Question about the drive from West Palm Beach, Fla. to Ft. Myers, Fla.

[elm5]

Hi! I'm driving with my two children the first week of March from the West Palm Beach area to Ft. Myers, Florida. Can anyone offer me an opinion on which is the fastest, easiest route to take? Thanks!

[brad2971]

Hi! I'm driving with my two children the first week of March from the West Palm Beach area to Ft. Myers, Florida. Can anyone offer me an opinion on which is the fastest, easiest route to take? Thanks!

The best route is (essentially) the ONLY route: SR80. It's at least 4-lane expressway throughout the entire distance (except for a few miles between Labelle and US27). Alligator Alley (I-75) is at least 35 miles to the south.

[roadman65]

Have to agree with Brad, SR 80 is the way to go!  Its the most direct and most is 65 mph in rural areas, and you have many places along the way to stop as you have Clewiston, La Belle, and once you get into Fort Myers itself its pretty much a good stretch to catch a bite if you are hungry upon arrival.

[formulanone]

The bit between US 27 and SR 29 is the only two-lane section. Watch your speeds along the US 98 / Southern Boulevard alignment (Palm Beach Sheriffs will ticket anything 5+ mph over), even though it's a bit of a dull drive. La Belle is a nice place to stretch out and slow down.

I wouldn't recommend travelling with kids on most of the old alignments of US 27 that sort-of parallel SR 80. Mostly dead ends, little to no run off, rough roads. Go by yourself, if you're adventurous.

CR 78 (between SR 29 and SR 31) is a change of pace, if you aren't in a hurry. Much more fun and visually interesting than the SR 80 stretch on the south side of the Caloosahatchee River, and very well-maintained.

[elm5]

Thanks everyone!! SR 80 it is!