Traveling from Clewiston to Gainesville covers 242.7 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 7 minutes. This highway-focused journey utilizes a combination of US 27, Florida's Turnpike, and I-75 to move you efficiently across the state. Because the drive is manageable in a single day, you can easily complete the trip without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $41 on fuel, making it a relatively affordable trek between these two Florida locations. While the route is straightforward, planning for a single stop will help keep you refreshed for the duration of the trip.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
121.4 miles from Clewiston, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 36m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 27
157.7 mi
3h 28m
I 75
46.1 mi
49m
Florida's Turnpike
19.1 mi
20m
US 441
8 mi
9m
Sugarland Highway
6.7 mi
9m
South Main Street
2.4 mi
4m
Southeast County Road 234
1.3 mi
2m
Southwest Williston Road
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 27
— 157.7 mi, about 3h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clewiston, FL and Gainesville, FL.
1
Start on US 27; FL 80
6.7 mi·9 min·Sugarland Highway
2
Continue on US 27; FL 80
51 mi·1 hr 2 min·US 27; FL 80
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on US 27
0.2 mi·19 sec·US 27
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on US 27
10 mi·12 min·US 27
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on US 27
42 mi·55 min·US 27
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
Continue on US 27
28 mi·39 min·US 27
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on US 27
14 mi·19 min·US 27
Use the left lane.
8
Continue on US 27
10 mi·14 min·US 27
9
Continue on US 27
0.3 mi·23 sec·US 27
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 27
3.0 mi·4 min·US 27
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward Florida's Turnpike North: Ocala
12
Continue on this road
0.4 mi·48 sec·this road
Toward Florida's Turnpike North: Ocala
13
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
19 mi·20 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto Florida's Turnpike
0.2 mi·15 sec·Florida's Turnpike
Toward I 75 North: OcalaUse the straight lane.
15
Merge onto I 75
46 mi·49 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 374Toward CR 234: MicanopyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn right onto CR 234
1.3 mi·2 min·Southeast County Road 234
18
Turn left
421 ft·15 sec
Use the left lane.
19
Turn straight onto US 441
8.0 mi·9 min·US 441
Use the straight lane.
20
Turn right onto FL 331
0.5 mi·1 min·Southwest Williston Road
Use the right lane.
21
Turn left onto CR 329
1.6 mi·2 min·South Main Street
22
Enter roundabout onto CR 329
92 ft·1 sec·South Main Street
23
Continue on CR 329
0.2 mi·32 sec·South Main Street
24
Enter roundabout onto CR 329
177 ft·3 sec·South Main Street
25
Continue on CR 329
0.5 mi·1 min·South Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Arrive at destination
CR 329
Trip Plan
To ensure a smooth experience, plan your departure to avoid peak traffic hours on the major interstates involved in this 5-hour trek. Since you only have one recommended stop, choose a location near the transition from US 27 to the Turnpike to maximize your efficiency. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during that long 157.7-mile stretch, as consistent highway speeds can impact your consumption. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so feel free to adjust your pace if you encounter congestion on the busier sections of I-75. Aim to complete the drive in one go to take full advantage of the direct highway connections.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 121.4 miles from Clewiston, FL, or about 2h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 157.7 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 53 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 121.4 miles or 2h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 15m
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 Clewiston, 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 Clewiston, FL
This is one driving day of about 242.7 miles and 5h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Clewiston, 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 US 27 for about 157.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 164.9 and 231.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
164.9 mi into trip|~3h 38m in|Florida's Turnpike
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
183.8 mi into trip|~3h 58m 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
5
184.1 mi into trip|~3h 59m in|I 75
Merge onto I 75
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
230.2 mi into trip|~4h 48m 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
5
231.7 mi into trip|~4h 51m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.63 one way
$77.26 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg85 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$42.02
$84.05
premium
$4.72
$45.13
$90.26
diesel
$5.61
$53.59
$107.17
Estimated Tolls: $1.32
Florida's Turnpike
(18.9 mi)$1.32
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
$39
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
72.8
0
$25.48
$11.65
Efficient EV
60.7
0
$21.24
$9.71
EV Truck/SUV
97.1
1
$33.98
$15.53
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 20, 2026
Origin
Clewiston, FL
Morning
in Clewiston on Tuesday
Local time
6:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Gainesville, FL
Morning
in Gainesville on Tuesday
Local time
6:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
66°F
Eagle Lake, FL
121 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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 7m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is heavily weighted toward high-speed travel, with 95% of the route consisting of highway driving. You will spend a significant portion of your time on US 27, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch of the journey at 157.7 miles. Transitioning from these stretches onto the Turnpike and I-75 creates a consistent, fast-paced experience behind the wheel. Expect a functional, direct drive that prioritizes speed and efficiency over winding backroads. It is a classic Florida transit route that keeps you moving steadily toward your destination in Gainesville.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 157.7 mi on US 27.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 27 and I 75. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 164.9 miles in near Florida's Turnpike.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 242.7 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 164.9 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 183.8 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 184.1 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
203 ft16 ft
Total Climb
354 ft
Total Descent
193 ft
Highest Point
203 ft
~156.1 mi in
Elevation Range
187 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Clewiston, FL and Gainesville, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike North: Ocala and Cr 234: Micanopy.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 7m. Total distance: 242.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 157.7 miles on US 27. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.32 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 164.9 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 183.8 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 184.1 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Gainesville, FL before the return drive.
