Orange Park to Cape Coral is 304.1 miles and takes about 6h 9m via I 75, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a highway-focused drive primarily on I 75, taking you across Florida. Expect a fairly direct trip with minimal detours. With only one recommended stop and a drive time under seven hours, it's well-suited for a single-day journey. This route keeps you moving, making it a practical choice when you need to get from point A to point B efficiently within the state.
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
152.1 miles from Orange Park, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 12m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
199.2 mi
3h 33m
Blanding Boulevard
40.5 mi
1h
Sid Martin Highway
26.1 mi
32m
Tamiami Trail
10.4 mi
12m
Del Prado Boulevard North
6.5 mi
10m
County Road 219A
6.5 mi
8m
Del Prado Boulevard South
6.2 mi
12m
Kingsley Avenue
2.5 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 199.2 mi, about 3h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Orange Park, FL and Cape Coral, FL.
1
Start on Plainfield Avenue
102 ft·7 sec·Plainfield Avenue
2
Turn right onto FL 224
2.5 mi·4 min·Kingsley Avenue
Use the right lane.
3
Turn left onto FL 21
41 mi·1 hr·Blanding Boulevard
Use the left lane.
4
Turn right onto FL 26
1.4 mi·2 min·Pensacola-St. Augustine Highway
5
Turn left onto CR 219A
6.5 mi·8 min·County Road 219A
Use the left lane.
6
At end of road, turn left onto US 301
26 mi·32 min·Sid Martin Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
Turn right onto FL 326
1.5 mi·2 min·Northwest 70th Street
Use the right lane.
8
Continue on FL 326
1.2 mi·2 min·Northwest 77th Street
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 75 South: Tampa
10
Merge onto I 75
83 mi·1 hr 28 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
74 mi·1 hr 19 min·I 75
Toward South I 75: NaplesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
42 mi·45 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Exit 158Toward CR 762: North Fort Myers, Cape Coral
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward CR 762 West, to US 41
15
Turn straight onto CR 762
0.9 mi·1 min·Tuckers Grade
16
Turn left onto US 41
10 mi·12 min·Tamiami Trail
Use the right lane.
17
Turn right onto CR 867A
6.5 mi·10 min·Del Prado Boulevard North
Use the left lane.
18
Continue on CR 867A
6.2 mi·12 min·Del Prado Boulevard South
19
Turn right onto Cape Coral Parkway East
0.3 mi·41 sec·Cape Coral Parkway East
Use the right lane.
20
Turn right
200 ft·14 sec
21
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 6h 9m duration, leaving Orange Park in the morning will allow you to reach Cape Coral with plenty of daylight to spare. Plan for one stop to break up the drive, perhaps around the halfway point to stretch your legs and refuel. The longest stretch on I 75 means you'll want to ensure your fuel tank is adequately filled before merging onto it for that extended period. Keep an eye on the fuel cost estimate of $48 to budget accordingly for your trip.
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 152.1 miles from Orange Park, FL, or about 3h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 199.2 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 67 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 152.1 miles or 3h 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 57m
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 Orange Park, 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 Orange Park, FL
This is one driving day of about 304.1 miles and 6h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 miles from Orange Park, 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 199.2 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 279.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|FL 224 / Kingsley Avenue
Turn right onto FL 224 / Kingsley Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
77 mi into trip|~1h 50m in|FL 326 / Northwest 70th Street
Turn right onto FL 326 / Northwest 70th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
162.9 mi into trip|~3h 24m in|I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward South I 75: Naples
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward South I 75: Naples
6
237.2 mi into trip|~4h 44m in|I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
279.7 mi into trip|~5h 29m in
Keep slight right at fork toward CR 762 West, to US 41
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward CR 762 West, to US 41
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.40 one way
$96.81 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg106 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$52.65
$105.31
premium
$4.72
$56.55
$113.09
diesel
$5.61
$67.14
$134.28
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 106.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
91.2
1
$31.93
$14.60
Efficient EV
76
0
$26.61
$12.16
EV Truck/SUV
121.6
1
$42.57
$19.46
Gas CO2
106 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (66% 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 Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Orange Park, FL
Late night
in Orange Park on Tuesday
Local time
5:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cape Coral, FL
Late night
in Cape Coral on Tuesday
Local time
5:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Sunny
SSE 3 to 9 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 18 at 6:56AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 18 at 2:27AM EDT until April 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
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
22 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
6h 9m 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.
De Soto National Memorial
National Memorial
In May 1539, Conquistador Hernando de Soto’s army of soldiers, hired mercenaries, craftsmen, and clergy made landfall in Tampa Bay. They were met with fierce resistance of indigenous people protecting...
9 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 209.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly a highway experience, with 66% of the journey on major roadways like I 75. You'll encounter long stretches of consistent speed, including a significant segment of 199.2 miles on I 75 without needing to exit. The route begins on Blanding Boulevard and Sid Martin Highway before transitioning to the faster pace of the interstate. While largely a high-speed transit, the initial and final portions offer a slight variation before you settle into the rhythm of the highway for the bulk of the trip.
66% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 199.2 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Blanding Boulevard. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near FL 224 / Kingsley Avenue.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 304.1 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 (FL 224 / Kingsley Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 77 miles (FL 326 / Northwest 70th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 162.9 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Orange Park, FL and Cape Coral, FL, road signs point toward Cr 762: North Fort Myers, Cr 762 West and To Us 41.
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 9m. Total distance: 304.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 9m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 199.2 miles on I 75. 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: near the start (FL 224 / Kingsley Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 77 miles (FL 326 / Northwest 70th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 162.9 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — De Soto National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Cape Coral, FL before the return drive.
