Stock Island, FL to Cape Coral, FL is 294.9 miles and takes about 6h 31m via Overseas Highway and Alligator Alley, with a fuel budget near $47 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, moving from the Keys northward. While it includes some highway driving, much of the route is on surface roads, offering a more local feel. Plan for a single day of driving, keeping in mind the fuel cost is estimated at $47. This route is a straightforward way to get from the southern tip of Florida to the Gulf Coast.
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
147.4 miles from Stock Island, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 39m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Alligator Alley
106.6 mi
1h 54m
New Seven Mile Bridge
68.1 mi
1h 46m
Overseas Highway
35 mi
54m
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
34.8 mi
41m
Dixie Highway
19.4 mi
26m
Okeechobee Road
17.6 mi
22m
Daniels Parkway
4.8 mi
8m
College Parkway
3.2 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Alligator Alley
— 106.6 mi, about 1h 54m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 68 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,853 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,463
Quietest
2 AM
~179 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.9×
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 Stock Island, FL and Cape Coral, FL.
1
Start on this road
146 ft·14 sec·this road
2
Turn left
397 ft·31 sec
3
At end of road, turn right onto 5th Avenue
350 ft·9 sec·5th Avenue
4
Continue on 4th Avenue
0.2 mi·36 sec·4th Avenue
5
Turn left onto Maloney Avenue
0.1 mi·25 sec·Maloney Avenue
6
Turn right onto 2nd Street
0.1 mi·35 sec·2nd Street
7
At end of road, turn right onto US 1
35 mi·54 min·Overseas Highway
8
Continue on US 1
68 mi·1 hr 46 min·New Seven Mile Bridge
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on US 1
19 mi·26 min·Dixie Highway
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward Miami, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike NorthUse the straight / right lanes.
11
Continue on Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
13 mi·15 min·Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Toward Miami, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
3.6 mi·4 min·Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
2.5 mi·3 min·Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
16 mi·17 min·Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 35Toward US 27: Okeechobee RoadUse the right lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·15 sec
Toward US 27: Okeechobee Road
17
Merge onto US 27
18 mi·22 min·Okeechobee Road
Use the right lane.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 75: Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Naples
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 75 North: Naples
20
Merge onto I 75
107 mi·1 hr 54 min·Alligator Alley
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 131Toward CR 876: Cape CoralUse the slight right lane.
22
Keep slight left at fork
524 ft·16 sec
Toward CR 876 West: Lee County Sports Complex, Florida SouthWestern State College, Cape CoralUse the left lane.
23
Turn left
116 ft·5 sec
Toward CR 876 West
24
Turn left onto CR 876
4.8 mi·8 min·Daniels Parkway
Use the left lane.
25
Turn right onto US 41
0.7 mi·1 min·South Cleveland Avenue
26
Turn left onto College Parkway
3.2 mi·5 min·College Parkway
Use the left lane.
27
Continue on Cape Coral Bridge Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Cape Coral Bridge Road
28
Continue on Cape Coral Parkway East
1.0 mi·2 min·Cape Coral Parkway East
29
Turn right
200 ft·14 sec
30
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6.5-hour drive, consider leaving early in the morning to avoid any potential afternoon traffic. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before entering the longer highway sections, as services can be spread out. The estimated fuel cost is $47, so budget accordingly. A good tip for this specific route is to be mindful of the transition from the Overseas Highway to Alligator Alley, as the driving environment changes significantly.
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 147.4 miles from Stock Island, FL, or about 3h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 106.6 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 65 miles or 1h 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 147.4 miles or 3h 39m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 26m
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 Stock Island, 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 Stock Island, FL
This is one driving day of about 294.9 miles and 6h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Stock Island, 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 Alligator Alley for about 106.6 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 123.1 and 284.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
123.1 mi into trip|~3h 9m in
Take the exit toward Miami, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward Miami, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North
6
136.7 mi into trip|~3h 26m in|Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Keep slight right at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
158.3 mi into trip|~3h 51m in
Take the exit toward US 27: Okeechobee Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 35
Toward US 27: Okeechobee Road
7
284 mi into trip|~6h 11m 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
284.3 mi into trip|~6h 12m 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
$44.64 one way
$89.28 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg103 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$48.98
$97.97
premium
$4.55
$52.83
$105.65
diesel
$4.80
$55.68
$111.37
Estimated Tolls: $2.09
Homestead Extension
(34.8 mi)$2.09
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
88.5
1
$30.96
$14.16
Efficient EV
73.7
0
$25.80
$11.80
EV Truck/SUV
118
1
$41.29
$18.87
Gas CO2
103 kg
EV CO2
35 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Stock Island, FL
Late night
in Stock Island on Monday
Local time
3:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 0 to 10 mph22% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 6:24PM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 17 at 6:23PM EDT until July 17 at 7:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Destination
Cape Coral, FL
Late night
in Cape Coral on Monday
Local time
3:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
S 2 to 8 mph43% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 6:24PM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 17 at 6:23PM EDT until July 17 at 7:00PM 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
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
6h 31m 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.
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 132.2
Established in 1947 as the first national park created for its biodiversity, Everglades National Park protects 1.5 million acres of wetland, forest, and marine habitats and the native plants and anima...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly surface roads, meaning you'll encounter more local traffic and varying speed limits. About 15% of the route is on highways. You'll experience a long stretch of 106.6 miles on Alligator Alley, which will feel like more traditional highway cruising. Expect a mix of environments as you transition from coastal areas to more inland routes.
Only 15% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 106.6 mi on Alligator Alley.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 123.1 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 294.9 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 123.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 136.7 miles (Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 158.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
20 ft-2 ft
Total Climb
29 ft
Total Descent
27 ft
Highest Point
20 ft
~273.8 mi in
Elevation Range
22 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Stock Island, FL and Cape Coral, FL, road signs point toward Miami, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North, Fort Lauderdale and Naples.
Stock Island is a town east of Key West in the Florida Keys. Stock Island has a thriving artist community with specific enclaves that encompass artists/shops. Ten marinas and boat yards on the island are home to live-aboard residents, offer transient slips, charters and water sports activities. There are many restaurants and food trucks, a distillery and two craft breweries.
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 31m. Total distance: 294.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 31m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 106.6 miles on Alligator Alley. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.09 in tolls one way, starting with Homestead Extension. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 9 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 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. There are 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 123.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 136.7 miles (Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 158.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Biscayne National Park and Everglades National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.5 hours each way, a round trip means 13.0 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.
