Cape Coral to South Patrick Shores is 199.7 miles and takes about 4 hours 21 minutes via I 95, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This one-day trip stays within Florida, moving from the southwestern part of the state to the Atlantic coast. It's a straightforward drive that's manageable for most vehicles, offering a practical way to get from one side of the state to the other. Plan for a mixed driving experience as you transition from local roads to the interstate. This route is ideal if you're looking for an efficient journey without requiring an overnight stop.
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
99.9 miles from Cape Coral, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 21m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
59.2 mi
1h 3m
Industrial Drive
34.4 mi
46m
Park Street
31.3 mi
39m
Palm Beach Boulevard
24.2 mi
34m
FL 78
14.8 mi
18m
Pineda Causeway
6.2 mi
9m
Colonial Boulevard
5.8 mi
9m
I 75
4.3 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 59.2 mi, about 1h 3m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,385 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,115
Quietest
2 AM
~231 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.3×
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 South Patrick Shores, 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
Turn slight right onto College Parkway
0.3 mi·38 sec·College Parkway
6
Continue on Cape Coral Bridge Road
0.2 mi·45 sec·Cape Coral Bridge Road
7
Turn slight left
210 ft·11 sec
8
Turn slight left onto FL 867
3.0 mi·5 min·McGregor Boulevard
9
Turn right
219 ft·9 sec
10
Continue on Colonial Boulevard
5.8 mi·9 min·Colonial Boulevard
Use the left lane.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward I 75 North: Tampa, I-75 NorthUse the left lane.
12
Merge onto I 75
4.3 mi·4 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·45 sec
Exit 141Toward FL 80: Fort Myers, La BelleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn right onto FL 80
24 mi·34 min·Palm Beach Boulevard
Use the right lane.
15
Turn left onto FL 29
4.0 mi·6 min·North Bridge Street
Use the left lane.
16
Turn right onto FL 78
15 mi·18 min·FL 78
17
Continue on US 27; FL 78
3.7 mi·4 min·US 27; FL 78
18
Take the exit
358 ft·10 sec
19
Turn left onto FL 78 Detour
34 mi·46 min·Industrial Drive
20
Turn left onto Parrott Avenue
3.1 mi·6 min·Parrott Avenue
21
Turn right onto FL 70
31 mi·39 min·Park Street
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 95
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 North: Daytona BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Merge onto I 95
59 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 188Toward FL 404: Satellite Beach, Pineda Causeway, Patrick Space Force BaseUse the slight right lane.
26
Turn right onto FL 404
6.2 mi·9 min·Pineda Causeway
Use the left lane.
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward FL 513: Patrick Space Force BaseUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Turn right onto FL 513
0.8 mi·1 min·South Patrick Drive
29
Turn right onto Saint Georges Court
166 ft·9 sec·Saint Georges Court
30
Turn right onto Jolly Roger Drive
0.1 mi·38 sec·Jolly Roger Drive
31
Turn left onto Saint Lucia Court
0.2 mi·36 sec·Saint Lucia Court
32
Arrive at destination
Saint Lucia Court
Trip Plan
Given the 4 hours 21 minutes estimated drive time, starting in the morning will give you ample time to reach South Patrick Shores comfortably within daylight hours. The longest stretch on I 95 is nearly 60 miles, so plan for your fuel and rest stops before or after this segment. With a fuel cost estimated at $32, it's wise to fill up before you leave Cape Coral or at a convenient point along I 95. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility; however, aiming to leave by mid-morning will allow for a relaxed pace and a potential brief stop if needed, without feeling rushed.
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 99.9 miles from Cape Coral, FL, or about 2h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.2 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 44 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 99.9 miles or 2h 21m 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 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near South Patrick Shores, 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 199.7 miles and 4h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 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 95 for about 59.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Home stretch
2.8 mi from route
~7 min detour
$20 to $30
Palm Bay, Florida
Hours: 11:30 AM–12 AM
+13214994977
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 11.4 and 191.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
11.4 mi into trip|~20m in
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
Use the left lane.
Toward I 75 North: Tampa, I-75 North
8
16.1 mi into trip|~26m in
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 141
Toward FL 80: Fort Myers, La Belle
6
40.6 mi into trip|~1h 1m in|FL 29 / North Bridge Street
Turn left onto FL 29 / North Bridge Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
132.1 mi into trip|~3h 2m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: Daytona Beach
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 North: Daytona Beach
8
191.8 mi into trip|~4h 7m in
Take the exit toward FL 404: Satellite Beach, Pineda Causeway, Patrick Space Force Base
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 188
Toward FL 404: Satellite Beach, Pineda Causeway...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.79 one way
$63.57 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg70 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$34.65
$69.30
premium
$4.74
$37.29
$74.58
diesel
$5.35
$42.06
$84.13
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 69.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
59.9
0
$20.97
$9.59
Efficient EV
49.9
0
$17.47
$7.99
EV Truck/SUV
79.9
0
$27.96
$12.78
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
23 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 May 24, 2026
Origin
Cape Coral, FL
Evening
in Cape Coral on Wednesday
Local time
8:14 PM
EDT
Current temp
91°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
SSE 9 mph49% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 24 at 1:13PM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 24 at 12:47PM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Destination
South Patrick Shores, FL
Evening
in South Patrick Shores on Wednesday
Local time
8:14 PM
EDT
Current temp
85°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
6 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
4h 21m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive offers a mixed profile, with about 42% of the journey on highways. You'll experience stretches of Interstate 95, which can be quite fast-paced, including one segment that lasts for 59.2 miles without interruption. Expect to navigate through local roads and potentially some industrial areas as you enter and exit your start and end points. The character of the drive shifts, moving from potentially more urban or suburban approaches to the efficiency of the interstate, and then back again towards the coast. It's not an entirely monotonous journey, but the interstate will likely form the backbone of your travel.
42% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 59.2 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 11.4 miles in.
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 22 significant decision points across 199.7 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 11.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 40.6 miles (FL 29 / North Bridge Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
36 ft5 ft
Total Climb
70 ft
Total Descent
70 ft
Highest Point
36 ft
~114.1 mi in
Elevation Range
31 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Cape Coral, FL to South Patrick Shores, FL, road signs begin pointing toward La Belle along the way.
La Belle
16.1 mi in|~26m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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 4h 21m. Total distance: 199.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 59.2 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 13 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 South Patrick Shores, 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 13 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 11.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 40.6 miles (FL 29 / North Bridge Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at South Patrick Shores, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
