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Trip from Fort Walton Beach, FL to Gainesville, FL

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 54m

Distance

310.4 mi

500 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$49

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
5h 42m ★
6 AM
5h 55m
8 AM
6h 21m
10 AM
6h 4m
12 PM
6h 1m
3 PM
6h 5m
5 PM
6h 20m
8 PM
5h 47m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Okaloosa County, Florida, United States

Fort Walton Beach, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 310.4-mile drive from Fort Walton Beach, FL, to Gainesville, FL, is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 5 hours and 54 minutes. With 92% of the journey on highways, it's a straightforward drive primarily utilizing I-10 and I-75. The estimated fuel cost for this Florida-to-Florida route is around $52, making it an economical option. This route is best suited for those who prefer efficient travel on major roads, with only one recommended stop to break up the journey. It's a practical choice for a quick transition across the state.

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

155.2 miles from Fort Walton Beach, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 10 226.1 mi 4h 2m
I 75 47.2 mi 50m
North Partin Drive 17.4 mi 22m
Eglin Parkway Northeast 7 mi 12m
West University Avenue 3.4 mi 8m
Eglin Parkway 2.9 mi 4m
West Newberry Road 2.4 mi 5m
West John Sims Parkway 1.4 mi 3m
Longest stretch: I 10 — 226.1 mi, about 4h 2m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fort Walton Beach, FL and Gainesville, FL.

1

Start on Hummingbird Avenue Northwest

153 ft · 8 sec · Hummingbird Avenue Northwest
2

Turn right onto Williams Street Northwest

0.2 mi · 56 sec · Williams Street Northwest
3

At end of road, turn left onto FL 189

0.2 mi · 27 sec · Beal Parkway Northwest
4

Turn sharp right onto Yacht Club Drive

0.3 mi · 41 sec · Yacht Club Drive
5

Turn left onto FL 85

7.0 mi · 12 min · Eglin Parkway Northeast
Use the left lane.
6

Continue on FL 85

2.9 mi · 4 min · Eglin Parkway
Use the right lane.
7

Continue on FL 85

0.7 mi · 1 min · Government Avenue
8

Turn left onto FL 85

1.4 mi · 3 min · West John Sims Parkway
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
9

Turn left onto FL 285

17 mi · 22 min · North Partin Drive
Use the left lane.
10

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 55 sec
Toward I 10 East: Tallahassee
11

Merge onto I 10

226 mi · 4 hr 2 min · I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 37 sec
Exit 296A Toward I-75 South: Tampa
13

Merge onto I 75

47 mi · 50 min · I 75
Use the straight lane.
14

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Exit 387 Toward FL 26: Gainesville, Newberry, Newberry Road Use the slight right lane.
15

Turn right onto FL 26

2.4 mi · 5 min · West Newberry Road
Use the right lane.
16

Continue on FL 26

3.4 mi · 8 min · West University Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
17

Turn right onto CR 329

115 ft · 3 sec · South Main Street
18

Arrive at destination

CR 329

Trip Plan

Given the 5-hour 54-minute duration, you can comfortably complete this drive in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to allow ample time for the drive and any brief stops. The longest stretch on I-10 is over 200 miles, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly before you begin this long segment. With only one recommended stop, consider making it a meal break to recharge. The total fuel cost is estimated at $52, so factor that into your budget before you leave Fort Walton Beach.

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 155.2 miles from Fort Walton Beach, FL, or about 3h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 226.1 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 68 miles or 1h 27m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 155.2 miles or 3h 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 47m

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 Fort Walton Beach, 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 Fort Walton Beach, FL

This is one driving day of about 310.4 miles and 5h 54m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from Fort Walton Beach, 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 226.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in and county seat of Gadsden County, Florida, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Quincy, FL

155 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Chipley, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 68 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Tallahassee, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 155.2 miles from Fort Walton Beach, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 226.1 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Ellianos Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lake City, Florida

