Ferry Pass to Gainesville is 337.8 miles and takes about 6h 11m via I 10 and I 75, with a fuel budget near $52 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, moving from the western part of the state towards the center. You'll be on the highway for almost the entire drive, making it a straightforward transit. With a recommended one-day drive, it's a good option if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently without extensive planning.
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
168.9 miles from Ferry Pass, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
282.8 mi
5h 3m
I 75
47.2 mi
50m
West University Avenue
3.4 mi
8m
West Newberry Road
2.4 mi
5m
East Olive Road
0.5 mi
<1m
North Davis Highway
0.4 mi
<1m
FL 291
0.2 mi
<1m
South Main Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 282.8 mi, about 5h 3m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 108 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,233 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,761
Quietest
2 AM
~150 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 102 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 Ferry Pass, FL and Gainesville, FL.
1
Start on CR 290
0.5 mi·58 sec·East Olive Road
Use the left lane.
2
Turn left onto FL 291
0.2 mi·37 sec·North Davis Highway
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on FL 291
0.1 mi·18 sec·North Davis Highway
4
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 291
0.2 mi·36 sec·FL 291
5
Turn left
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 10 East: TallahasseeUse the left lane.
6
Merge onto I 10
283 mi·5 hr 3 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·37 sec
Exit 296AToward I-75 South: Tampa
8
Merge onto I 75
47 mi·50 min·I 75
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 387Toward FL 26: Gainesville, Newberry, Newberry RoadUse the slight right lane.
10
Turn right onto FL 26
2.4 mi·5 min·West Newberry Road
Use the right lane.
11
Continue on FL 26
3.4 mi·8 min·West University Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Turn right onto CR 329
115 ft·3 sec·South Main Street
13
Arrive at destination
CR 329
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour duration, leaving in the morning is advisable to ensure you arrive with daylight. Plan for one stop to break up the longest stretch of 282.8 miles on I 10. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $52 estimate is based on current prices and your vehicle's efficiency. The high highway share means you can maintain a consistent speed, but be aware of the numerous exits on I 10, which can sometimes cause minor slowdowns.
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 168.9 miles from Ferry Pass, FL, or about 3h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 282.8 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 74 miles or 1h 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 168.9 miles or 3h 2m 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 59m
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 Ferry Pass, 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 Ferry Pass, FL
This is one driving day of about 337.8 miles and 6h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 74 miles from Ferry Pass, 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 10 for about 282.8 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 331.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.9 mi into trip|~1m in|FL 291
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 291
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
7
1.1 mi into trip|~2m in
Turn left toward I 10 East: Tallahassee
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 10 East: Tallahassee
5
1.4 mi into trip|~3m in|I 10
Merge onto I 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
284.2 mi into trip|~5h 6m in
Take the exit toward I-75 South: Tampa
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 296A
Toward I-75 South: Tampa
8
331.8 mi into trip|~5h 57m in
Take the exit toward FL 26: Gainesville, Newberry, Newberry Road
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 387
Toward FL 26: Gainesville, Newberry, Newberry R...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.31 one way
$108.63 round trip
$4.08/gal25.4 MPG avg118 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$59.25
$118.50
premium
$4.78
$63.60
$127.19
diesel
$6.28
$83.47
$166.93
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 118.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
101.3
1
$35.47
$16.21
Efficient EV
84.5
0
$29.56
$13.51
EV Truck/SUV
135.1
1
$47.29
$21.62
Gas CO2
118 kg
EV CO2
40 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Ferry Pass, FL
Evening
in Ferry Pass on Thursday
Local time
7:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Clear
NE 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 2:34AM EDT until October 22 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 2:26AM EDT until October 22 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Destination
Gainesville, FL
Evening
in Gainesville on Thursday
Local time
8:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Mostly Cloudy
N 14 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 2:34AM EDT until October 22 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 2:26AM EDT until October 22 at 4:00AM 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
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
8 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
6h 11m 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.
Gulf Islands National Seashore
National Seashore
Millions of visitors are drawn to the Gulf of America for Gulf Islands National Seashore's emerald coast waters, magnificent white beaches, fertile marshes and historical landscapes. Come explore with...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 98% of the travel on major interstates. You'll cover a significant 282.8 miles on I 10 before transitioning. The final portion of the drive will involve surface roads, specifically West University Avenue, as you enter Gainesville. Expect a high volume of exits and potential for merging traffic as you approach urban areas.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 282.8 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and I 75. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in near FL 291.
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 337.8 miles you will encounter 10 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 0.9 miles (FL 291): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 1.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.4 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 11m. Total distance: 337.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 11m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 282.8 miles on I 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 31 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 31 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles (FL 291): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 1.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.4 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Gulf Islands National Seashore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.4 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.
