With three separate segments between the Gulf Coast and the northern tip of Lake Okeechobee, Florida State Road 78 travels just over 72 miles through Lee, Glades and Okeechobee counties. Its westernmost branch stretches 18.9 miles from Lee County Road 765 (Burnt Store Road) and Lee County 884 (Veterans Parkway) in western Cape Coral to North Fort Myers and SR 31 just north of the Caloosahatchee River. The middle leg of SR 78 originates in Glades County at an intersection with SR 29 north of La Belle and runs east 14.8 miles to Ortona and U.S. 27. The eastern section of SR 78 stems north from U.S. 27 just west of Moore Haven and follows the western shores of the Herbert Hoover Dike and Lake Okeechobee 34.2 miles to U.S. 98/441 just south of the Okeechobee town limits.
Two former segments of State Road 78 are county maintained routes within Lee and Hendry Counties. The coastal leg of CR 78 extends west from the end of SR 78 in Cape Coral 5.5 miles to Matlacha and Pine Island. The eastern branch of CR 78 travels from SR 31 toward Alva and east into Hendry County. Paralleling the Caloosahatchee River, Hendry County Road 78 continues eastward toward La Belle and SR 29.
Florida State Road 78 Guides
- CR 78 / SR 78 East - Lee County
- SR 78 East - Glades / Okeechobee Counties
- SR 78 / CR 78 West - Lee County
When hurricane Ian came ashore along the west Lee County coast on September 28, 2022, the resulting storm surge completely washed out a section of CR 78 (Pine Island Road) just east of the Matlacha Pass bridge. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) fast tracked repairs, building a temporary road for access to Matlacha and Pine Island in the span of three days. Started on October 3, 2022, the temporary road opened to first responders by that Wednesday afternoon (October 5, 2022).
Connect with:
Interstate 75
U.S. 27
U.S. 41
State Road 31
State Road 884 / Lee County Road 884
County Road 765 - Burnt Store Road
County Road 767 - Stringfellow Road
Page Updated 10-09-2022.