This 147.5-mile drive from Hobe Sound to Cape Coral, Florida, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 28 minutes. You'll spend about 57% of your time on highways, with the bulk of the journey covering 49.2 miles on FL 78. With an estimated fuel cost of $23, this route offers a straightforward and efficient way to travel between these two Florida locations. This is a practical option for a day trip, allowing you ample time to reach your destination without feeling rushed. You'll encounter a mixed driving profile, so be prepared for varying road conditions.
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
73.8 miles from Hobe Sound, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 43m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
FL 78
49.2 mi
1h 4m
Hickpochee Avenue
24 mi
34m
Southwest Martin Highway
18 mi
26m
I 95
13.4 mi
14m
US 98
6.4 mi
10m
Southeast Bridge Road
6.2 mi
10m
I 75
4.3 mi
4m
Southwest Warfield Boulevard
4 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
FL 78
— 49.2 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hobe Sound, FL and Cape Coral, FL.
1
Start on CR 708
6.2 mi·10 min·Southeast Bridge Road
2
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 North: Daytona Beach
3
Merge onto I 95
13 mi·14 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Exit 110Toward FL 714, CR 714: Martin Highway
5
Keep slight left at fork
189 ft·6 sec
Toward FL 714: Martin Highway
6
Turn left onto FL 714
18 mi·26 min·Southwest Martin Highway
7
At end of road, turn right onto FL 710
4.0 mi·5 min·Southwest Warfield Boulevard
8
Turn left onto CR 15A
0.9 mi·1 min·Southeast 86th Boulevard
Use the left lane.
9
At end of road, turn right onto US 98; US 441
5.0 mi·7 min·US 98; US 441
10
Enter roundabout onto US 98; US 441
130 ft·2 sec·US 98; US 441
11
Continue on US 98; US 441
1.3 mi·2 min·US 98; US 441
12
Continue on FL 78
4.5 mi·6 min·FL 78
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on FL 78
30 mi·39 min·FL 78
14
Turn right onto US 27; FL 78
3.7 mi·4 min·US 27; FL 78
15
Turn left onto FL 78
15 mi·18 min·FL 78
16
Turn left onto FL 29
4.0 mi·6 min·FL 29
17
Turn right onto FL 29; FL 80
24 mi·34 min·Hickpochee Avenue
Use the left lane.
18
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 75 SouthUse the straight lane.
19
Merge onto I 75
4.3 mi·4 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 136Toward FL 884: Fort Myers, Lehigh AcresUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork
510 ft·14 sec
Toward SR 884: Colonial BlvdUse the right lane.
22
Merge onto FL 884
3.9 mi·6 min·Colonial Boulevard
Use the right lane.
23
Turn left onto Fowler Street
1.3 mi·2 min·Fowler Street
Use the left lane.
24
Continue on Boy Scout Drive
0.5 mi·50 sec·Boy Scout Drive
25
Turn straight onto CR 869
1.5 mi·2 min·Summerlin Road
26
Turn slight right
0.2 mi·45 sec
27
Keep slight right at fork
167 ft·6 sec
28
Keep slight right at fork
147 ft·5 sec
29
Turn straight onto College Parkway
2.3 mi·4 min·College Parkway
Use the left lane.
30
Continue on Cape Coral Bridge Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Cape Coral Bridge Road
31
Continue on Cape Coral Parkway East
1.0 mi·2 min·Cape Coral Parkway East
32
Turn right
200 ft·14 sec
33
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 28-minute duration, departing Hobe Sound in the morning is ideal, allowing you to arrive in Cape Coral with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your journey; consider a brief break around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $23 estimate is based on the total mileage, and it's always wise to top off before embarking on the longest stretch of 49.2 miles on FL 78. This route is well-suited for a single day, so you can depart when it's most convenient for you.
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 73.8 miles from Hobe Sound, FL, or about 1h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.2 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 32 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 73.8 miles or 1h 43m 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 47m
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 Hobe Sound, 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 Hobe Sound, FL
This is one driving day of about 147.5 miles and 3h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Hobe Sound, 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 FL 78 for about 49.2 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 20.2 and 135.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
20.2 mi into trip|~26m in
Take the exit toward FL 714, CR 714: Martin Highway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 110
Toward FL 714, CR 714: Martin Highway
6
42.5 mi into trip|~59m in|CR 15A / Southeast 86th Boulevard
Turn left onto CR 15A / Southeast 86th Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
130.8 mi into trip|~3h 1m in
Take the exit toward I 75 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 75 South
8
135.6 mi into trip|~3h 7m in
Take the exit toward FL 884: Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres
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 136
Toward FL 884: Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres
8
135.9 mi into trip|~3h 7m in
Keep slight right at fork toward SR 884: Colonial Blvd
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward SR 884: Colonial Blvd
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.48 one way
$46.96 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg52 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$25.54
$51.08
premium
$4.72
$27.43
$54.85
diesel
$5.61
$32.57
$65.13
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: 51.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
44.3
0
$15.49
$7.08
Efficient EV
36.9
0
$12.91
$5.90
EV Truck/SUV
59
0
$20.65
$9.44
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 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
Hobe Sound, FL
Late night
in Hobe Sound on Sunday
Local time
12:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cape Coral, FL
Late night
in Cape Coral on Sunday
Local time
12:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 28m 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 mixed driving experience on this route, with a significant portion, 57%, on highways. The drive features a notable uninterrupted stretch of 49.2 miles along FL 78, offering a chance to settle into a rhythm. As you transition between Hickpochee Avenue and Southwest Martin Highway, the road character will likely change, moving from potentially faster highway speeds to more local road conditions. This blend means you won't be on a monotonous interstate for the entire journey, providing a more dynamic drive.
57% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 49.2 mi on FL 78.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 20.2 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 147.5 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 20.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.5 miles (CR 15A / Southeast 86th Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 130.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hobe Sound, FL and Cape Coral, FL, road signs point toward Cr 714: Martin Highway and Lehigh Acres.
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 28m. Total distance: 147.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 49.2 miles on FL 78. 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 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 20.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.5 miles (CR 15A / Southeast 86th Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 130.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Cape Coral, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
