SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
ROAD TRIPS AND SCENIC DRIVES

The Southwest Florida road trips and scenic drives recommended by our website will keep you off the busy roads. 

This area of Florida is quickly growing, and the north-south roads can get really jammed up, especially during tourist season of December - April.

Highway Map of Southwest Florida

I-75 is the north-south interstate in this region. It comes into Florida near Jasper and meanders down the center of the state until it starts veering west toward Tampa.

It goes all the way to Miami and stays pretty close to the west coast in this region.

The interstate exits are crowded with gas stations, fast food restaurants and motels. You can travel the state quickly and easily on this highway (except during rush hours), but not see much scenery or real towns.

The town signs you do see are usually a few miles from the downtown section. The fun begins when you get off the interstate and hook up with the less traveled roads.

There are many state and county highways off the interstate that offer better scenery and a look at real towns. In Florida, some back roads are even four-laned.

Here are a few Southwest Florida day trips that I recommend:

Southwest Florida Road Trips and Scenic Drives

Port Charlotte through Placida to Boca Grande

SR-771 from Port Charlotte to Boca Grande. Not much to see until you get to the Gulf. The clearness and blue green water will impress you, and you will enjoy the quaint Old Florida charm of Boca Grande and the beautiful white sand beaches. About 27 miles.

Gasparilla Island State Park, Boca Grande

Fort Myers to Iona on McGregor Boulevard

McGregor Boulevard from downtown Fort Myers south to Iona. Magnificent palms planted in the day of Thomas Edison. Fine old homes, including the Edison and Ford Estates. About 12 miles.

Edison Home, Seminole Lodge, Fort Myers

LaBelle to Immokalee on Florida State Road 29

SR-29 from LaBelle to Immokalee. See how much of Florida is still grove and farmland. See how much is away from civilization, and enjoy the largely Mexican farm worker town of Immokalee. About 25 miles.

LaBelle, Alva and Olga on the Caloosahatchee River

SR-78 from LaBelle west to SR-31. Meanders along the north side of the Caloosahatchee River, huge trees, rural areas. Stop in Alva,not named after Thomas Alva Edison but a flower that grew nearby. About 21 miles.

Cape Coral to Matlacha and Pine Island

SR-78 (Pine Island Road) from Cape Coral to Pine Island through Matlacha. Up and down Pine Island on Stringfellow to Bokeelia and St. James City. A different kind of place. Home of author Randy Wayne White. About 50 miles.

Vanderbilt Beach to Port Royal Through Old Naples

From Vanderbilt Beach Road in Naples south through Pelican Bay and Crayton Drive to the end of Gordon Drive in Port Royal. Then back to Third Street. The finest most expensive homes in Florida. About 12 miles.

Fifth Avenue Historic District in Old Naples

Fifth Avenue in Naples. A redeveloped downtown area with fine dining and shopping. Extends from the Gulf across Third Street South to US-41. This is the heart of Old Naples.

Naples to Chokoloskee through Everglades City

From Naples west on US-41 to State Road-29, then south to Everglades City and Chokoloskee . Lost in time, fishing village and low lands, airboats, mangroves and alligators. About 40 miles.

Naples to Miami on US-41 (Tamiami Trail)

US-41 from Naples to Miami through the Everglades. Wilderness, Indian villages, scenic overviews. This stretch of road is called the Tamiami Trail, which actually extends from Tampa to Miami. In Miami it becomes Southwest 8th Avenue, the famous Calle Ocho. The lonely Big Cypress Loop Road can be a sidetrip on this stretch. Don't do this if it's been raining raining hard for hours. Both Tamiami Trail and Big Cypress road are likely to be flooded. About 108 miles.

Naples to Fort Myers Beach Along the Gulf of Mexico

From downtown Naples go west to Gulfshore Blvd.  Go north on Gulfshore to Mooring Line Drive.  Go east to Crayton Rd.  Go north on Crayton to Seagate.  Right on Seagate to West Drive. North on West Drive to Pelican Bay Blvd.  Stay on Pelican Bay Blvd to N. Pointe Dr.  Left on North Pointe Drive to Vanderbilt Beach Road.  West on Vanderbilt Beach Road to Vanderbilt Drive.  North on Vanderbilt Drive to Bonita Beach Rd.  West on Bonita Beach Rd to the Gulf of Mexico when it becomes Hickory Blvd.  Stay on this road until you get to Fort Myers Beach.  You will see beautiful residential neighborhoods, beautiful beaches and will go by Lover's Key State Park.  This trip is about 31 miles.