What counties are considered Southwest Florida?

The core is Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties. Some regional organizations also include inland Glades and Hendry counties to the east, so the answer depends on who is drawing the map; for everyday purposes in the Fort Myers and Naples area, it means the three coastal counties.

How far is Fort Myers from Naples?

About 35 to 40 miles south on Interstate 75 or U.S. 41, typically a 45- to 60-minute drive depending on traffic. Bonita Springs and Estero sit in between.

How far is Southwest Florida from Miami?

Naples is roughly 100 to 125 miles west of Miami across Interstate 75 (Alligator Alley), usually about two hours by car. Fort Myers adds another 35 to 40 miles to the north.

What is the biggest city in Southwest Florida?

Cape Coral is the largest city in the region by population, with more than 400 miles of canals. Fort Myers is the Lee County seat and Naples is the Collier County seat.

Where does Southwest Florida start and end?

As commonly described, it runs along the Gulf coast from Charlotte Harbor in the north to the Everglades and Big Cypress areas in the south, with Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties in between.

Is Fort Myers the same as Southwest Florida?

No. Fort Myers is one city in Lee County. Southwest Florida is the wider region, and SWFL.now covers nine communities across its three coastal counties.

Where is Southwest Florida? Counties, cities and boundaries

Compiled by Joel Maldonado for SWFL.now from official sources · Last reviewed 9 November 2026

Southwest Florida is the Gulf Coast region of Florida between Tampa Bay and the Everglades. Its core is three counties: Lee (Fort Myers, Cape Coral), Collier (Naples) and Charlotte (Punta Gorda); some regional definitions also include inland Glades and Hendry counties. The main communities are Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples, Bonita Springs, Estero, Fort Myers Beach, Lehigh Acres, Sanibel and Punta Gorda.

Southwest Florida is a region people describe more than a place with legal borders. The consistent core is three coastal counties, and the practical area for residents and visitors is the Fort Myers, Cape Coral and Naples corridor plus the islands.

The three coastal counties

County	County seat	Main cities and communities
Lee	Fort Myers	Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, Estero, Fort Myers Beach, Lehigh Acres, Sanibel
Collier	Naples	Naples, plus Marco Island and Everglades City to the south
Charlotte	Punta Gorda	Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte

County seats and communities match the city guides on SWFL.now's cities page, whose city entries link each community's official government site. County government sites: Lee County, Collier County and Charlotte County.

Sometimes included: Glades and Hendry

Inland Glades County (Moore Haven) and Hendry County (LaBelle, Clewiston) are east of the coastal counties. Regional economic and workforce organizations sometimes fold them into "Southwest Florida," which is why the answer varies. This site covers the three coastal counties and their nine communities.

The nine communities SWFL.now covers

SWFL.now has a local guide for each: Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, Estero, Fort Myers Beach, Lehigh Acres, Sanibel, Naples and Punta Gorda. See the full cities hub.

Why it matters in practice

Evacuation and flood zones are county by county. Lee, Collier and Charlotte each run their own emergency management and flood tools, covered in evacuation zones and what flood zone am I in.
Distances drive planning. Fort Myers to Naples is the busiest corridor; Sanibel and Fort Myers Beach are across causeways and bridges; Lehigh Acres is inland and east.
"SWFL" usually means the same thing. Southwest Florida, SW Florida and SWFL are used interchangeably, and almost always include Fort Myers and Naples at minimum.

For the region's beaches, restaurants, churches and services, start at the SWFL.now home page.

Frequently asked questions

What counties are considered Southwest Florida?: The core is Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties. Some regional organizations also include inland Glades and Hendry counties to the east, so the answer depends on who is drawing the map; for everyday purposes in the Fort Myers and Naples area, it means the three coastal counties.
How far is Fort Myers from Naples?: About 35 to 40 miles south on Interstate 75 or U.S. 41, typically a 45- to 60-minute drive depending on traffic. Bonita Springs and Estero sit in between.
How far is Southwest Florida from Miami?: Naples is roughly 100 to 125 miles west of Miami across Interstate 75 (Alligator Alley), usually about two hours by car. Fort Myers adds another 35 to 40 miles to the north.
What is the biggest city in Southwest Florida?: Cape Coral is the largest city in the region by population, with more than 400 miles of canals. Fort Myers is the Lee County seat and Naples is the Collier County seat.
Where does Southwest Florida start and end?: As commonly described, it runs along the Gulf coast from Charlotte Harbor in the north to the Everglades and Big Cypress areas in the south, with Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties in between.
Is Fort Myers the same as Southwest Florida?: No. Fort Myers is one city in Lee County. Southwest Florida is the wider region, and SWFL.now covers nine communities across its three coastal counties.

About this guide. SWFL.now is a free local guide, not a government website. Storm and flood facts are checked against FEMA, the National Hurricane Center, the State of Florida and Lee, Collier and Charlotte county agencies, and each source is linked where it is used. Rules, maps and programs change, so confirm with the official source before you act. This is general information, not insurance, legal or engineering advice. SWFL.now is operated by Neural Command, LLC (NRLC.ai), alongside FloodProtection.now and Flood Barrier Pros; see About.