Davie to Gainesville is 314.5 miles and takes about 5h 47m via Florida's Turnpike and I-75, with a fuel budget near $54 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Florida, primarily using major highways to connect South Florida to the central part of the state. It's a straightforward trip, mostly on the Turnpike and I-75, making it a good option if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently. With 98% of the route on highways, expect a consistent driving experience with minimal time spent on surface roads.
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
157.2 miles from Davie, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
254.1 mi
4h 35m
I 75
46.1 mi
49m
US 441
8 mi
9m
South Main Street
2.4 mi
4m
Southeast County Road 234
1.3 mi
2m
Griffin Road
1.1 mi
1m
Southwest Williston Road
0.5 mi
1m
Davie Road
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 254.1 mi, about 4h 35m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
11 AM
~2,820 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,734
Quietest
2 AM
~427 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 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 Davie, FL and Gainesville, FL.
1
Start on Southwest 47th Street
346 ft·22 sec·Southwest 47th Street
2
Turn left onto Davie Road
0.1 mi·18 sec·Davie Road
3
Turn right onto SR 818
1.1 mi·1 min·Griffin Road
4
Turn left
269 ft·6 sec
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward Florida's Turnpike North: OrlandoUse the straight / left lanes.
6
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
254 mi·4 hr 35 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
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.
8
Merge onto I 75
46 mi·49 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 374Toward CR 234: MicanopyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn right onto CR 234
1.3 mi·2 min·Southeast County Road 234
11
Turn left
421 ft·15 sec
Use the left lane.
12
Turn straight onto US 441
8.0 mi·9 min·US 441
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn right onto FL 331
0.5 mi·1 min·Southwest Williston Road
Use the right lane.
14
Turn left onto CR 329
1.6 mi·2 min·South Main Street
15
Enter roundabout onto CR 329
92 ft·1 sec·South Main Street
16
Continue on CR 329
0.2 mi·32 sec·South Main Street
17
Enter roundabout onto CR 329
177 ft·3 sec·South Main Street
18
Continue on CR 329
0.5 mi·1 min·South Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Arrive at destination
CR 329
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5h 47m drive, consider leaving Davie early in the morning to avoid rush hour traffic. Since the majority of the route is on highways, you can cover significant distance quickly. The longest stretch is 254.1 miles on Florida's Turnpike, so plan for at least one substantial stop around the halfway point for fuel and a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before entering longer stretches, and budget around $54 for gas. This route is easily manageable in a single day, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace, you could split it with an overnight stay in Central Florida.
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 157.2 miles from Davie, FL, or about 2h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 254.1 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 69 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 157.2 miles or 2h 52m 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 41m
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 Davie, 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 Davie, FL
This is one driving day of about 314.5 miles and 5h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from Davie, 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 254.1 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 301.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Davie Road
Turn left onto Davie Road
Navigation decision point
5
1.3 mi into trip|~2m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
1.3 mi into trip|~2m in
Take the ramp toward Florida's Turnpike North: Orlando
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward Florida's Turnpike North: Orlando
7
255.5 mi into trip|~4h 39m 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
301.9 mi into trip|~5h 28m 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
$47.61 one way
$95.22 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg110 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$52.24
$104.48
premium
$4.55
$56.34
$112.68
diesel
$4.80
$59.38
$118.77
Estimated Tolls: $17.77
Florida's Turnpike
(253.9 mi)$17.77
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
$48
Tolls
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$90–$115
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 110 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
94.4
1
$33.02
$15.10
Efficient EV
78.6
0
$27.52
$12.58
EV Truck/SUV
125.8
1
$44.03
$20.13
Gas CO2
110 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (66% 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
Davie, FL
Late night
in Davie on Sunday
Local time
2:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
94°F
Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
SW 3 to 10 mph58% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 1:59PM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 1:29PM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Destination
Gainesville, FL
Late night
in Gainesville on Sunday
Local time
2:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
93°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
NW 8 mph77% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 1:59PM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 1:29PM EDT by NWS Jacksonville 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
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
5h 47m 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?
You'll spend nearly all of your time on major highways, with 98% of the 314.5-mile trip on routes like Florida's Turnpike and I-75. The longest continuous stretch on the highway is 254.1 miles, all on Florida's Turnpike. This means you'll encounter a high volume of exits and potentially faster speeds for most of the drive. Surface roads will only become a factor in the final miles as you approach Gainesville.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 254.1 mi on Florida's Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and I 75. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Davie Road.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 314.5 miles you will encounter 16 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Davie Road): Navigation decision point; at 1.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 47m. Total distance: 314.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 254.1 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $17.77 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.
Yes — we found about 30 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 30 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Davie Road): Navigation decision point; at 1.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.6 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.
