Trip from Apollo Beach, FL to Gainesville, FL

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 45m

Distance

144.7 mi

233 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

15 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min

4 AM

2h 34m ★

6 AM

2h 45m

8 AM

3h 7m

10 AM

2h 53m

12 PM

2h 51m

3 PM

2h 54m

5 PM

3h 6m

8 PM

2h 39m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Apollo Beach, FL

Chris The Island

Trip Overview

The drive from Apollo Beach, FL to Gainesville, FL covers 144.7 miles and takes about 2h 45m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 75, US 441, South Main Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 126.5 miles on I 75. At current regular gas prices, budget about $23.03 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

72.3 miles from Apollo Beach, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 22m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 75	126.5 mi	2h 16m
US 441	8 mi	9m
South Main Street	2.4 mi	4m
Tamiami Trail	1.7 mi	2m
Southeast County Road 234	1.3 mi	2m
Big Bend Road	1.3 mi	2m
Apollo Beach Boulevard	1 mi	1m
Southwest Williston Road	0.5 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 75 — 126.5 mi, about 2h 16m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Apollo Beach, FL and Gainesville, FL.

Start on Fairway Boulevard

0.1 mi · 26 sec · Fairway Boulevard

Turn right onto Apollo Beach Boulevard

1.0 mi · 1 min · Apollo Beach Boulevard

Turn left onto US 41

1.7 mi · 2 min · Tamiami Trail

Turn right onto CR 672

1.3 mi · 2 min · Big Bend Road

Use the left / straight lanes.

Take the ramp

1.4 mi · 3 min

Toward I 75 North: Tampa

Merge onto I 75

127 mi · 2 hr 16 min · I 75

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec

Exit 374 Toward CR 234: Micanopy Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn right onto CR 234

1.3 mi · 2 min · Southeast County Road 234

Turn left

421 ft · 15 sec

Use the left lane.

Turn straight onto US 441

8.0 mi · 9 min · US 441

Use the straight lane.

Turn right onto FL 331

0.5 mi · 1 min · Southwest Williston Road

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto CR 329

1.6 mi · 2 min · South Main Street

Enter roundabout onto CR 329

92 ft · 1 sec · South Main Street

Continue on CR 329

0.2 mi · 32 sec · South Main Street

Enter roundabout onto CR 329

177 ft · 3 sec · South Main Street

Continue on CR 329

0.5 mi · 1 min · South Main Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Arrive at destination

CR 329

Trip Plan

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.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 72.3 miles from Apollo Beach, FL, or about 1h 22m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 126.5 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 32 miles or 38m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 72.3 miles or 1h 22m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 11m

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 Apollo Beach, 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 Apollo Beach, FL

This is one driving day of about 144.7 miles and 2h 45m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Apollo Beach, FL.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 126.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bushnell, FL

72 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

Mango, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

South Brooksville, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 72.3 miles from Apollo Beach, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 126.5 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Raining Berries - Lutz / Wesley Chapel

