Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
34m
Distance
20.3 mi
33 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
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
Fort Myers Shores, FL
Arian Fernandez
Cape Coral to Fort Myers Shores is 20.3 miles and takes about 34 minutes via Colonial Boulevard and I-75, with a fuel budget near $3 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This short trip stays within Florida, connecting two communities in the southwestern part of the state. Given its brevity, it's a straightforward drive suitable for a quick commute or an easy addition to a longer itinerary. You'll encounter a mix of local roads and highway driving, making it a dynamic, albeit brief, journey. Plan for a quick trip with minimal fuss.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Colonial Boulevard | 5.8 mi | 9m |
| I 75 | 4.3 mi | 4m |
| Palm Beach Boulevard | 3.6 mi | 5m |
| McGregor Boulevard | 3 mi | 5m |
| Cape Coral Bridge Road | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Cape Coral Parkway East | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| River Ridge Boulevard | 0.3 mi | 1m |
| College Parkway | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Cape Coral, FL and Fort Myers Shores, FL.
Start on this road
Turn right onto Cape Coral Parkway East
Continue on Cape Coral Parkway East
Continue on Cape Coral Bridge Road
Turn slight right onto College Parkway
Continue on Cape Coral Bridge Road
Turn slight left
Turn slight left onto FL 867
Turn right
Continue on Colonial Boulevard
Take the exit
Merge onto I 75
Take the exit
Turn right onto FL 80
Turn left onto River Ridge Boulevard
Arrive at destination
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 16.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto Cape Coral Parkway East
Navigation decision point
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
Merge onto I 75
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
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
Turn right onto FL 80 / Palm Beach Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$3.23 one way
$6.46 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $3.51 | $7.03 |
| premium | $4.72 | $3.77 | $7.55 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $4.48 | $8.96 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$3
Estimated CO2 emission: 7.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 71% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 6.1 | 0 | $2.13 | $0.97 |
| Efficient EV | 5.1 | 0 | $1.78 | $0.81 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 8.1 | 0 | $2.84 | $1.30 |
Gas CO2
7 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (71% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Cape Coral on Sunday
Local time
6:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Sunny
Destination
Morning in Fort Myers Shores on Sunday
Local time
6:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
This route is characterized as a "turn-heavy local drive," suggesting frequent directional changes rather than long, straight stretches. With only 28% of the drive on highways, expect more time navigating city streets and intersections. The longest uninterrupted segment is 5.8 miles on Colonial Boulevard, indicating that most of your travel will involve shorter distances between turns. Be prepared for a dynamic driving experience that requires constant attention to navigation, especially as you transition between different road types.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Cape Coral Parkway East.
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 20.3 miles you will encounter 8 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: near the start (Cape Coral Parkway East): Navigation decision point; 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.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Cape Coral, FL to Fort Myers Shores, FL, road signs begin pointing toward La Belle along the way.
La Belle
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).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 34m. Total distance: 20.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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