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Trip from Cape Coral, FL to Delray Beach, FL

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 10m

Distance

161.5 mi

260 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

19 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
2h 58m ★
6 AM
3h 10m
8 AM
3h 33m
10 AM
3h 18m
12 PM
3h 16m
3 PM
3h 19m
5 PM
3h 32m
8 PM
3h 3m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Lee County, Florida, United States

Cape Coral, FL

Wikimedia Commons

city in Palm Beach County, Florida, United States

Delray Beach, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Cape Coral, FL to Delray Beach, FL covers 161.5 miles and takes about 3h 10m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 75, Sawgrass Expressway, I 95 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 112 miles on I 75. At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.71 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

80.8 miles from Cape Coral, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 34m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 75 112 mi 2h
Sawgrass Expressway 21.1 mi 24m
I 95 11.3 mi 12m
Daniels Parkway 4.6 mi 7m
College Parkway 2.9 mi 5m
Southwest 10th Street 2.6 mi 4m
Cape Coral Parkway East 1.1 mi 2m
Cape Coral Bridge Road 1 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 75 — 112 mi, about 2h

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cape Coral, FL and Delray Beach, FL.

1

Start on this road

95 ft · 7 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto Cape Coral Parkway East

125 ft · 9 sec · Cape Coral Parkway East
3

Continue on Cape Coral Parkway East

1.1 mi · 2 min · Cape Coral Parkway East
Use the left lane.
4

Continue on Cape Coral Bridge Road

1.0 mi · 1 min · Cape Coral Bridge Road
5

Continue on College Parkway

2.9 mi · 5 min · College Parkway
Use the left lane.
6

Turn right onto US 41

0.7 mi · 1 min · South Cleveland Avenue
7

Turn left onto CR 876

4.6 mi · 7 min · Daniels Parkway
Use the left lane.
8

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 75 South: Naples
9

Merge onto I 75

112 mi · 2 hr · I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight right at fork onto I 595

0.4 mi · 29 sec · Port Everglades Expressway
Exit 19 Toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

1.7 mi · 3 min
Exit 19 Toward SR 869 Toll North: Coral Springs Use the slight left / straight lanes.
12

Merge onto SR 869 Toll

21 mi · 24 min · Sawgrass Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Continue on SR 869

2.6 mi · 4 min · Southwest 10th Street
Use the left lane.
14

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 45 sec
Toward I 95 North: West Palm Beach Use the right lane.
15

Merge onto I 95

11 mi · 12 min · I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Exit 52 Toward SR 806: Atlantic Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Turn right onto SR 806

0.9 mi · 2 min · West Atlantic Avenue
Use the straight lane.
18

Arrive at destination

SR 806

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 80.8 miles from Cape Coral, FL, or about 1h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 112 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 36 miles or 46m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 80.8 miles or 1h 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 2h 32m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Delray Beach, FL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Cape Coral, FL

This is one driving day of about 161.5 miles and 3h 10m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Cape Coral, 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 112 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Sunshine Ranches, FL, FL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Sunshine Ranches, FL

81 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

Golden Gate, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Golden Gate, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 80.8 miles from Cape Coral, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 112 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Mercedes-Benz High-Power Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 11.5

Fort Myers, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18555023851

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 11.5

Fort Myers, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 11.5

Fort Myers, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour

Cape Coral, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Nissan Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 11.5

Fort Myers, Florida

Hours: 8:30 am–8 pm

+18776642738

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

Near the start, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 11.5

Fort Myers, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

SWTCH Charging Station

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 23.1

Bonita Springs, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18447982438

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 11.5

Fort Myers, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Collier County Rest Area Southbound

