You’re probably checking directions to RSW airport because you’ve got a flight out of Southwest Florida International and you’ve heard the horror stories about Treeline Avenue during season. It’s a weird airport. Honestly, RSW—which stands for "Regional South West" even though everyone just calls it Fort Myers—is tucked away in a spot that feels like the middle of nowhere until you realize everyone else in Lee and Collier County is trying to get there at the exact same time as you.
Don't just trust your GPS blindly.
If you are coming from Naples, you’re looking at a straight shot up I-75, but the Alico Road exit is a notorious bottleneck. If you're coming from Cape Coral, you have to deal with the bridges, which is a gamble every single day. The airport sits roughly 15 miles southeast of downtown Fort Myers. It's accessible, sure, but the layout of the terminal access road is a massive loop that catches people off guard. One wrong turn and you're back on the interstate heading toward Tampa.
The Interstate 75 Route: The Most Common Path
Most people use I-75. It’s the spine of Southwest Florida. If you’re heading north from Bonita Springs or Naples, you’ll want to take Exit 128 (Alico Road). Now, here is where it gets tricky. After exiting, you’ll head east. You’ll see a lot of industrial parks and rock hauler trucks. Stay in the lane that leads you toward Terminal Access Road. This is the "back way" that many locals prefer because it bypasses the heavy congestion near the Gulf Coast Main Street shopping center.
Coming from the north—say, Sarasota or Charlotte County—you’ll still stay on I-75 South. You can take Exit 131 (Daniels Parkway). From Daniels, you’ll turn left (east) and then make a quick right onto Treeline Avenue. Treeline is a beautiful road, but it is a trap. During the winter months (January through April), Treeline can back up for miles because of the Spring Training traffic from the nearby JetBlue Park. If the Red Sox are playing a home game, do not use Treeline. Seriously. Just don't do it.
Instead, keep going south on I-75 to the direct airport exit, Exit 128. It’s a bit further, but it’s often faster because it feeds directly into the airport’s infrastructure. The airport’s address is technically 11000 Terminal Access Rd, Fort Myers, FL 33913. Put that into your phone, but keep an eye on the overhead signs. Florida drivers are unpredictable, and the lane shifts near the airport are sudden.
Understanding the Terminal Loop
Once you get on Terminal Access Road, you are in a one-way ecosystem. You have three main choices. The first is "Arrivals." This is the lower level. It's usually a chaotic mess of Uber drivers and families waiting for luggage. The second is "Departures." This is the upper level. If you are dropping someone off, get in the left lanes early.
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The third option is parking. RSW has a massive Long-Term Parking lot. You actually have to pass the terminal to get to the entrance of the long-term lot if you are coming from the west. If you miss it, you’ll have to do the entire three-mile loop again. It’s frustrating. It’s also expensive if you accidentally end up in the Short-Term Parking garage, which is directly across from the terminal.
Short-term is great for a quick "hello" or "goodbye," but if you're leaving your car for a week, your wallet will feel it. The long-term lot has a shuttle service. These shuttles run constantly, but you should factor in an extra 20 minutes just for the shuttle ride and the walk to security.
Alternative Routes for Locals
If you’re coming from the east, like Lehigh Acres, you aren't going to use the interstate. You’ll likely take Homestead Road to 82, then cut across on Gunnery Road. Eventually, you’ll hit the back side of the airport via Treeline Avenue. This route is much quieter. You’ll pass the Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) area.
Wait.
Keep an eye out for the speed traps. The airport police and Lee County Sheriffs love the long, straight stretches of Ben Hill Griffin Parkway and Treeline. The limit drops quickly from 55 to 35 in some spots.
Why the "Direct" GPS Route Might Fail You
Google Maps loves to send people through Daniels Parkway because it’s the shortest distance. Distance does not equal time in Southwest Florida. Daniels Parkway is one of the most heavily trafficked roads in the state. Between the six-way intersections and the constant construction near the Whole Foods plaza, you can sit through four light cycles just to move a quarter mile.
