The Fort Myers Sanibel area is a natural for boating enthusiasts, with protected waterways, miles of navigable channels and numerous full-service marinas.
Seafarers visiting Lee County will find boating is one of the best ways to explore this destination, which has several large islands and miles of navigable channels.
More than 20 marinas offer services ranging from fuel and repairs to overnight dockage, and many rent boats, both for day sailors and those interested in longer excursions on the water. View marina listings.
For information on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, including boating guides to area waterways, call the West Coast Inland Navigation District at 941-485-9402.
Traveling from the Keys? Key West Express offers service from Key West to the Fort Myers Beach area.
Fort Myers Sanibel Car Trips
Getting to and around the Fort Myers Sanibel area by car is easy, with good interstate access and easy-to-navigate local roads.
Lee County lies on the southwest coast of Florida and is easily reached via major interstate highways.
Interstate Travel
Interstate 10 runs east-west from California to Jacksonville, FL, and Interstate 95 extends from the northeastern U.S. to south Florida. Travelers using I-95 can take Interstate 4 west to connect with southbound Interstate 75. North-south I-75 connects directly to I-10 and is the major highway that traverses Lee County, the home of The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel. I-75 begins in south Florida and ends in the Midwestern U.S.
In-Town Driving
In addition to Interstate 75, major roads that convey motorists in Lee County include U.S. 41, which runs north-south and parallel to the interstate; McGregor Boulevard, which extends from downtown Fort Myers and links with roads leading to Sanibel and Captiva islands and Fort Myers Beach; and State Road 78, which connects the mainland with Pine Island, crossing Cape Coral as it extends south and west.
Tolls
Cape Coral Parkway and Midpoint Memorial bridges have a $1 fee going both ways. The bridge that takes U.S. 41 across the Caloosahatchee River is free. The Sanibel Causeway toll is $6, and is charged only for going to Sanibel Island.
Driving Times and Distances
Distances to Lee County from Cities in Florida
City Miles/Kilometers Drive Time
Daytona Beach 251 miles/403.9 km 4.25 hours
Jacksonville 335 miles/539.1 km 5.25 hours
Miami 158 miles/254.3 km 2.5 hours
Orlando 196 miles/315.4 km 3.5 hours
Tampa 126 miles/202.8 km 2.5 hours
Distances to Lee County from Cities outside Florida
City Miles/Kilometers Drive Time
Boston 1,478 miles/2,379 km 23.5 hours
Chicago 1,290 miles/2,076 km 20 hours
Cincinnati 1,043 miles/1,679 km 16 hours
Cleveland 1,215 miles/1,955 km 18.75 hours
Detroit 1,298 miles/2,089 km 20 hours
Indianapolis 1,109 miles/1,785 km 17 hours
Milwaukee 1,389 miles/2,235 km 21.75 hours
Minneapolis/St. Paul 1,704 miles/2,742 km 26.25 hours
New York 1,264 miles/2,034 km 19.75 hours
Philadelphia 1,174 miles/1,889 km 18.5 hours
St. Louis 1,129 miles/1,817 km 17.25 hours
Washington, D.C. 1,029 miles/1,656 km 15.75 hours
Public Transportation
Airport Service
LeeTran Bus Route 50 connects the Southwest Florida International Airport to Bell Tower Shops and Tanger Outlet Mall, with transfers to other routes. At Summerlin Square, connect to the Beach Trolley (see below).
Bus fare is $1.25, $.60 for seniors 65 and older.
Beach Trolley
The Beach Trolley runs the length of Fort Myers Beach from Bowditch Point Regional Park in the north past Times Square to Lovers Key State Park in the south.
Summerlin Square Park and Ride
This shuttle runs between Summerlin Square (Summerlin Road and San Carlos Boulevard) on the mainland and Bowditch Point Regional Park at the north end of Fort Myers Beach.
Bonita Springs Trolley
The Bonita Springs Trolley runs from Lovers Key State Park south to Bonita Beach Park and east to the Bonita Springs Kmart at Bonita Beach Road and Tamiami Trail South (U.S. 41).
Trolley and Park and Ride fare is 50 cents, 25 cents for seniors 65 and older.
More Information
Visit www.rideleetran.com or call 239-533-8726 (LEE-TRAN) for schedules, route maps and other information.
To see maps of the area, visit Maps