This 105.3-mile drive from Deltona, FL to Gainesville, FL takes about 2 hours and 26 minutes, making it a perfect one-day trip. The route primarily utilizes West State Road 40 and I-75, with a small portion on FL 326, offering a mixed driving experience. You'll spend about 47% of your time on highways. With an estimated fuel cost of $18, this trip is budget-friendly for a single day's adventure. Both your origin and destination are within Florida, so expect familiar scenery and services throughout. This journey is straightforward and easily manageable for a quick visit.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
52.6 miles from Deltona, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
West State Road 40
39.2 mi
54m
I 75
16.6 mi
17m
FL 326
9.9 mi
14m
North US Highway 17
9.4 mi
12m
US 441
8 mi
9m
South Spring Garden Avenue
5.1 mi
8m
FL 472
2.9 mi
3m
South Main Street
2.4 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
West State Road 40
— 39.2 mi, about 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Deltona, FL and Gainesville, FL.
1
Start on East Normandy Boulevard
0.8 mi·1 min·East Normandy Boulevard
2
Turn left onto CR 4146
0.5 mi·56 sec·Saxon Boulevard
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·49 sec
4
Merge onto I 4
2.4 mi·2 min·I 4
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 114Toward FL 472: Deltona, DeLandUse the slight right lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork
451 ft·16 sec
Toward FL 472 West: Cassadaga, De Land, Orange City Historic District, Blue Springs State ParkUse the left lane.
7
Continue on FL 472
2.9 mi·3 min·FL 472
Use the right lane.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Toward US 17 North, US 92 East: DeLandUse the right lane.
9
Continue on US 17; US 92
1.5 mi·2 min·South Woodland Boulevard
10
Turn left onto FL 15A
0.4 mi·41 sec·West Taylor Road
Use the left lane.
11
Continue on FL 15A
1.4 mi·2 min·South State Road 15a
12
Continue on FL 15A
5.1 mi·8 min·South Spring Garden Avenue
Use the left lane.
13
Turn left onto US 17
3.9 mi·5 min·North US Highway 17
14
Enter roundabout onto US 17
137 ft·2 sec·North US Highway 17
15
Continue on US 17
5.5 mi·7 min·North US Highway 17
16
Turn left onto FL 40
39 mi·54 min·West State Road 40
Use the left lane.
17
Turn right onto FL 326
9.9 mi·14 min·FL 326
Use the left / straight lanes.
18
Continue on FL 326
1.1 mi·1 min·Northwest 77th Street
Use the straight lane.
19
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I 75 North: Lake City
20
Merge onto I 75
17 mi·17 min·I 75
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 374Toward CR 234: MicanopyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn right onto CR 234
1.3 mi·2 min·Southeast County Road 234
23
Turn left
421 ft·15 sec
Use the left lane.
24
Turn straight onto US 441
8.0 mi·9 min·US 441
Use the straight lane.
25
Turn right onto FL 331
0.5 mi·1 min·Southwest Williston Road
Use the right lane.
26
Turn left onto CR 329
1.6 mi·2 min·South Main Street
27
Enter roundabout onto CR 329
92 ft·1 sec·South Main Street
28
Continue on CR 329
0.2 mi·32 sec·South Main Street
29
Enter roundabout onto CR 329
177 ft·3 sec·South Main Street
30
Continue on CR 329
0.5 mi·1 min·South Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
31
Arrive at destination
CR 329
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour and 26-minute duration, this trip is well-suited for a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Consider leaving in the morning to maximize your time at your destination. While there are no mandatory stops programmed, the longest stretch without a significant change in road type is over 39 miles, so plan for a brief break if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $18; it's always wise to top off before heading out, especially on the longer stretches of West State Road 40.
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 52.6 miles from Deltona, FL, or about 1h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 39.2 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 23 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.6 miles or 1h 16m 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 1m
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 Deltona, 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 Deltona, FL
This is one driving day of about 105.3 miles and 2h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Deltona, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on West State Road 40 for about 39.2 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 4 and 92.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
4 mi into trip|~6m in
Take the exit toward FL 472: Deltona, DeLand
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 114
Toward FL 472: Deltona, DeLand
9
4.3 mi into trip|~6m in
Keep slight left at fork toward FL 472 West: Cassadaga, De Land, Orange City Historic District, Blue Springs State Park
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward FL 472 West: Cassadaga, De Land, Orange...
7
7.4 mi into trip|~11m in
Take the exit toward US 17 North, US 92 East: DeLand
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward US 17 North, US 92 East: DeLand
6
9.3 mi into trip|~14m in|FL 15A / West Taylor Road
Turn left onto FL 15A / West Taylor Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
92.7 mi into trip|~2h 8m 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
$16.76 one way
$33.52 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg37 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$18.23
$36.47
premium
$4.72
$19.58
$39.16
diesel
$5.61
$23.25
$46.50
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
31.6
0
$11.06
$5.05
Efficient EV
26.3
0
$9.21
$4.21
EV Truck/SUV
42.1
0
$14.74
$6.74
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (68% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Deltona, FL
Late night
in Deltona on Sunday
Local time
12:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Gainesville, FL
Late night
in Gainesville on Sunday
Local time
12:15 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
20 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 26m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route presents a varied driving personality, blending highway speeds with more local road conditions. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 39.2 miles on West State Road 40, which likely offers a more relaxed pace. The drive then transitions to I-75, where you'll experience faster travel, accounting for nearly half of your journey. The mix of road types means you'll get a sense of Florida's diverse landscapes as you progress from one type of road to another, keeping the driving engaging.
47% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 39.2 mi on West State Road 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4 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 21 significant decision points across 105.3 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 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
194 ft13 ft
Total Climb
336 ft
Total Descent
190 ft
Highest Point
194 ft
~90.2 mi in
Elevation Range
182 ft
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 Deltona, FL to Gainesville, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Cr 234: Micanopy along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 26m. Total distance: 105.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (47%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 39.2 miles on West State Road 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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.
