·19 sec·State Street
2
Continue on US 1; FL 100
5.7 mi·7 min·State Street
3
Enter roundabout onto US 1
115 ft·2 sec·US Highway 1
4
Continue on US 1
6.3 mi·7 min·US Highway 1
Use the left lane.
5
Turn left
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward I 95 South: Miami
6
Merge onto I 95
11 mi·12 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
Given the 5h 14m estimated drive time, starting in the morning from Bunnell will allow you to reach Cape Coral with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop and a short overall duration, you have flexibility in when and where you choose to pause. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 84.7-mile stretch on US 17, to ensure you don't need to detour significantly for gas. The total fuel cost is estimated at $37, which is helpful for budgeting.
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 117.4 miles from Bunnell, FL, or about 2h 24m 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 52 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117.4 miles or 2h 24m 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 11m
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 Bunnell, 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 Bunnell, FL
This is one driving day of about 234.8 miles and 5h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Bunnell, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 23.4 and 210.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
23.4 mi into trip|~28m 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
25 mi into trip|~31m 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
72.6 mi into trip|~1h 26m 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
108.7 mi into trip|~2h 10m 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
210.3 mi into trip|~4h 34m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.37 one way
$74.75 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg82 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$40.66
$81.31
premium
$4.72
$43.66
$87.32
diesel
$5.61
$51.84
$103.68
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70.4
0
$24.65
$11.27
Efficient EV
58.7
0
$20.54
$9.39
EV Truck/SUV
93.9
1
$32.87
$15.03
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
27 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 18, 2026
Origin
Bunnell, FL
Late night
in Bunnell on Sunday
Local time
12:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Sunny
E 8 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 18 at 2:06PM EDT until April 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Fire Weather Watch
Fire Weather Watch issued April 18 at 2:06PM EDT until April 20 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Destination
Cape Coral, FL
Late night
in Cape Coral on Sunday
Local time
12:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Sunny
WSW 9 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 18 at 2:06PM EDT until April 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Fire Weather Watch
Fire Weather Watch issued April 18 at 2:06PM EDT until April 20 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
62°F
Eagle Lake, FL
117 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
2 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
5h 14m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly highway, with 84% of the 234.8 miles on high-speed roads like US 17 and I-4. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 84.7 miles on US 17, offering a chance for more consistent cruising. The drive transitions to surface roads as you approach your destination, so be prepared for more local traffic and exits. The high percentage of highway driving suggests frequent on- and off-ramps for much of the trip.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 84.7 mi on US 17.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 23.4 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 234.8 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 23.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 72.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Bunnell, FL and Cape Coral, FL, road signs point toward Orlando, International Airport, International Speedway, Daytona, Cr 557: Lake Alfred and Winter Haven - among others.
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 14m. Total distance: 234.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 84.7 miles on US 17. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 14 rest areas or service plazas 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 14 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 23.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 72.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.5 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.
