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Trip from Cape Coral, FL to Oak Ridge, FL

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 42m

Distance

156.6 mi

252 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 30m ★
6 AM
3h 42m
8 AM
4h 8m
10 AM
3h 51m
12 PM
3h 49m
3 PM
3h 52m
5 PM
4h 6m
8 PM
3h 35m

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

city in Lee County, Florida, United States

Cape Coral, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Oak Ridge, FL, FL

Oak Ridge, FL

DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ

Trip Overview

Cape Coral to Oak Ridge is 156.6 miles and takes about 3h 42m via US 17 and I-4, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, moving from one part of the state to another. The drive is mostly on highways, making it a straightforward option for a single-day excursion. You'll encounter a good amount of highway driving, so be prepared for typical interstate conditions. With a single recommended stop and a relatively short duration, this route is ideal for getting from point A to point B efficiently.

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

78.3 miles from Cape Coral, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 51m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 17 87.7 mi 2h 4m
I 4 22.9 mi 26m
North Tamiami Trail 10.4 mi 12m
Del Prado Boulevard North 6.5 mi 10m
North Buena Vista Drive 6.1 mi 9m
I 75 5.8 mi 6m
Del Prado Boulevard South 5.2 mi 10m
John Young Parkway 3.7 mi 5m
Longest stretch: US 17 — 87.7 mi, about 2h 4m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cape Coral, FL and Oak Ridge, FL.

1

Start on this road

95 ft · 7 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto Cape Coral Parkway East

125 ft · 7 sec · Cape Coral Parkway East
3

Turn right onto Vincennes Boulevard

357 ft · 13 sec · Vincennes Boulevard
Use the right lane.
4

Enter roundabout onto Vincennes Boulevard

61 ft · 2 sec · Vincennes Boulevard
5

Continue on Vincennes Boulevard

0.5 mi · 1 min · Vincennes Boulevard
6

Turn right onto Coronado Parkway

0.6 mi · 1 min · Coronado Parkway
7

Turn left onto CR 867A

5.2 mi · 10 min · Del Prado Boulevard South
8

Continue on CR 867A

6.5 mi · 10 min · Del Prado Boulevard North
Use the left lane.
9

Turn left onto US 41

10 mi · 12 min · North Tamiami Trail
Use the right lane.
10

Turn right onto CR 762

1.1 mi · 2 min · Tuckers Grade
11

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 56 sec
Toward I 75 North: Tampa
12

Merge onto I 75

5.8 mi · 6 min · I 75
13

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 44 sec
Exit 164 Toward US 17: Punta Gorda, Arcadia
14

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 18 sec
Toward US 17 North
15

Merge onto US 17

38 mi · 51 min · US 17
16

Continue on US 17

2.5 mi · 2 min · US 17
17

Continue on US 17

1.1 mi · 1 min · US 17
18

Continue on US 17

46 mi · 1 hr 9 min · US 17
Use the left lane.
19

Turn left onto CR 557

0.1 mi · 13 sec · Pomelo Street
20

Continue on CR 557

6.1 mi · 9 min · North Buena Vista Drive
21

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min
22

Merge onto I 4

13 mi · 14 min · I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Keep slight left at fork onto I 4

10 mi · 12 min · I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 59 sec
Exit 72 Toward FL 528 Toll East: International Airport, Cape Canaveral, Convention Center, International Drive Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

Continue on FL 528 Toll

2.5 mi · 2 min · Beachline Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 20 sec
Exit 3 Toward OC 423: John Young Parkway Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward CR 423 North: John Young Parkway Use the slight left lane.
28

Merge onto CR 423

3.7 mi · 5 min · John Young Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29

Turn left onto West Oak Ridge Road

0.5 mi · 1 min · West Oak Ridge Road
Use the left lane.
30

Turn slight left

217 ft · 13 sec
31

Turn left onto Bonnie Brook Boulevard

508 ft · 27 sec · Bonnie Brook Boulevard
32

Turn left

329 ft · 24 sec
33

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the 3h 42m estimated driving time, leaving Cape Coral in the morning will comfortably get you to Oak Ridge well before evening. The route involves just one recommended stop, so you have flexibility in when and where you choose to take a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $25, and it's always wise to refuel before you're running on fumes, especially when covering 156.6 miles. A specific tip for this drive is to be mindful of the 87.7-mile stretch on US 17; ensure you have snacks and entertainment ready for that longer segment.

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 78.3 miles from Cape Coral, FL, or about 1h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.7 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 34 miles or 51m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 78.3 miles or 1h 51m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 6m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Oak 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 156.6 miles and 3h 42m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 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 US 17 for about 87.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Wauchula, FL, FL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Wauchula, FL

78 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

Punta Gorda, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Wauchula, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 78.3 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 US 17 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 87.7 miles.

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 20

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 151.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Vincennes Boulevard

Turn right onto Vincennes Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
6
30.7 mi into trip | ~46m in

Take the exit toward US 17: Punta Gorda, Arcadia

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 164 Toward US 17: Punta Gorda, Arcadia
8
148.6 mi into trip | ~3h 29m in

Take the exit toward FL 528 Toll East: International Airport, Cape Canaveral, Convention Center, International Drive

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 72 Toward FL 528 Toll East: International Airport,...
7
151.6 mi into trip | ~3h 33m in

Take the exit toward OC 423: John Young Parkway

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 3 Toward OC 423: John Young Parkway
7
151.7 mi into trip | ~3h 33m in

Keep slight left at fork toward CR 423 North: John Young Parkway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward CR 423 North: John Young Parkway

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$24.93 one way

$49.85 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 55 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.40 $27.12 $54.23
premium $4.72 $29.12 $58.24
diesel $5.61 $34.58 $69.15

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$25

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$50–$75

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 54.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 47 0 $16.44 $7.52
Efficient EV 39.2 0 $13.70 $6.26
EV Truck/SUV 62.6 0 $21.92 $10.02

Gas CO2

55 kg

EV CO2

18 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 20, 2026

Origin

Cape Coral, FL

Morning in Cape Coral on Tuesday

Local time

8:50 AM

EDT

Current temp

85°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Oak Ridge, FL

Morning in Oak Ridge on Tuesday

Local time

8:50 AM

EDT

Current temp

90°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

5 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 42m 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?

This route is predominantly highway driving, with 79% of the trip on interstates. You'll spend a significant amount of time on US 17, including a stretch of 87.7 miles without a major change in road type. The transition to surface roads will occur later in the drive, offering a change of pace from the faster highway speeds. Expect to notice a dense pattern of exits as you approach and depart major highway sections.

79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 87.7 mi on US 17.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 17 and I 4. 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.

Driving Effort 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 156.6 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 30.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 148.6 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.

Between Cape Coral, FL and Oak Ridge, FL, road signs point toward Arcadia, Cape Canaveral and Convention Center.

Arcadia

30.7 mi in | ~46m

Cape Canaveral

148.6 mi in | ~3h 29m

Convention Center

148.6 mi in | ~3h 29m

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.

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 42m. Total distance: 156.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 87.7 miles on US 17. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 Oak 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: near the start (Vincennes Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 30.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 148.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Oak Ridge, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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