Origin
Gainesville, FL
Late night in Gainesville on Sunday
Local time
2:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Gainesville, FL to Lake Butler, FL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 6, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 4m
Distance
104.9 mi
169 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 55m
★
6 AM
2h 4m
8 AM
2h 22m
10 AM
2h 10m
12 PM
2h 9m
3 PM
2h 11m
5 PM
2h 21m
8 PM
1h 59m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Gainesville, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Lake Butler, FL
Matt Fitz Gibaud
Trip Overview
The drive from Gainesville, FL to Lake Butler, FL covers 104.9 miles and takes about 2h 4m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 75, Florida's Turnpike, US 441 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 46.2 miles on I 75. At current regular gas prices, budget about $16.22 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
52.4 miles from Gainesville, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 1m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 46.2 mi | 49m |
| Florida's Turnpike | 40.7 mi | 43m |
| US 441 | 8 mi | 9m |
| Maguire Road | 3.4 mi | 6m |
| South Main Street | 2.5 mi | 5m |
| Southeast County Road 234 | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| West Colonial Drive | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Southwest Williston Road | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 46.2 mi, about 49m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
11 AM
~2,799 veh/hr typical · worst 3,759
Quietest
2 AM
~427 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 100 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 Gainesville, FL and Lake Butler, FL.
1
Start on CR 329
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Enter roundabout onto CR 329
148 ft
·
3 sec
·
South Main Street
3
Continue on CR 329
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
South Main Street
4
Enter roundabout onto CR 329
57 ft
·
1 sec
·
South Main Street
5
Continue on CR 329
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
South Main Street
6
Turn right onto FL 331
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
·
Southwest Williston Road
7
Turn left onto South Main Street
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
South Main Street
Use the left lane.
8
Turn straight onto US 441
0.4 mi
·
33 sec
·
US 441
Use the straight / left lanes.
9
Continue on US 441
7.0 mi
·
8 min
·
US 441
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 441
0.6 mi
·
47 sec
·
US 441
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn right onto CR 234
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Southeast County Road 234
Use the right lane.
12
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 75 South: Tampa
13
Merge onto I 75
46 mi
·
49 min
·
I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit onto Florida's Turnpike
41 mi
·
43 min
·
Florida's Turnpike
Exit 328
Toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 267B
Toward FL 50: Ocoee
Use the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Toward FL 50 East: Ocoee
Use the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto FL 50
0.5 mi
·
53 sec
·
West Colonial Drive
18
Turn right onto CR 439
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Maguire Road
Use the right lane.
19
Continue on Maguire Road
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
Maguire Road
20
Continue on Main Street
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
Main Street
21
Turn right onto North Drive
66 ft
·
6 sec
·
North Drive
22
Turn left onto Main Street
201 ft
·
11 sec
·
Main Street
23
Turn right onto 1st Avenue
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
1st Avenue
24
At end of road, turn right onto Pine Street
194 ft
·
10 sec
·
Pine Street
25
Turn right
0.1 mi
·
39 sec
26
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
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 52.4 miles from Gainesville, FL, or about 1h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.2 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 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.4 miles or 1h 1m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lake Butler, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Gainesville, 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 Gainesville, FL
This is one driving day of about 104.9 miles and 2h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Gainesville, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 46.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
52 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 52.4 miles from Gainesville, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 205 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 100.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
CR 329 / South Main Street
Enter roundabout onto CR 329 / South Main Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
8
58.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 8m in
|
Florida's Turnpike
Take the exit onto Florida's Turnpike toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 328
Toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando
7
99.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 51m in
Take the exit toward FL 50: Ocoee
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 267B
Toward FL 50: Ocoee
7
100.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 53m in
Keep slight right at fork toward FL 50 East: Ocoee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward FL 50 East: Ocoee
6
100.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 55m in
|
CR 439 / Maguire Road
Turn right onto CR 439 / Maguire Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.22 one way
$32.44 round trip
$3.93/gal
25.4 MPG avg
37 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.30 | $17.77 | $35.53 |
| premium | $4.63 | $19.11 | $38.21 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $23.12 | $46.25 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.85
Florida's Turnpike
(40.7 mi)
$2.85
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
$16
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 31.5 | 0 | $11.01 | $5.04 |
| Efficient EV | 26.2 | 0 | $9.18 | $4.20 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 42 | 0 | $14.69 | $6.71 |
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.
Destination
Lake Butler, FL
Late night in Lake Butler on Sunday
Local time
2:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°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
2 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 4m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
104.9 mi in 2h 4m, mostly highway — 46.2 mi of that is on I 75.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 46.2 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Florida's Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near CR 329 / South Main Street.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 104.9 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 0.5 miles (CR 329 / South Main Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 58.8 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 99.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
191 ft
53 ft
Total Climb
209 ft
Total Descent
281 ft
Highest Point
191 ft
~15 mi in
Elevation Range
138 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Gainesville, FL and Lake Butler, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike South and Orlando.
Florida's Turnpike South
58.8 mi in
|
~1h 8m
|
via Florida's Turnpike
Orlando
58.8 mi in
|
~1h 8m
|
via Florida's Turnpike
About the Cities
Starting in Gainesville, FL
Full guide →Founded 1853
Gainesville is in North Central Florida. It is home to the University of Florida, and Santa Fe College.
Top landmarks
- • Hippodrome State Theatre — theater in Gainesville, Florida, United States
- • Anderson Hall — historic building on the campus of the University of Florida, USA
- • Buckman Hall — University of Florida campus
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 2h 4m. Total distance: 104.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 46.2 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.85 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.
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 Lake Butler, 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 0.5 miles (CR 329 / South Main Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 58.8 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 99.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Lake Butler, FL before heading back.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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