Traveling from Cape Coral to Port Richey covers 153.9 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 19 minutes behind the wheel. Because this is a highway-focused drive, it works perfectly as a straightforward day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $26 for fuel to complete the journey. The route primarily utilizes I-75 and US 19, transitioning through the heart of Florida. Whether you are heading north for business or leisure, the trip is efficient and easy to navigate in a single stretch.
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
77 miles from Cape Coral, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 36m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
69.8 mi
1h 14m
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
19.5 mi
22m
US 19
17.2 mi
26m
US Highway 19 North
12 mi
16m
North Tamiami Trail
10.4 mi
12m
Del Prado Boulevard North
6.5 mi
10m
I 275
5.7 mi
7m
Del Prado Boulevard South
5.2 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 69.8 mi, about 1h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cape Coral, FL and Port Richey, 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
70 mi·1 hr 14 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit onto I 275
5.7 mi·7 min·I 275
Exit 228Toward I 275 North: Saint PetersburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·19 sec
15
Merge onto I 275; US 19
19 mi·22 min·Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 26BToward 54th Avenue North WestboundUse the slight right lane.
17
Turn straight onto 54th Avenue North
0.9 mi·1 min·54th Avenue North
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn right onto US 19
0.6 mi·1 min·34th Street North
19
Continue on US 19
9.1 mi·12 min·US Highway 19 North
Use the left lane.
20
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward FL 60: Seville Boulevard, Gulf To BayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on US 19 Northbound Frontage Road
0.4 mi·49 sec·US 19 Northbound Frontage Road
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward US 19 North
23
Merge onto US 19
2.9 mi·4 min·US Highway 19 North
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward Enterprise RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Turn straight onto US 19 Northbound Frontage Road
1.3 mi·2 min·US 19 Northbound Frontage Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
26
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward US 19 North
27
Merge onto US 19
17 mi·26 min·US 19
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Turn right onto River Gulf Road
0.2 mi·52 sec·River Gulf Road
29
Continue on River Gulf Road
284 ft·12 sec·River Gulf Road
30
Turn left onto Washington Street
89 ft·4 sec·Washington Street
31
Turn right
214 ft·15 sec
32
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since the drive is manageable in a single day, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Plan for at least one stop during your 3-hour and 19-minute trek to keep your energy levels consistent. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto the longer interstate segments, as gas prices can fluctuate along the corridor. Since you are covering over 150 miles, checking traffic reports for I-75 before you leave Cape Coral is a smart move to avoid potential congestion. Use that single planned stop to stretch your legs, ensuring you arrive in Port Richey refreshed and ready for your destination.
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 77 miles from Cape Coral, FL, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 69.8 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 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 77 miles or 1h 36m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Port Richey, 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 153.9 miles and 3h 19m.
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 I 75 for about 69.8 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 134.7 — 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.
7
94.7 mi into trip|~1h 55m in|I 275
Take the exit onto I 275 toward I 275 North: Saint Petersburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 228
Toward I 275 North: Saint Petersburg
7
120.2 mi into trip|~2h 25m in
Take the exit toward 54th Avenue North Westbound
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 26B
Toward 54th Avenue North Westbound
7
131 mi into trip|~2h 42m in
Take the exit toward FL 60: Seville Boulevard, Gulf To Bay
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.
Toward FL 60: Seville Boulevard, Gulf To Bay
6
134.7 mi into trip|~2h 47m in
Take the exit toward Enterprise Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Enterprise Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.50 one way
$48.99 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg54 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$26.65
$53.30
premium
$4.72
$28.62
$57.23
diesel
$5.61
$33.98
$67.96
Estimated Tolls: $1.36
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
(19.5 mi)$1.36
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
$25
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.8 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
46.2
0
$16.16
$7.39
Efficient EV
38.5
0
$13.47
$6.16
EV Truck/SUV
61.6
0
$21.55
$9.85
Gas CO2
54 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 15, 2026
Origin
Cape Coral, FL
Morning
in Cape Coral on Sunday
Local time
9:33 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Port Richey, FL
Morning
in Port Richey on Sunday
Local time
9:33 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°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
4 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 19m 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?
Expect a trip defined by high-speed efficiency, as 69% of your travel occurs on major highways. You will spend a significant portion of your time on I-75, which features a 69.8-mile stretch that serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of the drive. The journey transitions from the interstate to the more localized flow of US 19 as you approach the Port Richey area. Crossing the Sunshine Skyway Bridge adds a distinct structural element to your path, breaking up the standard highway rhythm. Overall, the experience is functional and fast-paced rather than winding or technical.
69% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 69.8 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Sunshine Skyway Bridge. 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 Effort9/10
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 23 significant decision points across 153.9 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 94.7 miles (I 275): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 120.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
66 ft-2 ft
Total Climb
144 ft
Total Descent
136 ft
Highest Point
66 ft
~131.9 mi in
Elevation Range
68 ft
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 Port Richey, FL, road signs point toward 54Th Avenue North Westbound and Gulf To Bay.
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.
New Port Richey, otherwise known as NPR, or New Port, is a city founded in 1924 that is full of restaurants, stores, and activities, in the Big Bend Coast region of Florida.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 19m. Total distance: 153.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 69.8 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.36 in tolls one way, starting with Sunshine Skyway Bridge. 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 Port Richey, 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 94.7 miles (I 275): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 120.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Port Richey, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
