Country Walk to Gainesville is 353.5 miles and takes about 6h 35m via Florida's Turnpike and I-75, with a fuel budget near $55 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, connecting two distinct regions. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making it a straightforward drive. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground between South Florida and North Central Florida. With a recommended one-day drive, you can easily make it to Gainesville with time to spare.
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
176.7 miles from Country Walk, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 18m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
260.8 mi
4h 43m
I 75
46.1 mi
49m
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
29.2 mi
33m
US 441
8 mi
9m
South Main Street
2.4 mi
4m
Southwest 120th Street
1.9 mi
3m
Southeast County Road 234
1.3 mi
2m
Southwest 137th Avenue
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 260.8 mi, about 4h 43m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 22 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~5,526 veh/hr typical
· worst 6,499
Quietest
2 AM
~399 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
13.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Country Walk, FL and Gainesville, FL.
1
Start on Southwest 143rd Terrace
0.8 mi·2 min·Southwest 143rd Terrace
2
At end of road, turn right onto Southwest 136th Street
0.8 mi·1 min·Southwest 136th Street
3
Turn left onto Southwest 137th Avenue
1.1 mi·2 min·Southwest 137th Avenue
4
Turn right onto Southwest 120th Street
1.9 mi·3 min·Southwest 120th Street
5
Turn left
261 ft·6 sec
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll NorthUse the left lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll North
7
Merge onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
1.1 mi·1 min·Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
8
Keep slight right at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
27 mi·30 min·Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
1.0 mi·1 min·Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike Toll NorthUse the straight / slight left lanes.
10
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
261 mi·4 hr 43 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
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.
12
Merge onto I 75
46 mi·49 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 374Toward CR 234: MicanopyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn right onto CR 234
1.3 mi·2 min·Southeast County Road 234
15
Turn left
421 ft·15 sec
Use the left lane.
16
Turn straight onto US 441
8.0 mi·9 min·US 441
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn right onto FL 331
0.5 mi·1 min·Southwest Williston Road
Use the right lane.
18
Turn left onto CR 329
1.6 mi·2 min·South Main Street
19
Enter roundabout onto CR 329
92 ft·1 sec·South Main Street
20
Continue on CR 329
0.2 mi·32 sec·South Main Street
21
Enter roundabout onto CR 329
177 ft·3 sec·South Main Street
22
Continue on CR 329
0.5 mi·1 min·South Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Arrive at destination
CR 329
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour 35-minute drive time, starting in the morning is your best bet to arrive in Gainesville with daylight. The route has only one recommended stop, so plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the halfway point. With 97% of the drive on highways, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 260.8-mile stretch on Florida's Turnpike, as exits might be further apart. The estimated fuel cost of $55 should help you budget for this efficient, single-day trip.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 176.7 miles from Country Walk, FL, or about 3h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 260.8 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 78 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 176.7 miles or 3h 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 25m
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 Country Walk, 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 Country Walk, FL
This is one driving day of about 353.5 miles and 6h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 78 miles from Country Walk, 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 Florida's Turnpike for about 260.8 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.5 and 340.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
4.5 mi into trip|~9m in
Turn left toward Florida's Turnpike Toll North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll North
6
4.5 mi into trip|~9m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Florida's Turnpike Toll North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll North
8
33 mi into trip|~41m in|Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Keep slight right at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike Toll North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike Toll North
7
294.5 mi into trip|~5h 26m 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
340.9 mi into trip|~6h 16m 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
$53.51 one way
$107.02 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg124 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$58.72
$117.43
premium
$4.55
$63.32
$126.65
diesel
$4.80
$66.75
$133.49
Estimated Tolls: $19.99
Florida's Turnpike
(260.5 mi)$18.24
Homestead Extension
(29.2 mi)$1.75
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
$54
Tolls
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$99–$124
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 123.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
106.1
1
$37.12
$16.97
Efficient EV
88.4
1
$30.93
$14.14
EV Truck/SUV
141.4
1
$49.49
$22.62
Gas CO2
124 kg
EV CO2
41 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Country Walk, FL
Morning
in Country Walk on Sunday
Local time
11:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
95°F
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 2 to 9 mph54% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 17 at 3:45AM EDT until July 18 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 2:50AM EDT until July 17 at 7:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Destination
Gainesville, FL
Morning
in Gainesville on Sunday
Local time
11:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
93°F
Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
NW 2 to 8 mph65% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 17 at 3:45AM EDT until July 18 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 2:50AM EDT until July 17 at 7:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
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
2 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
6h 35m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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.
Biscayne National Park
National Park
Within sight of Miami, yet worlds away, Biscayne protects a rare combination of aquamarine waters, emerald islands, and fish-bejeweled coral reefs. Evidence of 10,000 years of human history is here to...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway experience, with 97% of the 353.5-mile route on major roads like Florida's Turnpike and I-75. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 260.8 miles on Florida's Turnpike before transitioning to I-75. The drive involves frequent exits and merges as you navigate through various Florida landscapes. Be prepared for consistent cruising speeds for the majority of your travel.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 260.8 mi on Florida's Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and I 75. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.5 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 353.5 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 4.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 33 miles (Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
178 ft7 ft
Total Climb
254 ft
Total Descent
83 ft
Highest Point
178 ft
~353.5 mi in
Elevation Range
171 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Country Walk, FL and Gainesville, FL, road signs point toward Orlando and Florida's Turnpike Toll North.
Orlando
33 mi in|~41m|via Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Florida's Turnpike Toll North
33 mi in|~41m|via Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 35m. Total distance: 353.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 35m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 260.8 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $19.99 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 4.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 33 miles (Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Biscayne National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.2 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.
