How far is Merritt Island, FL from Cape Coral, FL?
Fastest route
The distance between Merritt Island, Florida and Cape Coral, Florida is approximately 216 miles (348 kilometers). The suggested route is via I-95 S, which takes about 4 hours and 4 minutes. This route includes tolls.
Directions
- Start your journey on Merritt Island, Florida.
- Head northeast on Harbor Oaks Pl toward Mona Ct.
- Turn left onto Newfound Harbor Dr.
- Turn left onto E Merritt Island Causeway.
- Continue straight to stay on E Merritt Island Causeway.
- Continue onto FL-520 W/E Merritt Island Causeway.
- Use the left 2 lanes to turn left onto FL-519 S/S Fiske Blvd.
- Turn left to merge onto I-95 S.
- Follow I-95 S and FL-70 W to FL-78 W in Okeechobee County.
- Take exit 126 for County Rd 712/Midway Rd.
- Keep right at the fork, follow signs for Fairgrounds and merge onto W Midway Rd.
- Continue straight to stay on FL-70 W.
- Turn left onto SE 3rd Ave.
- Turn right onto SE 3rd St.
- Turn left at the 2nd cross street onto US-441 S/US-98 S/S Parrott Ave.
- Continue to follow US-441 S/US-98 S.
- Turn right onto US Hwy 27 N.
- Continue to Lee County.
- Turn left onto FL-29 S/FL-78 W.
- Continue to follow FL-29 S.
- Turn right onto FL-80 W/W Hickpochee Ave.
- Follow I-75 S and Daniels Pkwy to College Pkwy in Villas.
- Take exit 131 toward Cape Coral/S W Florida International Airport.
- Use the right 2 lanes to turn right onto Daniels Pkwy.
- Turn right onto S Cleveland Ave/S Tamiami Trail.
- Continue on College Pkwy to your destination in Cape Coral.
- Use the left 2 lanes to turn left onto College Pkwy.
- Keep left to stay on College Pkwy (toll road).
- Continue straight onto Cape Coral Bridge (toll road).
- Continue onto Cape Coral Pkwy E.
Tips & Suggestions
- 🚗 Consider taking breaks during the long journey to avoid fatigue and stay refreshed.
- ⛽️ Make sure to have enough fuel for the trip and plan gas station stops along the way.
- 🍴 Pack some snacks or plan to stop at restaurants for meals during the trip.
- 📱 Use a navigation app or GPS device to help you stay on track and find alternative routes if needed.
- 🛣️ Be aware of tolls along the route and ensure you have the necessary cash or electronic payment options.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 03h 58m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
County seat of Polk County, Florida
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Partly Sunny then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Merritt Island and Cape Coral.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Merritt Island and Cape Coral.
-
1
Start on Roberts Road
1.1 km · 4 min · Roberts Road
-
2
Turn right onto Kennedy Parkway North
1.6 km · 1 min · Kennedy Parkway North
-
3
Turn slight right
1128 ft · 49 sec
-
4
Turn straight onto NASA Parkway
5 mi · 7 min · NASA Parkway
-
5
Continue on NASA Causeway
2.5 mi · 4 min · NASA Causeway
-
6
Continue on Columbia Boulevard
1.7 mi · 3 min · Columbia Boulevard
-
7
Turn left onto Challenger Memorial Parkway
5.9 mi · 8 min · Challenger Memorial Parkway
-
8
Take the ramp straight toward FL 528 Toll West
1.4 km · 1 min · Challenger Memorial Parkway
-
9
Merge slight left onto Beachline Expressway
20.7 mi · 22 min · Beachline Expressway
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward FL 417: Orlando, Tampa, Disney World, Sanford
1160 ft · 28 sec
-
11
Keep slight left to continue on FL 417 Toll South: Tampa, Disney World
1.3 mi · 3 min
-
12
Merge slight left onto Central Florida GreeneWay
18.3 mi · 20 min · Central Florida GreeneWay
-
13
Keep slight left to continue on Southern Connector Extension
8.2 mi · 10 min · Southern Connector Extension
-
14
Merge slight left
12.5 mi · 14 min
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward CR 557: Lake Alfred, Winter Haven
2628 ft · 1 min
-
16
Turn slight left
6.4 mi · 10 min
-
17
Turn right onto Shinn Boulevard
1 km · 1 min · Shinn Boulevard
-
18
Continue on Lake Shore Way
1 km · 1 min · Lake Shore Way
-
19
Turn straight
3.7 mi · 7 min
-
20
Continue on 6th Street Southwest
2.2 mi · 4 min · 6th Street Southwest
-
21
Continue straight
38.6 mi · 56 min
-
22
Continue straight
1.1 mi · 1 min
-
23
Continue straight
2.5 mi · 3 min
-
24
Continue straight
38.8 mi · 53 min
-
25
Turn left onto I 75 South: Naples
2330 ft · 59 sec
-
26
Merge slight left
5.8 mi · 6 min
-
27
Take the exit slight right toward CR 762: North Fort Myers, Cape Coral
1532 ft · 37 sec
-
28
Keep slight right to continue on CR 762 West, to US 41
859 ft · 21 sec
-
29
Turn straight onto Tuckers Grade
1.4 km · 2 min · Tuckers Grade
-
30
Turn left onto Tamiami Trail
10.4 mi · 13 min · Tamiami Trail
-
31
Turn right onto Del Prado Boulevard North
6.5 mi · 11 min · Del Prado Boulevard North
-
32
Continue on Del Prado Boulevard South
6.2 mi · 13 min · Del Prado Boulevard South
-
33
Turn right onto Cape Coral Parkway East
1669 ft · 41 sec · Cape Coral Parkway East
-
34
Turn right
61 m · 15 sec
-
35
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Merritt Island and Cape Coral.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
6th Street Southwest
Continue straight
38.8 mi · 00h 53m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Cloudy leaving Merritt Island and Partly Sunny then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms near Cape Coral.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Merritt Island to Cape Coral?
The road trip is about 211.8 miles (340.8 km) and usually takes 03h 58m 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?
Bartow is a useful midpoint, sitting about 102.8 miles from Merritt Island and 109.1 miles from Cape Coral.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 157.4 miles (253.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 54.4 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 9:02 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.99 one way or $61.97 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 66.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Merritt Island and Partly Sunny then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms near Cape Coral.
Stop Ideas Near Bartow
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Bartow.
Winter Haven
Lakeland
Lakeland
Sebring
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Merritt Island and Cape Coral. Straight-line distance: 157.38 mi (253.28 km).
#1 Merritt Island
Census designated place in Brevard County, Florida, United States
| Population | 34,743 |
| Coordinates | 28.5391700, -80.6720000 |
| Altitude | 1 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Cape Coral
The second most populous city in Lee County, Florida.
| Population | 200,972 |
| Coordinates | 26.5628500, -81.9495300 |
| Altitude | 1 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-81.94953, 26.562855)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 341 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 03m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 17m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 31m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 01m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 38m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $30.99 | $61.97 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $34.33 | $68.66 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $36.57 | $73.15 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $32.49 | $64.99 |
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 · Jun 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.