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If you see deep red on your traffic map near Daniels, stay on I-75 until Exit 128. It looks like a detour. It feels like you're going too far south. Trust me, it’s a smoother transition into the airport.
A Word on Rideshares and Shuttles
Taking an Uber or Lyft to RSW is pretty straightforward, but the pickup process is specific. Drivers aren't allowed to just linger at the curb. They wait in a "cell phone lot" or a staging area. If you’re calling a ride, don't request it until you actually have your bags in hand.
For those driving themselves, the Cell Phone Lot at RSW is actually one of the better ones in Florida. It’s located just off Terminal Access Road. It’s free. It has a giant electronic board showing flight arrivals. Use it. Do not circle the terminal. The airport police will shoo you away after about 30 seconds of standing still at the curb.
Realities of RSW Security and Timing
Since the terminal expansion projects began a few years ago, the walk from the garage to the gates has gotten longer. RSW is a "U-shaped" terminal. There are three concourses: B, C, and D.
- Concourse B: Mostly Southwest, Avelo, and some international.
- Concourse C: Delta and WestJet.
- Concourse D: American, United, JetBlue, Spirit.
They are not connected airside. This is the biggest mistake people make. If you go through security at Concourse C to eat at a specific restaurant but your flight is at Concourse D, you have to exit, go back to the main terminal, and clear security again. It’s a massive pain. Check your gate on the screens before you step into the TSA line.
TSA PreCheck at RSW is generally fast, but during "Season" (January–April), even the PreCheck line can be 30 minutes long. The airport serves over 10 million passengers a year now. It’s not the "small regional airport" it was in the 90s.
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Practical Tips for Your Trip
Check your tire pressure before leaving. The Florida heat is brutal on rubber, and the last thing you want is a flat on the I-75 shoulder when you're 10 minutes from your gate. Also, fuel up before you get on airport property. The gas stations right next to the airport (near the rental car return) often charge a premium—sometimes a dollar or more per gallon higher than the stations just two miles down the road on Alico.
If you're returning a rental car, follow the signs for "Rental Car Return" very carefully. It's located on the ground level of the parking garage across from the terminal. The entrance is a sharp left turn as you approach the terminal. If you miss it, again, you're doing that long loop.
- Naples/Marco Island: Take I-75 North to Exit 128. Follow signs for Terminal Access Road.
- Cape Coral: Take the Midpoint Bridge to Colonial Blvd, turn south on Six Mile Cypress (which becomes Ben Hill Griffin), and enter from the north.
- Sanibel/Captiva: Take Summerlin Rd to Gladiolus Dr, then hit Six Mile Cypress heading south.
- Lehigh Acres: Take SR-82 to Gunnery/Daniels, then south on Treeline.
Actionable Next Steps
Before you put the car in gear, open a live traffic app like Waze to check for accidents on the Caloosahatchee bridges or I-75. If I-75 is purple (meaning a dead stop), your best bet is to use US-41 (Tamiami Trail) and then cut over on Alico Road.
Double-check your terminal concourse on the FlyRSW website or your airline's app. Since B, C, and D aren't connected, knowing where to park—closer to the north or south end of the long-term lot—can save you a ten-minute walk in the humidity. Ensure you have your sunblock and water in your checked bag; the Florida sun hits hard the moment you step out of that air-conditioned terminal.
Once you arrive at the airport, follow the overhead color-coded signs: Green for baggage claim, Blue for departures. Stay in the right lane if you're heading to the cell phone lot or long-term parking, as the left lanes will force you toward the terminal curbside where you cannot park. If you have extra time, the upper level (Departures) has much better coffee options before you go through security.
Log into the airport Wi-Fi (RSW Free WiFi) once you're inside to keep an eye on gate changes, as RSW is notorious for last-minute gate swaps during stormy summer afternoons. Safe travels and enjoy the Florida sunshine before you head out.