Traveling from Temple Terrace to Cape Coral covers 136.4 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate haul, you can easily complete the journey as a one-day trip. You should budget approximately $22 for fuel to cover the distance. Navigating via Bullard Parkway, North 56th Street, and East Hillsborough Avenue requires your full attention, as the route avoids major highway systems entirely. Whether you are heading south for a quick getaway or a longer visit, the straightforward nature of this 136.4-mile trek makes it a manageable drive for any traveler looking to stay off the interstates.
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
67.5 miles from Temple Terrace, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
102.8 mi
1h 50m
Tamiami Trail
10.4 mi
12m
Del Prado Boulevard North
6.5 mi
10m
Del Prado Boulevard South
6.2 mi
12m
North 56th Street
2.5 mi
4m
Hillsborough Avenue
1.5 mi
2m
East Hillsborough Avenue
1.3 mi
2m
Tuckers Grade
0.9 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 102.8 mi, about 1h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Temple Terrace, FL and Cape Coral, FL.
1
Start on Ridgedale Road
0.2 mi·38 sec·Ridgedale Road
2
Turn right onto Bullard Parkway
0.2 mi·23 sec·Bullard Parkway
3
Turn left onto FL 583
2.5 mi·4 min·North 56th Street
Use the left lane.
4
Turn left onto US 92
1.3 mi·2 min·East Hillsborough Avenue
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on US 92
1.5 mi·2 min·Hillsborough Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·37 sec
Toward I 4 East: Orlando
7
Merge onto I 4
0.5 mi·29 sec·I 4
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·33 sec
Exit 9Toward I 75: Ocala, NaplesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·45 sec
Toward I 75 South: NaplesUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 75
61 mi·1 hr 5 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
42 mi·45 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Exit 158Toward CR 762: North Fort Myers, Cape Coral
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward CR 762 West, to US 41
14
Turn straight onto CR 762
0.9 mi·1 min·Tuckers Grade
15
Turn left onto US 41
10 mi·12 min·Tamiami Trail
Use the right lane.
16
Turn right onto CR 867A
6.5 mi·10 min·Del Prado Boulevard North
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on CR 867A
6.2 mi·12 min·Del Prado Boulevard South
18
Turn right onto Cape Coral Parkway East
0.3 mi·41 sec·Cape Coral Parkway East
Use the right lane.
19
Turn right
200 ft·14 sec
20
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short 2-hour and 15-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. However, because you are navigating local roads like North 56th Street and East Hillsborough Avenue, try to avoid peak rush hour traffic to keep your travel time predictable. Ensure your tank is ready for the road, as the $22 fuel estimate is based on the specific distance traveled and local efficiency. Because there are no designated stops on this route, make sure to plan your own breaks for food or fuel before you hit the road. Keep your GPS active and ready, as the turn-heavy nature of this path makes missing a single street sign particularly disruptive to your arrival time.
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 67.5 miles from Temple Terrace, FL, or about 1h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102.8 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 30 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 67.5 miles or 1h 16m 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 3m
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 Temple Terrace, 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 Temple Terrace, FL
This is one driving day of about 135 miles and 2h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Temple Terrace, 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 102.8 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.6 and 110.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
6.6 mi into trip|~10m in
Take the exit toward I 75: Ocala, Naples
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 9
Toward I 75: Ocala, Naples
7
7 mi into trip|~11m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 75 South: Naples
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 75 South: Naples
6
68.1 mi into trip|~1h 17m 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
110.3 mi into trip|~2h 2m 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
110.6 mi into trip|~2h 3m 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
$21.49 one way
$42.98 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg47 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$23.38
$46.75
premium
$4.72
$25.10
$50.21
diesel
$5.61
$29.81
$59.61
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
40.5
0
$14.17
$6.48
Efficient EV
33.8
0
$11.81
$5.40
EV Truck/SUV
54
0
$18.90
$8.64
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 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 13, 2026
Origin
Temple Terrace, FL
Late night
in Temple Terrace on Sunday
Local time
12:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cape Coral, FL
Late night
in Cape Coral on Sunday
Local time
12:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Mostly Sunny
ENE 12 mph0% chanceLive 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
3 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
2h 42m 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.
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...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 41.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highly tactile experience behind the wheel, as this 136.4-mile trip is defined by its turn-heavy local nature rather than long, monotonous stretches. With a highway share of 0%, your time will be spent navigating through local infrastructure, meaning there are no long, uninterrupted highway segments to zone out on. The longest stretch you will encounter is 0 miles on Bullard Parkway, highlighting the frequency of turns you will need to manage throughout the journey. This is a route that demands active driving, requiring you to remain engaged with local traffic patterns and intersections as you transition between the various city streets.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 102.8 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Tamiami Trail. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.6 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 15 significant decision points across 135 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 6.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 68.1 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
60 ft5 ft
Total Climb
48 ft
Total Descent
103 ft
Highest Point
60 ft
Elevation Range
55 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Temple Terrace, 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 42m. Total distance: 135 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 102.8 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 6.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 68.1 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Cape Coral, FL before heading back.
