This 155.4-mile drive from Cape Coral to Windermere, Florida, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $25, it's an economical journey. The route primarily utilizes US 17 and I-4, making it a highway-focused experience. You'll spend about 73% of your time on highways, so expect a relatively efficient commute. This drive is a straightforward option for getting from one point in Florida to another, with most of the mileage concentrated on main arteries.
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
77.7 miles from Cape Coral, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 17
87.7 mi
2h 4m
I 4
19.1 mi
21m
North Tamiami Trail
10.4 mi
12m
Apopka Vineland Road
7.8 mi
13m
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
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cape Coral, FL and Windermere, 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
6.2 mi·7 min·I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Exit 68Toward FL 535: Lake Buena VistaUse the slight right lane.
25
Keep slight left at fork
277 ft·8 sec
Toward FL 535 North: Vineland Avenue
26
Turn left onto FL 535
0.7 mi·1 min·Kissimmee Vineland Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
27
Continue on FL 535
7.8 mi·13 min·Apopka Vineland Road
Use the left / uturn lanes.
28
Turn left onto Conroy Windermere Road
0.2 mi·32 sec·Conroy Windermere Road
Use the left lane.
29
Continue on East 6th Avenue
1.5 mi·3 min·East 6th Avenue
30
Enter roundabout onto Main Street
30 ft·1 sec·Main Street
31
Continue on Main Street
369 ft·7 sec·Main Street
32
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour, 45-minute duration, this trip is perfectly suited for a single-day adventure. Consider an early morning departure from Cape Coral to maximize your daylight hours and potentially avoid some traffic as you approach Windermere. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in where you choose to rest or refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 87.7-mile stretch on US 17, as services might be more spread out compared to the interstate. This drive is straightforward, so focus on enjoying the relatively short travel time.
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 77.7 miles from Cape Coral, FL, or about 1h 50m 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 77.7 miles or 1h 50m 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 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Windermere, 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 155.4 miles and 3h 45m.
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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 144.7 — 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.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Vincennes Boulevard
Enter roundabout onto Vincennes Boulevard
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
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
144.7 mi into trip|~3h 24m in
Take the exit toward FL 535: Lake Buena Vista
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 68
Toward FL 535: Lake Buena Vista
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.74 one way
$49.47 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg54 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$26.91
$53.81
premium
$4.72
$28.90
$57.79
diesel
$5.61
$34.31
$68.62
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: 54.4 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
46.6
0
$16.32
$7.46
Efficient EV
38.9
0
$13.60
$6.22
EV Truck/SUV
62.2
0
$21.76
$9.95
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
Late night
in Cape Coral on Sunday
Local time
3:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Windermere, FL
Late night
in Windermere on Sunday
Local time
3:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°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
13 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 45m 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?
The character of this drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 73% of the journey on faster roads. You'll experience a significant stretch of 87.7 miles on US 17, which will likely offer a different feel than the interstate portions. While I-4 will provide a more typical highway experience, the inclusion of US 17 suggests a potential for varied scenery and perhaps slightly slower speeds through populated areas. Overall, expect a drive that balances efficiency with moments of more local roadway character.
73% 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: 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 19 significant decision points across 155.4 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 0.1 miles (Vincennes Boulevard): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 30.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
On the drive from Cape Coral, FL to Windermere, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Arcadia along the way.
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 3h 45m. Total distance: 155.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (73%). 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 Windermere, 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 0.1 miles (Vincennes Boulevard): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 30.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Windermere, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
