When it comes to Southwest Florida traffic, a straight line isn't always the shortest distance between two points. Or at least it's not the line you want to be stuck in, watching the asphalt shimmer on U.S. 41 while you wait your turn at a crowded intersection. Drivers in the know enjoy some of these roads less traveled.

1. The scenic route: North Naples to Old Naples: Pelican Bay Boulevard and Crayton Road to Gulf Shore Boulevard South. Crayton's famous tree canopy took a hit during Hurricane Wilma, but a 30-mile-an-hour drive down these stately streets is still almost a form of meditation. But don't get so chill that you miss the roving packs of Spandexed Pelican Bay bicyclists.

2. Island time: South Fort Myers to north Naples: through Fort Myers Beach to Bonita Beach Road and Vanderbilt Drive. If you get on the beach before 8 a.m., you'll touch your brakes only for the stray cross-walking pedestrian. Beach access points are mostly deserted at this hour; just don't ask us to explain to your boss how you got that sand in your shoes.

3. Business end: From Estero to Bonita: use west Coconut Road to Old 41 Road. An unmarked access road winds behind commercial frontage and Spring Creek Village before giving you a straight shot at Old 41 from the light at Pelican's Nest. Watch the community's gates for Cadillacs full of retirees bent on the $3.99 breakfast special at Mel's.

4. Points of pride: Estero to central Fort Myers: Ben Hill Griffin Parkway and Treeline Avenue to S.R. 80. Spare an admiring nod for FGCU's growing campus and our spiffed-up international airport when you travel two of our newest roadways. Treeline's long-promised connection to booming Lehigh Acres (that's L.A. to you and me) is finally a reality.

5. Full throttle: From east Naples to Bonita: Livingston Road north from Radio Road to Bonita Beach Road. Maybe drivers think this major new north-south corridor is too good to be true. Why else would they play Speed Racer on tight Collier thoroughfares, but poke along under the speed limit on this wide-open stretch of asphalt?

6. Beam me up: Within Naples: Castello Drive to Pompei Lane, south of Pine Ridge Road, north of Airport-Pulling Road. When Pine Ridge and U.S. 41 are bumper-to-bumper, you don't need one of Star Trek's particle accelerators to get there from here. You only need to know about the network of roads (and alleys) that grants you back entry to businesses on the east side of U.S. 41 and easy access to Goodlette-Frank Road. Tread courteously in residential neighborhoods-and mind the

speed bumps.

7. Slice of life: Northern Cape Coral to North Fort Myers: Littleton Road from Kismet Parkway and 24th Avenue. Accident-filled Pine Island Road isn't your only shot to U.S. 41 and I-75 if you're in the north Cape. Find a kindler, gentler Southwest Florida-and dodge the occasional escaped farm animal-on this picturesque two-lane blacktop.