Fort Myers to Sarasota drive: Distance, time & best stops
The best road trip stops on the Fort Myers to Sarasota drive are Punta Gorda, Venice FL and Siesta Key. The distance from Fort Myers to Sarasota by car is 77 miles, with a 1h24m driving time.
Planning a Fort Myers to Sarasota road trip itinerary
The Fort Myers to Sarasota drive connects two key destinations on the west coast of Florida.
There’s a massive collection of Fort Myers experiences to choose from. Top picks include paddleboarding with dolphins and manatees, sunset sailing cruises and haunted history walks.
For a night out the buzzy bars and restaurants of the River District are full of energy, while the Georgian Revival-style Burroughs Home and Gardens does the grand mansion thing.
The cultural highlights, however, are the Winter Estates of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. Along with lavish gardens, these mansions are full of stories about legendary inventors going on wild adventures.
Great Fort Myers hotel options include the brilliantly-located Luminary Hotel and Margaritaville Beach Resort.
Sarasota is home to the Ringling Museum of Art – arguably the top art museum in Florida, with a good mix of modern and old masters. The estate is also home to a Circus Museum.
More Sarasota attractions, including the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, are linked together on the City Sightseeing trolley tour.
Other potential Sarasota experiences include a downtown food tour, jet ski adventures and kayaking through the mangrove tunnels.
Top Sarasota accommodation options with a pool include the Carlisle Inn and the Lido Beach Resort.
Fort Myers to Sarasota distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Fort Myers to Sarasota is 77 miles. That makes for a driving time of around one hour and 24 minutes. The quickest route is up the I-75.
The best stops to add to a Fort Myers to Sarasota road trip itinerary are Punta Gorda, Venice FL and Siesta Key.
For more suggestions, read the guides to the Fort Myers to Punta Gorda drive and Punta Gorda to Sarasota drive.
Fort Myers to Sarasota road trip attractions: Punta Gorda
Punta Gorda lies on the Peace River. Art meets nature at the Punta Gorda Botanical and Sculpture Gardens, while the Peace River Wildlife Center lets visitors meet rescued animals undergoing rehabilitation. In the west of the city, Ponce De Leon Park is a massive green space on Charlotte Harbor. The boardwalk through the wetlands comes with educational signs.
Arguably the best thing to do in Punta Gorda, however, is the night sky stargazing experience.
Marvellous Punta Gorda accommodation picks include the Suites at Fishermen’s Village and the stylish Wyvern Hotel.
Best stops between Fort Myers and Sarasota: Venice FL
Venice FL is largely seen as a beach town, but it also has a fabulous network of canals. The best way to explore them is on a two hour guided kayaking tour.
Otherwise, there’s 14 miles of beaches to choose from, with Venice Beach the most popular. There’s a reef a quarter mile offshore, which is popular with divers.
You can also enjoy a wander around the heritage buildings downtown, many of which mimic Venice’s Italian counterpart city.
Top Venice accommodation options include the Inn at the Beach and the more budget-friendly Best Western Plus Ambassador Suites.
Fort Myers to Sarasota drive: Siesta Key
Siesta Key is a barrier island, renowned for having some of the most spectacular beaches in Florida. There are plenty of restaurants and shops here, but a visit is likely to be all about the white sand and turquoise waters.
Great Siesta Key activities include sunset e-bike tours, kayak tours and having a go on an e-foil.
If planning to stay, book Siesta Key accommodation well in advance – the whole island can often be sold out.
More Fort Myers road trips
Bonita Springs to Fort Myers | Fort Myers to Bradenton | Fort Lauderdale to Fort Myers | Miami to Fort Myers | Naples to Fort Myers | Orlando to Fort Myers | Port Charlotte to Fort Myers | Fort Myers to Punta Gorda.
More Sarasota road trips
Sarasota to Miami | Orlando to Sarasota | Port Charlotte to Sarasota | Punta Gorda to Sarasota | Tallahassee to Sarasota | Tampa to Sarasota.