SOUTHWEST FLORIDA DAY TRIPS
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Southwest Florida day trips and one tank trips are generally off the beaten path.
I-75 is the 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 backroads are even four-laned.
Here are a few Southwest Florida day trips that I recommend:
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.
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.
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.
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. Visit the
Eden Winery.
About 21 miles.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Here is an interactive Google map to help you plan your trips.
View Larger Map
THINGS TO DO IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
Southwest Florida Art Festivals
Southwest Florida Heritage Sites
Southwest Florida Tourist Attractions
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