The Best Ways to Travel Between Cape Coral and Fort Myers Beach

Are you planning a trip from Cape Coral to Fort Myers Beach? Here are a few different ways to get there, along with the distance and estimated travel time for each option.

Route 1: Via Cape Coral Parkway

The most direct route from Cape Coral to Fort Myers Beach is via Cape Coral Parkway. The distance is approximately 15 miles and the drive time is usually around 25-30 minutes, depending on traffic.

If you're looking to make the drive a little more interesting along the way, consider stopping at the Rotary Park Environmental Center. This park offers a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities, including hiking trails and wildlife viewing areas.

Route 2: Via Veterans Memorial Parkway and Summerlin Road

Another option for getting to Fort Myers Beach is to take Veterans Memorial Parkway and Summerlin Road. This route is a little longer at around 17 miles, but the drive time is similar to the first option at 30-35 minutes.

If you're a fan of outdoor activities, stop at Lakes Regional Park along the way. This large park has a variety of amenities, including hiking trails, a playground, and a lake for boating and fishing.

Route 3: Via I-75 and San Carlos Boulevard

For a quicker option that avoids some of the stop-and-go traffic, consider taking I-75 and San Carlos Boulevard. The distance is around 22 miles, but the drive time is typically 25-30 minutes.

If you have some extra time along this route, stop at the Koreshan State Park. This historic site offers hiking trails, canoe rentals, and a museum about the Koreshan Unity, a religious group that settled in the area in the late 1800s.

Route 4: Via Pine Island Road and San Carlos Boulevard

A scenic option for getting to Fort Myers Beach is to take Pine Island Road and San Carlos Boulevard. This route is about 30 miles, but the drive time is usually under 40 minutes.

Along this route, make a stop at the Matlacha Pass Aquatic Preserve for some wildlife spotting and scenic views of the waterways. You could also visit the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge on nearby Sanibel Island for more outdoor adventures.

No matter which route you choose, there's plenty to do and see along the way from Cape Coral to Fort Myers Beach. Happy travels!