Q: Coolant temperatures seem too high but my coolant levels are fine

I just replaced my radiator. Hit a bucket and cracked a small hole in it. The new one is in and I've been watching my coolant temp like a hawk. After 15 minutes of driving my temperature will spike to 212. Doesn't seem normal for it to get that hot but I never paid attention to the gauge before the accident so I dont know what's normal for my car. Nothing else was damaged apart from the radiator and the fan works fine. I did have to recharge my a/c, but it lost its charge after a few days. Checked all attachments, nothing is loose. On a hot hot day last week it hit 227 waiting at a red light. I haven't driven longer than 30 minutes since putting in the new radiator and have a two hour drive coming up this weekend. And I check my coolant level every morning. Haven't had to fill it at all. What's making it run so hot?

My car has 110000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.