0.1 mi from route

Collier County Rest Area Southbound

0.2 mi from route

Big Cypress National Preserve Access Area Northbound

0.2 mi from route

Big Cypress National Preserve Access Area Southbound

0.2 mi from route

Broward County Rest Area

0.3 mi from route

10280

0.4 mi from route

Service Plaza

1.5 mi from route

Volunteer Park Community Center

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 126.9

Plantation, Florida

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+19544522558

Visit website

Wonder Gardens

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 23.1

Bonita Springs, Florida

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+12399922591

Visit website

Everglades Swamp Tours - Airboat Rides Fort Lauderdale

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 103.8

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+13058490135

Visit website

Coral Springs Museum of Art

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 138.4

Coral Springs, Florida

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+19543405000

Visit website

iFLY Indoor Skydiving - Fort Lauderdale

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 126.9

Davie, Florida

Hours: 10 am–5:30 pm

+19542804359

Visit website

Gulf Coast Town Center Play Ground

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 11.5

Fort Myers, Florida

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

Sun-N-Fun Lagoon

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 34.6

Naples, Florida

Hours: Closed

+12392524021

Visit website

Boynton Beach Parasailing

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 161.5

Boynton Beach, Florida

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+15613598359

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 10.8 and 160.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
10.8 mi into trip | ~19m in | I 75

Merge onto I 75

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
122.8 mi into trip | ~2h 19m in | I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 19 Toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Spr...
7
123.2 mi into trip | ~2h 20m in

Take the exit toward SR 869 Toll North: Coral Springs

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

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Exit 19 Toward SR 869 Toll North: Coral Springs
5
125 mi into trip | ~2h 24m in | SR 869 Toll / Sawgrass Expressway

Merge onto SR 869 Toll / Sawgrass Expressway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
160.3 mi into trip | ~3h 7m in

Take the exit toward SR 806: Atlantic Avenue

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 52 Toward SR 806: Atlantic Avenue

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$25.71 one way

$51.41 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 57 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.40 $27.96 $55.93
premium $4.72 $30.03 $60.06
diesel $5.61 $35.66 $71.31

Estimated Tolls: $1.69

Sawgrass Expressway (21.1 mi) $1.69

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

$26

Tolls

$2

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$52–$77

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 56.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

19 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Miromar Outlets - Tesla Supercharger

Estero, FL

Tesla

16 DCFC

Colonial Square - Tesla Supercharger

Fort Myers, FL

Tesla

14 DCFC

Gulf Coast Town Center - Tesla Supercharger

Fort Meyers, FL

Tesla

12 DCFC

Tarpon Bay Plaza - Tesla Supercharger

Naples, FL

Tesla

8 DCFC

Target T0818 (Fort Myers, FL)

Fort Myers, FL

Electrify America

6 DCFC

BoA FL4-527 (Bonita Springs, FL)

Bonita Springs, FL

Electrify America

6 DCFC

Paradise Shoppes

Estero, FL

FPLEV

4 DCFC

Coconut Point Ford

Estero, FL

FORD_CHARGE

4 DCFC

ChargePoint Network: 8 Tesla: 4 Electrify America: 2 FPLEV: 2 CHAEVI: 1 IN_CHARGE: 1 FORD_CHARGE: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 48.4 0 $16.96 $7.75
Efficient EV 40.4 0 $14.13 $6.46
EV Truck/SUV 64.6 0 $22.61 $10.34

Gas CO2

57 kg

EV CO2

19 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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Cape Coral, FL

Morning in Cape Coral on Sunday

Local time

7:45 AM

EDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Delray Beach, FL

Morning in Delray Beach on Sunday

Local time

7:45 AM

EDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

68°F

Sunshine Ranches, FL

81 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

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

3h 10m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

161.5 mi in 3h 10m, mostly highway — 112 mi of that is on I 75.

95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 112 mi on I 75.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Sawgrass Expressway. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 10.8 miles in near I 75.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 161.5 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 10.8 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 122.8 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 123.2 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.

On the drive from Cape Coral, FL to Delray Beach, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Lauderdale along the way.

Fort Lauderdale

122.8 mi in | ~2h 19m | via I 595

About the Cities

Starting in Cape Coral, FL

Full guide →

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).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 10m. Total distance: 161.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 112 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $1.69 in tolls one way, starting with Sawgrass Expressway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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 Delray Beach, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 10.8 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 122.8 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 123.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Delray Beach, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Delray Beach, FL to Cape Coral, FL

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