Perk & Brew
Near the start, right off the route
Cape Coral, Florida
Hours: 8 AM–2 PM
+12395426080
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 22, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
9h 30m
Distance
497.1 mi
800 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$80
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cape Coral, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Cedar Grove, FL
Olga Lioncat
Cape Coral, FL to Cedar Grove, FL is 497.1 miles and takes about 9h 30m via I-75 and I-10, with a fuel budget near $76 and enough daylight to finish in a day, though it's best broken into two days. This trip primarily travels north through Florida, sticking to major interstates for most of the journey. Given its length and mostly highway profile, it’s a straightforward drive, ideal if you want to cover ground efficiently. Plan for two recommended days to make the most of the drive without feeling rushed.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
248.6 miles from Cape Coral, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 41m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 276.8 mi | 4h 57m |
| I 10 | 121.8 mi | 2h 10m |
| FL 20 | 28.4 mi | 39m |
| US 231 | 21.3 mi | 27m |
| Bristol Highway | 17.7 mi | 23m |
| North Tamiami Trail | 10.4 mi | 12m |
| Del Prado Boulevard North | 6.5 mi | 10m |
| Del Prado Boulevard South | 5.2 mi | 10m |
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 122 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~3,429 veh/hr typical · worst 4,332
Quietest
2 AM
~369 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
Averaged across 103 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Step-by-step road directions between Cape Coral, FL and Cedar Grove, FL.
Start on this road
Turn right onto Cape Coral Parkway East
Turn right onto Vincennes Boulevard
Enter roundabout onto Vincennes Boulevard
Continue on Vincennes Boulevard
Turn right onto Coronado Parkway
Turn left onto CR 867A
Continue on CR 867A
Turn left onto US 41
Turn right onto CR 762
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 75
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 10
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn straight onto FL 12
Continue on FL 12
Turn left onto FL 12
Continue on FL 12
At end of road, turn right onto FL 20
Turn left onto US 231
Turn left onto FL 389
Arrive at destination
With a total driving time of 9 hours and 30 minutes, it's highly recommended to split this trip over two days. Aim to depart Cape Coral in the morning to make good progress on I-75. Your longest stretch without a major change in direction is 276.8 miles on I-75, so factor in a fuel and rest stop before reaching that point. Cedar Grove is in a more rural area, so ensure you have enough fuel before you get too far off the main interstate in the final leg of your drive.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 109 miles or 2h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 248.6 miles or 4h 41m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 248.6 miles or 4h 41m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 8h 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cedar Grove, FL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Cape Coral, 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.
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Cape Coral, FL
Aim for roughly 249 miles and 4.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Cedar Grove, FL
Aim for roughly 249 miles and 4.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
249 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Gainesville, FLNight 1
249 mi · about 4.8h in
A practical overnight split lands near Gainesville, FL after about 249 miles or 4.8 hours of driving.
Find hotelsA short stop after about 109 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 248.6 miles from Cape Coral, 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 276.8 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 249 miles or 4.8 hours on the road.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Best meal stop
Cape Coral, Florida
Near the start, right off the route
Hours: 8 AM–2 PM
+12395426080
Jungle Bird Tiki
Cape Coral, Florida
Bread Pete
Cape Coral, Florida
Best coffee break · first break window
Punta Gorda, Florida
Near the start, short detour
Hours: 7:30 AM–4 PM
+19417696900
Mudslide Coffee
Punta Gorda, Florida
Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii
Lutz, Florida
Near the start, right off the route
Cape Coral, Florida
Hours: 8 AM–2 PM
+12395426080
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Cape Coral, Florida
Hours: 12–10 PM
+12394714111
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Cape Coral, Florida
Hours: 7 AM–2 PM
+12394717420
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Wesley Chapel, Florida
Hours: 8 AM–2 PM
+18139949666
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Wesley Chapel, Florida
Hours: 10 AM–9 PM
+18139910350
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Tampa, Florida
Hours: 11 AM–8 PM
+18133040205
Visit websiteNear the start, ~9 min detour
Cape Coral, Florida
Hours: 5–10 PM
+12396739939
Visit websiteNear the start, ~9 min detour
Fort Myers, Florida
Hours: 7:30 AM–5:30 PM
+12392672691
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Punta Gorda, Florida
Hours: 7:30 AM–4 PM
+19417696900
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Punta Gorda, Florida
Hours: 7:30 AM–7 PM
+12154946922
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, right off the route
Lutz, Florida
Hours: 6 am–6 pm
+18139492428
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Sarasota, Florida
Hours: 4–9 PM
+19419227999
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Wesley Chapel, Florida
Hours: 10:30 AM–7:30 PM
+18138034590
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Wesley Chapel, Florida
Hours: 7 am–11 pm
+18139480807
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Sarasota, Florida
Hours: 10 AM–8 PM
+19414878188
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Wesley Chapel, Florida
Hours: 7 AM–2:30 PM
+18135288108
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Panama City, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Gainesville, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18889982546
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Punta Gorda, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336322778
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Gainesville, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Lake City, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Gainesville, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Gainesville, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Bushnell, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336322778
Visit websiteLater in the drive, right off the route
Tallahassee, Florida
Hours: 8 am–5 pm
+18509420137
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, right off the route
Lutz, Florida
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+18139498299
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Tampa, Florida
Hours: 8:30 AM–5:30 PM
+18139194406
Early in the drive, short detour
Tampa, Florida
Hours: 7 AM–9 PM
+18135758002
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Panama City, Florida
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+18502151700
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Gainesville, Florida
Hours: Closed
+13523724981
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~10 min detour
Ocala, Florida
Hours: 9 am–7 pm
+13523685517
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, ~9 min detour
Tampa, Florida
Hours: 10 am–7 pm
+18139752794
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 424.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto Vincennes Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 10: Jacksonville, Tallahassee
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 West: Tallahassee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward FL 12: Gretna, Greensboro
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward FL `12 South: Greensboro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Regular Gas
$79.93 one way
$159.85 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.46 | $87.19 | $174.38 |
| premium | $4.78 | $93.59 | $187.18 |
| diesel | $6.28 | $122.83 | $245.65 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$80
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$210–$320
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 173.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $52 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 149.1 | 1 | $52.20 | $23.86 |
| Efficient EV | 124.3 | 1 | $43.50 | $19.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 198.8 | 2 | $69.59 | $31.81 |
Gas CO2
174 kg
EV CO2
58 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Cape Coral on Thursday
Local time
9:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Sunny
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 7:08AM CDT until October 20 at 6:00AM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 2:34AM EDT until October 22 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Destination
Morning in Cedar Grove on Thursday
Local time
8:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Sunny
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 7:08AM CDT until October 20 at 6:00AM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 2:34AM EDT until October 22 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
Time zone
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
This trip is mostly highway, with 90% of the route on major roads like I-75 and I-10. You'll experience a significant stretch of 276.8 miles on I-75 before transitioning to I-10. Surface roads will make up the final portion of your drive. Expect a consistent cruising speed for the majority of the trip, with exits becoming more frequent as you approach your destination.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and I 10. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Vincennes Boulevard.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 497.1 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: near the start (Vincennes Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 301.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 301.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
295 ft
Total Descent
268 ft
Highest Point
214 ft
~426.1 mi in
Elevation Range
209 ft
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Cape Coral, FL and Cedar Grove, FL, road signs point toward Tallahassee, Greensboro and Fl `12 South: Greensboro.
Tallahassee
Greensboro
Fl `12 South: Greensboro
Founded 1957
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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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