How far is Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL from Cape Coral, FL?

The driving distance from Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL to Cape Coral, FL is about 146.6 miles (236 km), with a travel time of about 02h 21m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 117.5 miles (189.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 43m 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
146.64 mi
02h 21m
Flight
117.53 mi
189.15 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Lauderdale-by-the-Sea.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
117.53 mi
Kilometers
189.15 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
146.64 mi
Kilometers
236 km
Drive Time
02h 21m

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 21m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Cape Coral
Sun, Apr 19, 8:10 AM EDT
Return by in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea
Sun, Apr 19, 10:31 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lauderdale-by-the-Sea
2026-04-19T05:48
Arrive Cape Coral
Sun, Apr 19, 8:10 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 21m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:22 AM to 12:22 PM EDT

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

Leave by
1:46 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea
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
Immokalee
FL

City in Collier County, Florida, United States

From Lauderdale-by-the-Sea
73.3 mi
01h 10m
To Cape Coral
73.4 mi
01h 10m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
85°F
Sunday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 9 mph SE
Destination
86°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
1 to 12 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Lauderdale-by-the-Sea and Cape Coral.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lauderdale-by-the-Sea and Cape Coral.

  1. 1

    Start on Ocean Drive

    815 ft · 27 sec · Ocean Drive

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Commercial Boulevard

    3.2 mi · 7 min · Commercial Boulevard

  3. 3

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 95 South: Miami

    1.1 km · 1 min

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    2.7 mi · 3 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight left toward Express Lanes Entrance

    112 m · 9 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto 95 Express

    4 mi · 5 min · 95 Express

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight left toward I 595 West: I 75, Turnpike

    1.6 km · 2 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight right onto Port Everglades Expressway

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Port Everglades Expressway

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on Port Everglades Expressway

    10.1 mi · 12 min · Port Everglades Expressway

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    112.3 mi · 2 hr

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward CR 876: Cape Coral

    1765 ft · 43 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on CR 876 West: Lee County Sports Complex, Florida SouthWestern State College, Cape Coral

    160 m · 17 sec

  13. 13

    Turn left onto CR 876 West

    35 m · 5 sec

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Daniels Parkway

    4.8 mi · 8 min · Daniels Parkway

  15. 15

    Turn right onto South Cleveland Avenue

    1.1 km · 1 min · South Cleveland Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn left onto College Parkway

    3.2 mi · 6 min · College Parkway

  17. 17

    Continue on Cape Coral Bridge Road

    1.1 km · 1 min · Cape Coral Bridge Road

  18. 18

    Continue on Cape Coral Parkway East

    1 mi · 2 min · Cape Coral Parkway East

  19. 19

    Turn right

    61 m · 15 sec

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Lauderdale-by-the-Sea and Cape Coral.

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
20 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
4 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Port Everglades Expressway
124 mi · 84%
Daniels Parkway
4.82 mi · 3%
95 Express
3.99 mi · 3%
I 95 South
3.36 mi · 2%
College Parkway
3.21 mi · 2%
Commercial Boulevard
3.18 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Port Everglades Expressway

Merge slight left

112 mi · 02h 00m

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 21m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 44m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+29.1 mi
117.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Immokalee
01h 10m from Lauderdale-by-the-Sea
Leave By
1:46 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Lauderdale-by-the-Sea and Mostly Sunny near Cape Coral.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Lauderdale-by-the-Sea to Cape Coral?

The road trip is about 146.6 miles (236 km) and usually takes 02h 21m 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?

Immokalee is a useful midpoint, sitting about 73.3 miles from Lauderdale-by-the-Sea and 73.4 miles from Cape Coral.

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

The direct path is about 117.5 miles (189.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.1 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:46 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.49 one way or $42.97 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Lauderdale-by-the-Sea and Mostly Sunny near Cape Coral.

Stop Ideas Near Immokalee

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

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

BUS

Fort Myers, Florida

55 mi away
6050 Plaza Drive
BUS

Port Charlotte, Florida

91 mi away
909 King Highway
RAIL

Okeechobee

109 mi away
801 North Parrott Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lauderdale-by-the-Sea and Cape Coral. Straight-line distance: 117.53 mi (189.15 km).

Lauderdale-by-the-Sea

#1 Lauderdale-by-the-Sea

Town of the United States

Population6,711
Coordinates26.1920300, -80.0964300
Altitude3
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: Ocean Drive (-80.096421, 26.192029)
End: (-81.94953, 26.562855)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 236 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 53m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 39m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 55m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 26m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 05m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 49m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.18 gal
19.59 L · about $21.49
Round trip
$42.97
10.36 gal · 39.18 L
Estimated CO2
46 kg one way
Round trip: 92.1 kg / 203 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.15 $21.49 $42.97
Mid-grade $4.60 $23.81 $47.61
Premium $4.90 $25.36 $50.72
Diesel $4.35 $22.53 $45.07

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 · Apr 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Lauderdale-by-the-Sea and Cape Coral. The current time is 05:48:31.

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.