Driving to Cape Coral

[chriswol]

Hi, we are going to spend our second week in Cape Coral in a villa. First time travelling outside of Orlando! We are staying in Kissimmee on our fist week. My question is, what is the best road to travel across to Cape Coral? I do not want to go on the freeway but would like to see a bit more of Florida on our drive. Is there any places to stop and visit on our way that you would recommend? Also will it be easy to find somewhere to stop for lunch? Thanks

[Pussycat Doll]

Must admit when we go that way we always go I4 then I75, we do stop at the outlets at Ellenton usually. St Armands Circle in Sarasota is a lovely little detour off the free way.

[Ninnybobs]

Originally Posted by Pussycat Doll

Must admit when we go that way we always go I4 then I75, we do stop at the outlets at Ellenton usually. St Armands Circle in Sarasota is a lovely little detour off the free way.

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Agreed... this is the way that we travel from Orlando to Cape Coral with a break at Ellenton Outlets.

[ChrisS]

Originally Posted by chriswol

Hi, we are going to spend our second week in Cape Coral in a villa. First time travelling outside of Orlando! We are staying in Kissimmee on our fist week. My question is, what is the best road to travel across to Cape Coral? I do not want to go on the freeway but would like to see a bit more of Florida on our drive. Is there any places to stop and visit on our way that you would recommend? Also will it be easy to find somewhere to stop for lunch? Thanks

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Hi Chris - we oft drive from/to MCO to Pine Island, just west of Cape Coral, been coming to SW Fl for 20+ years and have never yet used the I-4/I-75. We opt for the 'spine road', the 17, vs motorway craziness, it saves circa 40 miles and is a more relaxed drive, passing orange groves, farms and quieter areas. The only busy segment is Winter Haven but you're thro that quite quickly. I've knocked out a map from Orlando (27) to Matlacha purely as an example, HERE. If you opt for the 17 I'll gladly give 'pointers' for the drive down, there's only one left turn to be aware of (Lake Alfred) to remain on the 17S, then it's straight all the way, thro Arcadia, onto the I-75 (signed Naples) for one junction, onto Burnt Store Rd to CC. Plenty of places to stop and eat, depending on your Orlando location the drive down is circa 3.5 hours.

[greekgranny]

That looks a brilliant route, will save it for next time.

[chriswol]

Thanks for the replies, Chris S thanks for the map. I will definitely use the 17 road. It would be lovely to see Orange groves and quieter areas off the beaten track. Would love to know of any nice places to stop on our way down.

[ChrisS]

Originally Posted by greekgranny

That looks a brilliant route, will save it for next time.

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Hi Granny, I re-checked the map and altered a deviation, should now be the route we take (below) We like it, 40 mile less, considerably less traffic and, in general, mainly dual carriageway.

Originally Posted by chriswol

Thanks for the replies, Chris S thanks for the map. I will definitely use the 17 road. It would be lovely to see Orange groves and quieter areas off the beaten track. Would love to know of any nice places to stop on our way down.

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HERE is our [undeviating] route

[floridasgirl]

We went up to Orlando a few yrs ago from Cape Coral. We used the 17 and it was a lovely peaceful drive. You def see a different side to Florida! We call it cowboy country!

[ChrisS]

Another heads up, if you take the 17 route thro Haines City, after you turn right for 17 South and go under the bridge, you'll see a sign to turn left for the SR17, DO NOT TAKE THAT LEFT TURN, you are already on the 17 you need to head south. Briefly, for some reason known only to the road planners, there are two 17's. Basically with the exception of a left turn to remain on S17 as you leave Lake Alfred it's a straight run all the way.

[CRISSY61]

That’s a great route recommendation. We will be travelling down from Orlando to Cape Coral- I think the satnav route takes us down the I4. Do you end up hitting a lot of traffic lights on the 17? Hate all the stop & start of junctions

Originally Posted by ChrisS

Hi Chris - we oft drive from/to MCO to Pine Island, just west of Cape Coral, been coming to SW Fl for 20+ years and have never yet used the I-4/I-75. We opt for the 'spine road', the 17, vs motorway craziness, it saves circa 40 miles and is a more relaxed drive, passing orange groves, farms and quieter areas. The only busy segment is Winter Haven but you're thro that quite quickly. I've knocked out a map from Orlando (27) to Matlacha purely as an example, HERE. If you opt for the 17 I'll gladly give 'pointers' for the drive down, there's only one left turn to be aware of (Lake Alfred) to remain on the 17S, then it's straight all the way, thro Arcadia, onto the I-75 (signed Naples) for one junction, onto Burnt Store Rd to CC. Plenty of places to stop and eat, depending on your Orlando location the drive down is circa 3.5 hours.

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