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Trip from Hialeah Gardens, FL to Cape Coral, FL

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 44m

Distance

143.6 mi

231 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min
4 AM
2h 33m ★
6 AM
2h 44m
8 AM
3h 6m
10 AM
2h 52m
12 PM
2h 49m
3 PM
2h 53m
5 PM
3h 4m
8 PM
2h 38m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Hialeah Gardens, FL, FL

Hialeah Gardens, FL

DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ

city in Lee County, Florida, United States

Cape Coral, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This straightforward 143.6-mile drive from Hialeah Gardens, FL, to Cape Coral, FL, is easily manageable in a single day, with an estimated travel time of 2 hours and 44 minutes. The majority of your journey, about 97% of it, will be on major highways, making it a predominantly highway-focused experience. Budget around $23 for fuel, and plan for just one stop along the way. Given its relatively short duration and highway nature, this route is perfectly suited as a day trip, allowing you ample flexibility to depart when you're ready and arrive without feeling rushed. You'll be traveling within the state of Florida for the entire trip.

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

71.8 miles from Hialeah Gardens, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 18m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 75 129.8 mi 2h 19m
Daniels Parkway 4.8 mi 8m
College Parkway 3.2 mi 5m
Palmetto Expressway 1.2 mi 1m
Cape Coral Parkway East 1 mi 2m
South Cleveland Avenue 0.7 mi 1m
Cape Coral Bridge Road 0.7 mi 1m
Northwest 103rd Street 0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 75 — 129.8 mi, about 2h 19m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Hialeah Gardens, FL and Cape Coral, FL.

1

Start on this road

523 ft · 41 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto SR 932

0.1 mi · 25 sec · Northwest 103rd Street
3

Turn left onto West 20th Avenue

424 ft · 9 sec · West 20th Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
4

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 45 sec
Toward SR 826 North
5

Merge onto SR 826

1.2 mi · 1 min · Palmetto Expressway
6

Take the exit

1.1 mi · 1 min
Toward I 75 North: Naples Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Merge onto I 75

16 mi · 16 min · I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75

114 mi · 2 hr 2 min · I 75
Toward Alligator Alley, Naples Use the slight left / straight lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Exit 131 Toward CR 876: Cape Coral Use the slight right lane.
10

Keep slight left at fork

524 ft · 16 sec
Toward CR 876 West: Lee County Sports Complex, Florida SouthWestern State College, Cape Coral Use the left lane.
11

Turn left

116 ft · 5 sec
Toward CR 876 West
12

Turn left onto CR 876

4.8 mi · 8 min · Daniels Parkway
Use the left lane.
13

Turn right onto US 41

0.7 mi · 1 min · South Cleveland Avenue
14

Turn left onto College Parkway

3.2 mi · 5 min · College Parkway
Use the left lane.
15

Continue on Cape Coral Bridge Road

0.7 mi · 1 min · Cape Coral Bridge Road
16

Continue on Cape Coral Parkway East

1.0 mi · 2 min · Cape Coral Parkway East
17

Turn right

200 ft · 14 sec
18

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

With a total duration of about 2 hours and 44 minutes, this is a convenient day trip, so you can leave Hialeah Gardens whenever it suits you best. Aim to depart in the morning to take advantage of lighter traffic, especially as you approach the Cape Coral area. You'll have one main stretch of 129.8 miles on I-75, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly before you embark on that segment. The estimated fuel cost is $23, which is quite reasonable for this distance, so keep an eye on your gauge as you get closer to your destination.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 71.8 miles from Hialeah Gardens, FL, or about 1h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 129.8 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 32 miles or 36m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 71.8 miles or 1h 18m 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 8m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cape Coral, FL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Hialeah Gardens, 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 Hialeah Gardens, FL

This is one driving day of about 143.6 miles and 2h 44m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Hialeah Gardens, 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 129.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Golden Gate, FL, FL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Golden Gate, FL

72 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

Sunshine Ranches, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Golden Gate, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 71.8 miles from Hialeah Gardens, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 129.8 miles.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Mercedes-Benz High-Power Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 133.4

Fort Myers, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18555023851

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 133.4

Fort Myers, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 133.4

Fort Myers, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Later in the drive, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 112.9

Naples, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 112.9

Naples, Florida

+12392622600

Visit website

AmpUp Charging Station

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 123.1

Estero, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Nissan Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 133.4

