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

The driving distance from Lake Wales, FL to Cape Coral, FL is about 126.6 miles (203.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 26m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 95.1 miles (153.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 52m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
126.59 mi
02h 26m
Flight
95.14 mi
153.12 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Lake Wales.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
95.14 mi
Kilometers
153.12 km
Flight Time
00h 11m

Driving Distance

Road route
126.59 mi
Kilometers
203.72 km
Drive Time
02h 26m

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 02h 26m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Cape Coral
Sun, May 31, 1:07 AM EDT
Return by in Lake Wales
Sun, May 31, 3:33 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lake Wales
2026-05-30T22:41
Arrive Cape Coral
Sun, May 31, 1:07 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 26m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:26 AM to 12:26 PM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:38 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Lake Wales
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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
Arcadia
FL

City in Florida

From Lake Wales
59 mi
01h 13m
To Cape Coral
67.5 mi
01h 13m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
89°F
This Afternoon

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, May 30 5:00 PM EDT
Wind
7 mph W
Destination
89°F
This Afternoon

Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Sat, May 30 5:00 PM EDT
Wind
7 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    18 m · 7 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto East Central Avenue

    1.4 km · 2 min · East Central Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn left onto US 27

    22.9 mi · 29 min · US 27

  4. 4

    Continue straight

    54 m · 8 sec

  5. 5

    Turn right onto West Main Street

    12.2 mi · 16 min · West Main Street

  6. 6

    Turn left

    7.3 mi · 9 min

  7. 7

    Turn left

    1.2 mi · 2 min

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    1.1 mi · 1 min

  9. 9

    Continue straight

    2.5 mi · 3 min

  10. 10

    Continue straight

    38.8 mi · 53 min

  11. 11

    Turn left onto I 75 South: Naples

    2330 ft · 59 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    5.8 mi · 6 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward CR 762: North Fort Myers, Cape Coral

    1532 ft · 37 sec

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on CR 762 West, to US 41

    859 ft · 21 sec

  15. 15

    Turn straight onto Tuckers Grade

    1.4 km · 2 min · Tuckers Grade

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Tamiami Trail

    10.4 mi · 13 min · Tamiami Trail

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Del Prado Boulevard North

    6.5 mi · 11 min · Del Prado Boulevard North

  18. 18

    Continue on Del Prado Boulevard South

    6.2 mi · 13 min · Del Prado Boulevard South

  19. 19

    Turn right onto Cape Coral Parkway East

    1669 ft · 41 sec · Cape Coral Parkway East

  20. 20

    Turn right

    61 m · 15 sec

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
21 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
West Main Street
54.5 mi · 43%
US 27
22.9 mi · 18%
Tamiami Trail
10.4 mi · 8%
Del Prado Boulevard North
6.5 mi · 5%
I 75 South
6.28 mi · 5%
Del Prado Boulevard South
6.15 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

West Main Street

Continue straight

38.8 mi · 00h 53m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 26m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+31.5 mi
95.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Arcadia
01h 13m from Lake Wales
Leave By
1:38 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Lake Wales and Mostly Cloudy near Cape Coral.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 126.6 miles (203.7 km) and usually takes 02h 26m in normal driving conditions.

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

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Arcadia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 59 miles from Lake Wales and 67.5 miles from Cape Coral.

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

The direct path is about 95.1 miles (153.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.5 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:38 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.54 one way or $37.08 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 39.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Lake Wales and Mostly Cloudy near Cape Coral.

Stop Ideas Near Arcadia

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Arcadia, 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 Arcadia.

BUS

Port Charlotte, Florida

30 mi away
909 King Highway
RAIL

Sebring

52 mi away
601 East Center St
BUS

Fort Myers, Florida

59 mi away
6050 Plaza Drive
BUS

Bradenton, Florida

68 mi away
1115 Manatee Avenue West

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lake Wales and Cape Coral. Straight-line distance: 95.14 mi (153.12 km).

Lake Wales

#1 Lake Wales

City in Polk County, Florida, United States

Population17,693
Coordinates27.9014100, -81.5859100
Altitude45
CountryUnited States
Cape Coral

#2 Cape Coral

The second most populous city in Lee County, Florida.

Population200,972
Coordinates26.5628500, -81.9495300
Altitude1
CountryUnited States
Start: (-81.586003, 27.90138)
End: (-81.94953, 26.562855)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 204 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 13m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 09m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 31m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 06m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 48m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 34m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.47 gal
16.91 L · about $18.54
Round trip
$37.08
8.94 gal · 33.82 L
Estimated CO2
39.7 kg one way
Round trip: 79.4 kg / 175 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.15 $18.54 $37.08
Mid-grade $4.60 $20.54 $41.09
Premium $4.90 $21.89 $43.77
Diesel $4.35 $19.44 $38.89

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 31, 2026

There is no time difference between Lake Wales and Cape Coral. The current time is 22:41:00.

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.