Cape Coral to Florida Ridge is 145.6 miles and takes about 3h 25m via Industrial Drive, Park Street, and Palm Beach Boulevard, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This single-day trip stays within Florida, moving from the Southwest region to the Central region. Expect a route characterized by frequent turns and local roads, making it a more engaging drive than a straightforward highway journey. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, this route is ideal for a flexible day trip where you can easily adjust your schedule.
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
72.8 miles from Cape Coral, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 43m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Industrial Drive
34.4 mi
46m
Park Street
30.9 mi
38m
Palm Beach Boulevard
24.2 mi
34m
FL 78
14.8 mi
18m
Colonial Boulevard
5.8 mi
9m
North Kings Highway
5.1 mi
7m
I 75
4.3 mi
4m
North Bridge Street
4 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Industrial Drive
— 34.4 mi, about 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cape Coral, FL and Florida Ridge, 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
Turn slight right onto College Parkway
0.3 mi·38 sec·College Parkway
6
Continue on Cape Coral Bridge Road
0.2 mi·45 sec·Cape Coral Bridge Road
7
Turn slight left
210 ft·11 sec
8
Turn slight left onto FL 867
3.0 mi·5 min·McGregor Boulevard
9
Turn right
219 ft·9 sec
10
Continue on Colonial Boulevard
5.8 mi·9 min·Colonial Boulevard
Use the left lane.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward I 75 North: Tampa, I-75 NorthUse the left lane.
12
Merge onto I 75
4.3 mi·4 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·45 sec
Exit 141Toward FL 80: Fort Myers, La BelleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn right onto FL 80
24 mi·34 min·Palm Beach Boulevard
Use the right lane.
15
Turn left onto FL 29
4.0 mi·6 min·North Bridge Street
Use the left lane.
16
Turn right onto FL 78
15 mi·18 min·FL 78
17
Continue on US 27; FL 78
3.7 mi·4 min·US 27; FL 78
18
Take the exit
358 ft·10 sec
19
Turn left onto FL 78 Detour
34 mi·46 min·Industrial Drive
20
Turn left onto Parrott Avenue
3.1 mi·6 min·Parrott Avenue
21
Turn right onto FL 70
31 mi·38 min·Park Street
22
Turn left onto FL 713
2.4 mi·3 min·South Kings Highway
23
Continue on FL 713
5.1 mi·7 min·North Kings Highway
24
Continue on FL 713
2.7 mi·4 min·Turnpike Feeder Road
25
Turn left onto US 1
2.8 mi·4 min·US Highway 1
26
Turn left onto CR 606
0.7 mi·1 min·9th Street Southwest
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Turn left onto 7th Road Southwest
0.5 mi·1 min·7th Road Southwest
28
Arrive at destination
7th Road Southwest
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 25m drive time and 145.6 miles, starting in the morning will give you ample time to reach Florida Ridge comfortably. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility to decide when and where to take a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is around $23, and it's wise to top off before you leave Cape Coral or at your chosen stop. The route's 'turn-heavy' profile means paying close attention to your navigation is key to staying on track.
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 72.8 miles from Cape Coral, FL, or about 1h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 34.4 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 32 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72.8 miles or 1h 43m 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 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Florida Ridge, 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 145.6 miles and 3h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 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 Industrial Drive for about 34.4 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 11.4 and 144.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
11.4 mi into trip|~20m in
Take the exit toward I 75 North: Tampa, I-75 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 75 North: Tampa, I-75 North
5
11.8 mi into trip|~21m in|I 75
Merge onto I 75
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
16.1 mi into trip|~26m in
Take the exit toward FL 80: Fort Myers, La Belle
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 141
Toward FL 80: Fort Myers, La Belle
6
40.6 mi into trip|~1h 1m in|FL 29 / North Bridge Street
Turn left onto FL 29 / North Bridge Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
144.5 mi into trip|~3h 22m in|CR 606 / 9th Street Southwest
Turn left onto CR 606 / 9th Street Southwest
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.18 one way
$46.35 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg51 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$25.21
$50.42
premium
$4.72
$27.07
$54.15
diesel
$5.61
$32.15
$64.29
Estimated Tolls: $0.19
Turnpike Feeder Road
(2.7 mi)$0.19
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
$23
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
43.7
0
$15.29
$6.99
Efficient EV
36.4
0
$12.74
$5.82
EV Truck/SUV
58.2
0
$20.38
$9.32
Gas CO2
51 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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Cape Coral, FL
Late night
in Cape Coral on Sunday
Local time
12:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Florida Ridge, FL
Late night
in Florida Ridge on Sunday
Local time
12:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°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
11 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 25m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is a turn-heavy local road experience, with only 20% of the route on highways. You'll navigate through a series of local streets, including Industrial Drive, Park Street, and Palm Beach Boulevard, which means a dynamic driving experience with frequent changes in direction. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 34.4 miles on Industrial Drive, offering a brief period of more consistent travel before you transition back to more complex road networks. Be prepared for an engaging drive that requires your attention due to the numerous turns.
Only 20% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 34.4 mi on Industrial Drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 11.4 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
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 145.6 miles you will encounter 14 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 11.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.8 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Florida Ridge, FL, road signs begin pointing toward La Belle along the way.
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 3h 25m. Total distance: 145.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 34.4 miles on Industrial Drive. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.19 in tolls one way, starting with Turnpike Feeder Road. 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 Florida Ridge, 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 11.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.8 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Florida Ridge, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