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lutz, Florida

Early in the drive, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 31

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+18139498299

Visit website

Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Lutz, Florida

2.6 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Kava Gator Coffee Shop

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Gainesville, Florida

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route mile 144.7

Hours: 7 am–11 pm

+13522449942

Visit website

Cafe THCA

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Gainesville, Florida

0.3 mi

Brew & Root Kava Cafe

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Gainesville, Florida

0.4 mi

Raining Berries - Lutz / Wesley Chapel

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 31

Lutz, Florida

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+18139498299

Visit website

Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 31

Lutz, Florida

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+18139492428

Visit website

Kava Gator Coffee Shop

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route mile 144.7

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: 7 am–11 pm

+13522449942

Visit website

Cafe THCA

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 144.7

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: 9 am–10 pm

+13522348090

Visit website

Brew & Root Kava Cafe

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 144.7

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: 9 am–1 pm

+13527741308

Visit website

lowbar coffee + skateboarding

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 144.7

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

Visit website

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 144.7

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: 6:20 am–8 pm

Visit website

EVmatch Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 144.7

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+16508228157

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 72.3

Bushnell, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 144.7

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 144.7

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 144.7

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

EvGateway Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 124

Reddick, Florida

Hours: 5 am–1 pm

+19499452000

Visit website

Pilot EV Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 113.7

Ocala, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13524029081

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 62

1.5 mi from route

TA

1.6 mi from route

Depot Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 144.7

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: 6:30 am–11:30 pm

+13523938510

Visit website

Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 144.7

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+13523718001

Visit website

Showmen's Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 10.3

Riverview, Florida

Hours: 12–5 pm

+18136713503

Visit website

New Tampa Recreational Center

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 31

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 10 am–7 pm

+18139752794

Visit website

Cracker Country

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 20.7

Tampa, Florida

+18136274225

Visit website

Scott Springs Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 103.3

Ocala, Florida

Hours: 9 am–7 pm

+13523685517

Visit website

Tuscawilla Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 113.7

Ocala, Florida

+13523685517

Visit website

Tuscawilla Art Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 113.7

Ocala, Florida

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+13526298447

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 5.6 and 144.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5.6 mi into trip | ~10m in | I 75

Merge onto I 75

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

132.1 mi into trip | ~2h 26m 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

133.7 mi into trip | ~2h 29m in

Turn left

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

141.7 mi into trip | ~2h 39m in | FL 331 / Southwest Williston Road

Turn right onto FL 331 / Southwest Williston Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

144.1 mi into trip | ~2h 43m in | CR 329 / South Main Street

Enter roundabout onto CR 329 / South Main Street

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$23.03 one way

$46.06 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 51 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.40	$25.05	$50.11
premium	$4.72	$26.91	$53.81
diesel	$5.61	$31.95	$63.90

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$48–$73

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 50.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

15 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Wawa - Tesla Supercharger

Seffner, FL

Tesla

12 DCFC

Winn-Dixie - Tesla Supercharger

Riverview, FL

Tesla

10 DCFC

Cypress Village Plaza - Tesla Supercharger

Sun City Center, FL

Tesla

8 DCFC

Wawa - Tesla Supercharger

Riverview, FL

Tesla

8 DCFC

Regency Square - Tesla Supercharger

Brandon, FL

Tesla

8 DCFC

Wawa - Tesla Supercharger

Tampa, FL

Tesla

8 DCFC

Wawa - Tesla Supercharger

Tampa, FL

Tesla

8 DCFC

Thorntons, Big Bend Rd, Riverview, FL

Riverview, FL

BP_PULSE

6 DCFC

Tesla: 7 BP_PULSE: 3 7CHARGE: 1 eVgo Network: 1 ChargePoint Network: 1 Electrify America: 1 CHARGEUP: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	43.4	$15.19	$6.95
Efficient EV	36.2	$12.66	$5.79
EV Truck/SUV	57.9	$20.26	$9.26

Gas CO2

51 kg

EV CO2

17 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.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Apollo Beach, FL

Morning in Apollo Beach on Sunday

Local time

7:50 AM

EDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Gainesville, FL

Morning in Gainesville on Sunday

Local time

7:50 AM

EDT

Current temp

81°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

17 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 45m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

De Soto National Memorial

National Memorial

In May 1539, Conquistador Hernando de Soto’s army of soldiers, hired mercenaries, craftsmen, and clergy made landfall in Tampa Bay. They were met with fierce resistance of indigenous people protecting...

23 mi from route ~56 min detour Free

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

144.7 mi in 2h 45m, mostly highway — 126.5 mi of that is on I 75.

93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 126.5 mi on I 75.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and US 441. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 5.6 miles in near I 75.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 2h 45m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 5.6 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 132.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 133.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Apollo Beach, FL to Gainesville, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Cr 234: Micanopy along the way.

Cr 234: Micanopy

132.1 mi in | ~2h 26m

About the Cities

Arriving in Gainesville, FL

Full guide →

Gainesville is in North Central Florida. It is home to the University of Florida, and Santa Fe College.

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 45m. Total distance: 144.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (93%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 126.5 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

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, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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