Collier County Rest Area Southbound
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Cape Coral, FL to Golden Glades, FL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 5, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 50m
Distance
146 mi
235 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 39m
★
6 AM
2h 50m
8 AM
3h 12m
10 AM
2h 58m
12 PM
2h 56m
3 PM
2h 59m
5 PM
3h 11m
8 PM
2h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cape Coral, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Golden Glades, FL
Jose Valverde
Trip Overview
The drive from Cape Coral, FL to Golden Glades, FL covers 146 miles and takes about 2h 50m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 75, Florida's Turnpike, Port Everglades Expressway 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 $22.58 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
73 miles from Cape Coral, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 26m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 112 mi | 2h |
| Florida's Turnpike | 11 mi | 12m |
| Port Everglades Expressway | 9 mi | 10m |
| Daniels Parkway | 4.6 mi | 7m |
| College Parkway | 2.9 mi | 5m |
| Cape Coral Parkway East | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Cape Coral Bridge Road | 1 mi | 1m |
| Northwest 2nd Avenue | 0.9 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 112 mi, about 2h
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 68 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,856 veh/hr typical · worst 3,556
Quietest
2 AM
~180 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 104 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cape Coral, FL and Golden Glades, 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
9.0 mi
·
10 min
·
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
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Exit 8; 9A-B
Toward US 441: Orlando, Miami, Florida's Turnpike
Use the slight right lane.
12
Turn straight onto SR 84
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
·
SR 84
Toward SR 84 East, I 595 East, US 441: Florida's Turnpike, North Orlando, South Miami
13
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Exit 8
Toward Florida's Turnpike, Miami South, Orlando North
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike South
16
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on SR 826
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
SR 826
18
Take the exit
161 ft
·
4 sec
19
Turn right onto Northwest 2nd Avenue
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Northwest 2nd Avenue
20
Continue on Memorial Highway
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
Memorial Highway
21
Turn left
92 ft
·
6 sec
22
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 73 miles from Cape Coral, FL, or about 1h 26m 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 32 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 73 miles or 1h 26m 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 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Golden Glades, 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 146 miles and 2h 50m.
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 I 75 for about 112 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
73 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 73 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 112 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
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
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 122.8 and 133.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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...
8
131.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 30m in
Take the exit toward US 441: Orlando, Miami, Florida's Turnpike
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 8; 9A-B
Toward US 441: Orlando, Miami, Florida's Turnpi...
7
132.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 31m in
Take the ramp toward Florida's Turnpike, Miami South, Orlando North
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 8
Toward Florida's Turnpike, Miami South, Orlando...
8
132.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 32m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike
6
133.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 32m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike South
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.58 one way
$45.16 round trip
$3.93/gal
25.4 MPG avg
51 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.30 | $24.73 | $49.46 |
| premium | $4.63 | $26.59 | $53.18 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $32.18 | $64.37 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.77
Florida's Turnpike
(11 mi)
$0.77
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
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 43.8 | 0 | $15.33 | $7.01 |
| Efficient EV | 36.5 | 0 | $12.78 | $5.84 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 58.4 | 0 | $20.44 | $9.34 |
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.
Origin
Cape Coral, FL
Evening in Cape Coral on Saturday
Local time
7:34 PM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Golden Glades, FL
Evening in Golden Glades on Saturday
Local time
7:34 PM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
87°F
Golden Gate, FL
73 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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 50m 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?
146 mi in 2h 50m, mostly highway — 112 mi of that is on I 75.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 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?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Florida's Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 122.8 miles in near I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 146 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 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 131.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 132.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
25 ft
5 ft
Total Climb
36 ft
Total Descent
36 ft
Highest Point
25 ft
~125.2 mi in
Elevation Range
20 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Cape Coral, FL and Golden Glades, FL, road signs point toward Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Florida's Turnpike, Orlando, Miami South and Orlando North - among others.
Fort Lauderdale
122.8 mi in
|
~2h 19m
|
via I 595
Miami
131.8 mi in
|
~2h 30m
Florida's Turnpike
131.8 mi in
|
~2h 30m
Orlando
132 mi in
|
~2h 30m
|
via SR 84
Miami South
132.4 mi in
|
~2h 31m
Orlando North
132.4 mi in
|
~2h 31m
Florida's Turnpike South
133.2 mi in
|
~2h 32m
About the Cities
Starting in Cape Coral, FL
Full guide →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.
Arriving in Golden Glades, FL
Full guide →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 2h 50m. Total distance: 146 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). 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 $0.77 in tolls one way, starting with Florida's Turnpike. 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.
Yes — we found about 7 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 Golden Glades, 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 7 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: 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 131.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 132.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Golden Glades, FL before heading back.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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