If you are planning a trip from Sun City Center to Cape Coral, expect a straightforward journey spanning 110.5 miles. You should budget approximately 1 hour and 56 minutes of driving time to complete this trek. Given the manageable duration, this route works perfectly as a quick day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $18 on fuel for the trip. Since you will be navigating through local corridors like Cherry Hills Drive and North Pebble Beach Boulevard, the experience feels more like a regional transit than a major highway haul.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
55.1 miles from Sun City Center, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
82.2 mi
1h 28m
Tamiami Trail
10.4 mi
12m
Del Prado Boulevard North
6.5 mi
10m
Del Prado Boulevard South
6.2 mi
12m
Sun City Center Boulevard
2 mi
3m
Tuckers Grade
0.9 mi
1m
Cape Coral Parkway East
0.3 mi
<1m
North Pebble Beach Boulevard
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 82.2 mi, about 1h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sun City Center, FL and Cape Coral, FL.
1
Start on this road
370 ft·28 sec·this road
2
At end of road, turn right onto Cherry Hills Drive
0.2 mi·44 sec·Cherry Hills Drive
3
Turn left onto North Pebble Beach Boulevard
0.2 mi·41 sec·North Pebble Beach Boulevard
4
Turn right onto FL 674
2.0 mi·3 min·Sun City Center Boulevard
5
Continue on FL 674
0.1 mi·11 sec·College Avenue
6
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 75 South: Naples
7
Merge onto I 75
40 mi·42 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
42 mi·45 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Exit 158Toward CR 762: North Fort Myers, Cape Coral
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward CR 762 West, to US 41
11
Turn straight onto CR 762
0.9 mi·1 min·Tuckers Grade
12
Turn left onto US 41
10 mi·12 min·Tamiami Trail
Use the right lane.
13
Turn right onto CR 867A
6.5 mi·10 min·Del Prado Boulevard North
Use the left lane.
14
Continue on CR 867A
6.2 mi·12 min·Del Prado Boulevard South
15
Turn right onto Cape Coral Parkway East
0.3 mi·41 sec·Cape Coral Parkway East
Use the right lane.
16
Turn right
200 ft·14 sec
17
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive under two hours, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Aim to leave during off-peak hours to avoid potential congestion on the local roads that make up the entirety of your 110.5-mile journey. Because there are zero formal stops scheduled in this itinerary, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you depart to avoid hunting for a station along the local route. Keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of these streets means your average speed will remain lower than on a highway. Staying alert for intersections will be your best strategy for a smooth arrival in Cape Coral.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 55.1 miles from Sun City Center, FL, or about 1h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.2 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 24 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55.1 miles or 1h 2m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 41m
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 Sun City Center, 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 Sun City Center, FL
This is one driving day of about 110.1 miles and 2h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Sun City Center, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 82.2 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 97.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Cherry Hills Drive
At end of road, turn right onto Cherry Hills Drive
Navigation decision point
6
43.2 mi into trip|~49m 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.
6
85.4 mi into trip|~1h 34m in
Take the exit toward CR 762: North Fort Myers, Cape Coral
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 158
Toward CR 762: North Fort Myers, Cape Coral
7
85.7 mi into trip|~1h 35m 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
6
97.1 mi into trip|~1h 50m in|CR 867A / Del Prado Boulevard North
Turn right onto CR 867A / Del Prado Boulevard North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.52 one way
$35.05 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg39 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$19.06
$38.13
premium
$4.72
$20.47
$40.95
diesel
$5.61
$24.31
$48.62
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
33
0
$11.56
$5.28
Efficient EV
27.5
0
$9.63
$4.40
EV Truck/SUV
44
0
$15.41
$7.05
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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 20, 2026
Origin
Sun City Center, FL
Morning
in Sun City Center on Tuesday
Local time
8:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cape Coral, FL
Morning
in Cape Coral on Tuesday
Local time
8:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°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
2 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 14m 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.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route features a 0% highway share, requiring you to navigate through various local roads. You will spend your time on Sun City Center Boulevard and surrounding neighborhood streets, meaning there is no single long stretch of open road to zone out on. The longest uninterrupted segment is 0 miles on Cherry Hills Drive, which characterizes the technical, stop-and-go nature of the drive. It is a practical path that prioritizes local connectivity over high-speed cruising.
75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 82.2 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Tamiami Trail. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Cherry Hills Drive.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 110.1 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Cherry Hills Drive): Navigation decision point; at 43.2 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 85.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
53 ft5 ft
Total Climb
32 ft
Total Descent
80 ft
Highest Point
53 ft
Elevation Range
48 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Sun City Center, 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 2h 14m. Total distance: 110.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 82.2 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Cherry Hills Drive): Navigation decision point; at 43.2 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 85.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — De Soto National Memorial. 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.
