How far is Cape Coral, FL from Lake City, FL?

The driving distance from Cape Coral, FL to Lake City, FL is about 295.2 miles (475 km), with a travel time of about 05h 34m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 254.1 miles (408.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 08m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
295.16 mi
05h 34m
Flight
254.07 mi
408.89 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Cape Coral.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
254.07 mi
Kilometers
408.89 km
Flight Time
00h 30m

Driving Distance

Road route
295.16 mi
Kilometers
475.02 km
Drive Time
05h 34m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 05h 34m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lake City
Sat, May 30, 6:57 PM EDT
Return by in Cape Coral
Sun, May 31, 12:31 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cape Coral
2026-05-30T13:22
Arrive Lake City
Sat, May 30, 6:57 PM EDT
Route Timing
05h 34m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:34 AM to 1:34 PM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
5:52 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Cape Coral
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Wesley Chapel
FL

Census-designated place in Pasco County, Florida

From Cape Coral
147.9 mi
02h 47m
To Lake City
147.3 mi
02h 47m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
88°F
Saturday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, May 30 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 12 mph W
Destination
85°F
Saturday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, May 30 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 7 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Cape Coral and Lake City.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cape Coral and Lake City.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    29 m · 7 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Cape Coral Parkway East

    38 m · 7 sec · Cape Coral Parkway East

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Vincennes Boulevard

    109 m · 13 sec · Vincennes Boulevard

  4. 4

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Vincennes Boulevard

    19 m · 2 sec · Vincennes Boulevard

  5. 5

    Exit the roundabout onto Vincennes Boulevard

    2436 ft · 1 min · Vincennes Boulevard

  6. 6

    Turn right onto Coronado Parkway

    1 km · 2 min · Coronado Parkway

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Del Prado Boulevard South

    5.2 mi · 11 min · Del Prado Boulevard South

  8. 8

    Continue on Del Prado Boulevard North

    6.5 mi · 11 min · Del Prado Boulevard North

  9. 9

    Turn left onto North Tamiami Trail

    10.4 mi · 13 min · North Tamiami Trail

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Tuckers Grade

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Tuckers Grade

  11. 11

    Take the ramp slight left toward I 75 North: Tampa

    2299 ft · 56 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    265 mi · 4 hr 45 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward FL 47: Fort White, Lake City

    1114 ft · 29 sec

  14. 14

    Turn straight onto Southwest State Road 47

    3.6 mi · 6 min · Southwest State Road 47

  15. 15

    Turn straight onto Southwest Main Boulevard

    1.5 mi · 3 min · Southwest Main Boulevard

  16. 16

    Turn right

    12 m · 3 sec

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Cape Coral and Lake City.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
17 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
1 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
5.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 75 North
265 mi · 90%
North Tamiami Trail
10.4 mi · 4%
Del Prado Boulevard North
6.5 mi · 2%
Del Prado Boulevard South
5.2 mi · 2%
Southwest State Road 47
3.57 mi · 1%
Southwest Main Boulevard
1.48 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 75 North

Merge slight left

265 mi · 04h 45m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
05h 34m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
11h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+41.1 mi
254.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Wesley Chapel
02h 47m from Cape Coral
Leave By
5:52 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Cape Coral and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lake City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Cape Coral to Lake City?

The road trip is about 295.2 miles (475 km) and usually takes 05h 34m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Wesley Chapel is a useful midpoint, sitting about 147.9 miles from Cape Coral and 147.3 miles from Lake City.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 254.1 miles (408.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 41.1 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:52 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $43.22 one way or $86.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 92.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Cape Coral and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lake City.

Stop Ideas Near Wesley Chapel

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Wesley Chapel, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Wesley Chapel.

OTHER

Dade City, Florida

20 mi away
14218 US Highway 98
RAIL

Union Station

34 mi away
601 North Nebraska Ave
RAIL

Lakeland

43 mi away
600 East Main Street
RAIL

Lakeland

43 mi away
600 East Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cape Coral and Lake City. Straight-line distance: 254.07 mi (408.89 km).

Cape Coral

#1 Cape Coral

The second most populous city in Lee County, Florida.

Population200,972
Coordinates26.5628500, -81.9495300
Altitude1
CountryUnited States
Lake City

#2 Lake City

County seat of Columbia County, Florida, United States

Population12,352
Coordinates30.1896800, -82.6392900
Altitude59
CountryUnited States
Start: Cape Coral (-81.94953, 26.56285)
End: Lake City (-82.63929, 30.18968)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 475 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 50m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 22m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 54m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 55m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 13m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 40m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
10.42 gal
39.43 L · about $43.22
Round trip
$86.44
20.84 gal · 78.86 L
Estimated CO2
92.6 kg one way
Round trip: 185.2 kg / 408 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.15 $43.22 $86.44
Mid-grade $4.60 $47.89 $95.78
Premium $4.90 $51.02 $102.03
Diesel $4.35 $45.33 $90.65

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Florida · May 30, 2026

There is no time difference between Cape Coral and Lake City. The current time is 13:22:56.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.