Fort Myers, Florida

Hours: 8:30 am–8 pm

+18776642738

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 143.6

Cape Coral, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Sun-N-Fun Lagoon

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 112.9

Naples, Florida

Hours: Closed

+12392524021

Visit website

Miramar Regional Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 10.3

Miramar, Florida

Hours: 8 am–9 pm

+19548836950

Visit website

Everglades Swamp Tours - Airboat Rides Fort Lauderdale

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 41

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+13058490135

Visit website

Amelia Earhart Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour

Hialeah, Florida

+13056858389

Visit website

Volunteer Park Community Center

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 20.5

Plantation, Florida

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+19544522558

Visit website

iFLY Indoor Skydiving - Fort Lauderdale

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 20.5

Davie, Florida

Hours: 10 am–5:30 pm

+19542804359

Visit website

Wonder Gardens

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 123.1

Bonita Springs, Florida

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+12399922591

Visit website

Gulf Coast Town Center Play Ground

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 133.4

Fort Myers, Florida

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 133.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
0.2 mi into trip | ~1m in | West 20th Avenue

Turn left onto West 20th Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left lanes.
6
1.8 mi into trip | ~3m in

Take the exit toward I 75 North: Naples

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 75 North: Naples
8
18.7 mi into trip | ~22m in | I 75

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward Alligator Alley, Naples

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Toward Alligator Alley, Naples
7
132.7 mi into trip | ~2h 24m in

Take the exit toward CR 876: Cape Coral

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 131 Toward CR 876: Cape Coral
8
133.1 mi into trip | ~2h 24m in

Keep slight left at fork toward CR 876 West: Lee County Sports Complex, Florida SouthWestern State College, Cape Coral

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left lane. Toward CR 876 West: Lee County Sports Complex,...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$22.86 one way

$45.71 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 50 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.40 $24.86 $49.73
premium $4.72 $26.70 $53.40
diesel $5.61 $31.71 $63.41

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$48–$73

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 50.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 43.1 0 $15.08 $6.89
Efficient EV 35.9 0 $12.57 $5.74
EV Truck/SUV 57.4 0 $20.10 $9.19

Gas CO2

50 kg

EV CO2

17 kg (66% 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 18, 2026

Origin

Hialeah Gardens, FL

Morning in Hialeah Gardens on Sunday

Local time

6:04 AM

EDT

Current temp

72°F

Partly Cloudy

E 6 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Fire Weather Watch

Fire Weather Watch issued April 17 at 2:19PM EDT until April 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL

Fire Weather Watch

Fire Weather Watch issued April 17 at 2:19PM EDT until April 20 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL

Destination

Cape Coral, FL

Morning in Cape Coral on Sunday

Local time

6:04 AM

EDT

Current temp

71°F

Partly Cloudy

ENE 3 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Fire Weather Watch

Fire Weather Watch issued April 17 at 2:19PM EDT until April 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL

Fire Weather Watch

Fire Weather Watch issued April 17 at 2:19PM EDT until April 20 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL

68°F

Golden Gate, FL

72 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

1 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

2h 44m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

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.

Biscayne National Park

Biscayne National Park

National Park

Within sight of Miami, yet worlds away, Biscayne protects a rare combination of aquamarine waters, emerald islands, and fish-bejeweled coral reefs. Evidence of 10,000 years of human history is here to...

27 mi from route ~67 min detour Free
Caution: Boater Awareness
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-centric experience for nearly the entirety of this 143.6-mile trip, with 97% of the route utilizing major roadways. The longest stretch you'll encounter without a significant road change is a substantial 129.8 miles along I-75. This means you'll largely be on fast-paced, multi-lane highways, with minimal deviations onto local roads like Daniels Parkway and College Parkway as you near your destination. The profile is consistently highway-focused, offering a predictable driving rhythm for most of the journey.

97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 129.8 mi on I 75.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Daniels Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near West 20th Avenue.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 143.6 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: at 0.2 miles (West 20th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.7 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Hialeah Gardens, FL and Cape Coral, FL, road signs point toward Alligator Alley, Naples, Cr 876: Cape Coral, Cr 876 West: Lee County Sports Complex, Florida Southwestern State College and Cr 876 West.

Alligator Alley

18.7 mi in | ~22m | via I 75

Naples

18.7 mi in | ~22m | via I 75

Cr 876: Cape Coral

132.7 mi in | ~2h 24m

Cr 876 West: Lee County Sports Complex

133.1 mi in | ~2h 24m

Florida Southwestern State College

133.1 mi in | ~2h 24m

Cr 876 West

133.2 mi in | ~2h 25m

About the Cities

Arriving in Cape Coral, FL

Full guide →

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 2h 44m. Total distance: 143.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 129.8 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 Cape Coral, 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: at 0.2 miles (West 20th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.7 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — Biscayne National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Cape Coral, FL before heading back.

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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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