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 266

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+13867520202

Visit website

Two Cuban Guy's Home of Garcia's Place

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lake City, Florida

1.9 mi

Ellianos Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Live Oak, Florida

1.1 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Kava Gator Coffee Shop

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Gainesville, Florida

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route mile 310.4

Hours: 7 am–11 pm

+13522449942

Visit website

Cafe THCA

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Gainesville, Florida

0.3 mi

Brew & Root Kava Cafe

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Gainesville, Florida

0.4 mi

Ellianos Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 266

Lake City, Florida

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+13867520202

Visit website

Two Cuban Guy's Home of Garcia's Place

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 266

Lake City, Florida

Hours: 11 am–6 pm

+13057755055

Ellianos Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 243.9

Live Oak, Florida

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+13862194646

Visit website

Ellianos Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 266

Lake City, Florida

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+13864388064

Visit website

Downtown Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 243.9

Live Oak, Florida

Hours: 10:30 am–2:30 pm

+13863300320

Visit website

Sandy's Cafe & Bakery Inc

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 243.9

Live Oak, Florida

Hours: 8 am–9 pm

+13863623875

Visit website

Starbucks

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 155.2

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: 5 am–8 pm

+18505621373

Visit website

WestEnd Square

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 155.2

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: 9 am–8 pm

+15168691240

Visit website

Kava Gator Coffee Shop

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route mile 310.4

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: 7 am–11 pm

+13522449942

Visit website

Cafe THCA

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 310.4

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: 9 am–10 pm

+13522348090

Visit website

Brew & Root Kava Cafe

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 310.4

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: 9 am–1 pm

+13527741308

Visit website

lowbar coffee + skateboarding

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 310.4

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

Visit website

Daydreamer Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 310.4

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

Visit website

Pascal's Coffeehouse

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 310.4

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+13523775480

Visit website

7 Brew Coffee

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 243.9

Live Oak, Florida

Hours: 5:30 am–10 pm

+14793589274

Visit website

Coffee Culture

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 310.4

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+13523771700

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 243.9

Live Oak, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

EVmatch Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 310.4

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+16508228157

Visit website

FPL EVolution Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 243.9

Live Oak, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 310.4

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 310.4

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 310.4

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 266

Lake City, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 310.4

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Depot Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 310.4

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: 6:30 am–11:30 pm

+13523938510

Visit website

Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 310.4

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+13523718001

Visit website

Indian Temple Mound Museum

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Fort Walton Beach, Florida

Hours: 10 am–3 pm

+18508339595

Visit website

Cattywampus Aquatic Adventures

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour

Okaloosa Island, Florida

Hours: 9 am–6 pm

+18505860450

Visit website

Lake Jackson Mounds State Park

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 155.2

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+18509226007

Visit website

Mission San Luis

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 155.2

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+18502456406

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 304.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Williams Street Northwest

Turn right onto Williams Street Northwest

Navigation decision point

6
0.2 mi into trip | ~1m in | FL 189 / Beal Parkway Northwest

At end of road, turn left onto FL 189 / Beal Parkway Northwest

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

5
0.4 mi into trip | ~1m in | Yacht Club Drive

Turn sharp right onto Yacht Club Drive

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

6
0.7 mi into trip | ~2m in | FL 85 / Eglin Parkway Northeast

Turn left onto FL 85 / Eglin Parkway Northeast

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
8
304.3 mi into trip | ~5h 40m 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

$49.41 one way

$98.81 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 109 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.40 $53.75 $107.49
premium $4.72 $57.72 $115.43
diesel $5.61 $68.53 $137.06

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$49

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$74–$99

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 108.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 93.1 1 $32.59 $14.90
Efficient EV 77.6 0 $27.16 $12.42
EV Truck/SUV 124.2 1 $43.46 $19.87

Gas CO2

109 kg

EV CO2

36 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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Fort Walton Beach, FL

Night in Fort Walton Beach on Saturday

Local time

11:23 PM

CDT

Current temp

63°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Gainesville, FL

Late night in Gainesville on Sunday

Local time

12:23 AM

EDT

Current temp

81°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

81°F

Quincy, FL

155 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

1 hour later

The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.

Temperature spread

18 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 54m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this trip, with 92% of the route on major interstates like I-10 and I-75. The longest uninterrupted stretch spans 226.1 miles on I-10, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of the drive. While the majority is high-speed interstate, there's a brief section on North Partin Drive that might offer a slight change of scenery before rejoining the main highways. This profile suggests a journey where maintaining speed and covering distance efficiently is the primary characteristic.

92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 226.1 mi on I 10.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and I 75. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Williams Street Northwest.

Driving Effort 5/10

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 310.4 miles you will encounter 13 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: near the start (Williams Street Northwest): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (FL 189 / Beal Parkway Northwest): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.4 miles (Yacht Club Drive): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

246 ft 21 ft

Total Climb

534 ft

Total Descent

378 ft

Highest Point

246 ft

~133 mi in

Elevation Range

225 ft

About the Cities

Arriving in Gainesville, FL

Full guide →

Gainesville is in North Central Florida. It is home to the University of Florida, and Santa Fe College.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 54m. Total distance: 310.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 226.1 miles on I 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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.

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: near the start (Williams Street Northwest): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (FL 189 / Beal Parkway Northwest): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.4 miles (Yacht Club Drive): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.8 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.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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