Cape Coral to Sawgrass is 291.9 miles and takes about 6h 19m via US 17 and I-4, with a fuel budget near $50 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, moving from the southwest coast towards the southeast. The route is predominantly highway driving, making it a straightforward trip for a single day. With only one recommended stop and a short duration, it’s a convenient option for getting from point A to point B efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
145.9 miles from Cape Coral, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 26m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 17
87.7 mi
2h 4m
I 4
82.9 mi
1h 35m
I 95
66.3 mi
1h 11m
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
Longest stretch:
US 17
— 87.7 mi, about 2h 4m
Traffic on I-4
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 29 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~4,918 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~548 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Sawgrass, 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 164Toward 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
13 mi·16 min·I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 4
57 mi·1 hr 4 min·I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·14 sec
Toward I 95: Miami, Jacksonville
26
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi·2 min
Toward I 95 North, US 92 North: Jacksonville
27
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 North: JacksonvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Merge onto I 95
66 mi·1 hr 11 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Exit 329Toward CR 210: Ponte Vedra Beach, Green Cove SpringsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Turn right onto CR 210
4.6 mi·7 min·County Road 210 West
31
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward Nocatee Parkway East, Ponte Vedra Beach
32
Merge onto Nocatee Parkway
2.6 mi·3 min·Nocatee Parkway
33
Continue on CR 210
2.5 mi·3 min·Palm Valley Road
34
Enter roundabout onto Mickler Road
181 ft·3 sec·Mickler Road
35
Continue on Mickler Road
1.3 mi·1 min·Mickler Road
36
Continue on CR 203
2.4 mi·5 min·Ponte Vedra Boulevard
37
Turn left onto Sawgrass Drive East
0.2 mi·46 sec·Sawgrass Drive East
38
Turn right onto Preston Trail East
467 ft·27 sec·Preston Trail East
39
Turn left onto Deer Run Drive South
41 ft·1 sec·Deer Run Drive South
40
Arrive at destination
Deer Run Drive South
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour drive time, an early morning departure from Cape Coral is your best bet to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. While this route is manageable in one day, you might consider splitting it if you prefer a more relaxed pace, though the data suggests it’s designed for a single-day transit. The longest stretch of 87.7 miles on US 17 is where you might want to plan your single stop for fuel or a quick break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $50, and it's always wise to top off before hitting those longer highway segments.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 145.9 miles from Cape Coral, FL, or about 3h 26m 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 64 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 145.9 miles or 3h 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 5h 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sawgrass, 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 291.9 miles and 6h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 277.4 — 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
6
138.5 mi into trip|~3h 17m in|I 4
Keep slight left at fork onto I 4
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
210 mi into trip|~4h 40m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: Jacksonville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 North: Jacksonville
8
277.4 mi into trip|~5h 53m in
Take the exit toward CR 210: Ponte Vedra Beach, Green Cove Springs
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 329
Toward CR 210: Ponte Vedra Beach, Green Cove Sp...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.19 one way
$88.37 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg102 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$48.49
$96.97
premium
$4.55
$52.29
$104.58
diesel
$4.80
$55.12
$110.23
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
87.6
1
$30.65
$14.01
Efficient EV
73
0
$25.54
$11.68
EV Truck/SUV
116.8
1
$40.87
$18.68
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Cape Coral, FL
Afternoon
in Cape Coral on Sunday
Local time
1:10 PM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
S 2 to 8 mph43% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 6:19PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 7:19PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Destination
Sawgrass, FL
Afternoon
in Sawgrass on Sunday
Local time
1:10 PM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
S 6 to 10 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 6:19PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 7:19PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
96°F
Eagle Lake, FL
146 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
6h 19m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
National Monument
Built by the Spanish in St. Augustine to defend Florida and the Atlantic trade route, Castillo de San Marcos National Monument preserves the oldest masonry fortification in the continental United Stat...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
$15
near mile 261.7
Fort Matanzas National Monument preserves the fortified coquina watchtower, completed in 1742, which defended the southern approach to the Spanish military settlement of St. Augustine. It also protect...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 251.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is an 84% highway cruise, meaning you’ll spend most of your time on major interstates. The longest stretch without a major change in road type is 87.7 miles on US 17. Expect a significant amount of time on I-4, which can feature dense exits and merging traffic as you approach more populated areas. The highway portion concludes as you transition to surface roads closer to your destination.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
40 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?
9/10
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 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 25 significant decision points across 291.9 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 30.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 138.5 miles (I 4): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
132 ft5 ft
Total Climb
143 ft
Total Descent
142 ft
Highest Point
132 ft
~125.1 mi in
Elevation Range
127 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 Sawgrass, FL, road signs point toward Arcadia and Jacksonville.
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 6h 19m. Total distance: 291.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 19m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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.
Yes — we found about 23 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 Sawgrass, 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 23 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 138.5 miles (I 4): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Castillo de San Marcos National Monument and Fort Matanzas National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Sawgrass, FL before the return drive.
