Origin
Alafaya, FL
Morning in Alafaya on Tuesday
Local time
11:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Alafaya, FL to Gainesville, FL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 22m
Distance
123.5 mi
199 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 13m
★
6 AM
2h 22m
8 AM
2h 42m
10 AM
2h 29m
12 PM
2h 27m
3 PM
2h 30m
5 PM
2h 41m
8 PM
2h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Alafaya, FL
Arian Fernandez
Trip Overview
Alafaya to Gainesville is 123.5 miles and takes about 2h 22m via Florida's Turnpike and I 75, with a fuel budget near $20 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, primarily utilizing major expressways for a direct journey. Expect a straightforward drive focused on covering ground efficiently, making it ideal for a quick hop between these two locations. Given the relatively short duration, it's well-suited for a same-day trip, allowing you to maximize your time at your destination.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
61.8 miles from Alafaya, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 10m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 46.1 mi | 49m |
| Florida's Turnpike | 42.6 mi | 45m |
| East-West Expressway | 19 mi | 22m |
| US 441 | 8 mi | 9m |
| South Main Street | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| Southeast County Road 234 | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Spessard L. Holland East-West Expressway | 0.8 mi | <1m |
| Alafaya Trail | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 46.1 mi, about 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alafaya, FL and Gainesville, FL.
1
Start on O'Berry Hoover Road
0.2 mi
·
54 sec
·
O'Berry Hoover Road
2
Turn right onto FL 50
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
East Colonial Drive
3
Turn right onto Alafaya Trail
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Alafaya Trail
Use the right lane.
4
Continue on North Alafaya Trail
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
North Alafaya Trail
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward FL 408 Toll West: Orlando, Ocoee
Use the right lane.
6
Merge onto FL 408 Toll
19 mi
·
22 min
·
East-West Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on FL 408 Toll
0.8 mi
·
53 sec
·
Spessard L. Holland East-West Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward Florida's Turnpike North, Ocala
9
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
42 mi
·
45 min
·
Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto Florida's Turnpike
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
Florida's Turnpike
Toward I 75 North: Ocala
Use the straight lane.
11
Merge onto I 75
46 mi
·
49 min
·
I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 374
Toward CR 234: Micanopy
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn right onto CR 234
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Southeast County Road 234
14
Turn left
421 ft
·
15 sec
Use the left lane.
15
Turn straight onto US 441
8.0 mi
·
9 min
·
US 441
Use the straight lane.
16
Turn right onto FL 331
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Southwest Williston Road
Use the right lane.
17
Turn left onto CR 329
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
South Main Street
18
Enter roundabout onto CR 329
92 ft
·
1 sec
·
South Main Street
19
Continue on CR 329
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
South Main Street
20
Enter roundabout onto CR 329
177 ft
·
3 sec
·
South Main Street
21
Continue on CR 329
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Arrive at destination
CR 329
Trip Plan
With a drive time under 2.5 hours, this route offers flexibility. You can depart anytime, but leaving in the morning will give you ample daylight. Since the longest stretch without a break is over 46 miles, plan for a brief stop around that mark if you prefer to stretch your legs. Fuel costs are estimated at $20, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before departing Alafaya, as the extensive highway usage means fewer opportunities for quick, cheap fill-ups off the main thoroughfare.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 61.8 miles from Alafaya, FL, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.1 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 27 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61.8 miles or 1h 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gainesville, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Alafaya, FL so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Alafaya, FL
This is one driving day of about 123.5 miles and 2h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Alafaya, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 46.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
62 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 61.8 miles from Alafaya, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 111 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
FL 50 / East Colonial Drive
Turn right onto FL 50 / East Colonial Drive
Navigation decision point
6
1.5 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the ramp toward FL 408 Toll West: Orlando, Ocoee
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward FL 408 Toll West: Orlando, Ocoee
6
21.6 mi into trip
|
~27m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Florida's Turnpike North, Ocala
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Florida's Turnpike North, Ocala
7
64.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 13m in
|
Florida's Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto Florida's Turnpike toward I 75 North: Ocala
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 75 North: Ocala
7
111 mi into trip
|
~2h 3m in
Take the exit toward CR 234: Micanopy
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 374
Toward CR 234: Micanopy
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.66 one way
$39.32 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
43 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $21.38 | $42.77 |
| premium | $4.72 | $22.96 | $45.93 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $27.27 | $54.53 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.96
Florida's Turnpike
(42.3 mi)
$2.96
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 37.1 | 0 | $12.97 | $5.93 |
| Efficient EV | 30.9 | 0 | $10.81 | $4.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 49.4 | 0 | $17.29 | $7.90 |
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Gainesville, FL
Morning in Gainesville on Tuesday
Local time
11:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
90°F
Wildwood, FL
62 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 22m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 94% of the route utilizing major expressways like Florida's Turnpike and I 75. You'll experience long stretches of consistent speed, including a notable 46.1-mile segment on I 75 without significant interruptions. The character of the road is consistent, offering a smooth and predictable driving experience for the majority of the journey. It's a route designed for steady progress rather than varied scenery, making it efficient for travel.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 46.1 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Florida's Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near FL 50 / East Colonial Drive.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 123.5 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (FL 50 / East Colonial Drive): Navigation decision point; at 1.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Alafaya, FL and Gainesville, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike North, Ocala and Cr 234: Micanopy.
Florida's Turnpike North
21.6 mi in
|
~27m
Ocala
21.6 mi in
|
~27m
Cr 234: Micanopy
111 mi in
|
~2h 3m
About the Cities
Arriving in Gainesville, FL
Full guide →Founded 1853
Gainesville is in North Central Florida. It is home to the University of Florida, and Santa Fe College.
Top landmarks
- • Hippodrome State Theatre — theater in Gainesville, Florida, United States
- • Anderson Hall — historic building on the campus of the University of Florida, USA
- • Buckman Hall — University of Florida campus
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 22m. Total distance: 123.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 46.1 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.96 in tolls one way, starting with Florida's Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Gainesville, FL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (FL 50 / East Colonial Drive): Navigation decision point; at 1.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Gainesville, FL before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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