Day trips from Fort Myers
Day Trip from Fort Myers to Naples
Photo by Massimo Catarinella via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 3.0
Drive time
40–55 minutes
Distance
40 mi
Typical cost
$30–$60 per person (parking, entries)
Best season
November–April
Best for: Upscale dining, shopping, and a polished beach town
How to get there
Take I-75 south to exit 107 (Pine Ridge Road) for the north end or exit 105 (Golden Gate Parkway) for downtown. US-41 (Tamiami Trail) is the slower scenic alternative and adds roughly 20 minutes.
Hour-by-hour itinerary
- 9:00amNaples Pier & BeachMetered lots fill by 10am in season — arrive early. The pier is free and open to the public.
- 11:30amThird Street SouthGalleries, courtyards, and the original Naples shopping district.
- 12:30pmLunch on Fifth Avenue SouthThe main dining strip; sidewalk tables and a dozen strong options.
- 2:30pmNaples Botanical Garden170 acres of themed gardens; allow 90 minutes minimum.
- 5:00pmSunset back at the pierOr head north to Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park for a quieter finish.
Highlights
- Naples Pier
- Fifth Avenue South
- Naples Botanical Garden
- Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park
- Third Street South
Tips from our editors
- Naples beach parking is metered and strictly enforced — use the ParkMobile app
- Fifth Avenue restaurants need reservations in season, even at lunch
- Delnor-Wiggins Pass charges per-vehicle entry but is far less crowded than the pier
Book a guided Naples tour
Prefer not to drive? Compare guided day tours departing the Fort Myers area.
Browse Naples ToursOther day trips from Fort Myers
Frequently asked questions
How far is Naples from Fort Myers?
Naples is about 40 miles south of Fort Myers, a 40–55 minute drive on I-75 depending on season and time of day.
Is Naples worth a day trip from Fort Myers?
Yes, particularly if you want upscale dining, shopping, and gallery browsing that Fort Myers does not offer at the same scale. If you are primarily after beaches, Sanibel and Captiva are closer and better.