Trip from Gainesville, FL to Lauderhill, FL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 40m
Distance
309.4 mi
498 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$50
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Gainesville, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Lauderhill, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Gainesville to Lauderhill is 309.4 miles and takes about 5h 40m via Florida's Turnpike and I 75, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, taking you from the northern part of the state down towards South Florida. It's a heavily highway-based route, meaning you'll cover a lot of ground quickly. Plan on spending most of your time on major interstates, making it a straightforward drive for those looking to reach their destination efficiently.
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
154.7 miles from Gainesville, 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 | 249.3 mi | 4h 29m |
| I 75 | 46.2 mi | 49m |
| US 441 | 8 mi | 9m |
| South Main Street | 2.5 mi | 5m |
| Southeast County Road 234 | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Southwest Williston Road | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Northwest 47th Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| West Sunrise Boulevard | 0.2 mi | <1m |
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
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 Lauderhill, FL.
Start on CR 329
Enter roundabout onto CR 329
Continue on CR 329
Enter roundabout onto CR 329
Continue on CR 329
Turn right onto FL 331
Turn left onto South Main Street
Turn straight onto US 441
Continue on US 441
Continue on US 441
Turn right onto CR 234
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 75
Take the exit onto Florida's Turnpike
Take the exit
Turn straight onto SR 838
Turn left onto Northwest 47th Avenue
Turn left onto Northwest 12th Street
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Consider leaving Gainesville early in the morning to make the most of daylight, especially since this is a single-day trip. With nearly all of the 309.4 miles on highways, you can cover significant distance before needing a break. The longest stretch, 249.3 miles on Florida's Turnpike, means you'll want to ensure you have fuel and are comfortable before starting it. While the fuel cost is estimated at $48, it's always wise to keep an eye on your gauge as you approach the latter half of the drive, particularly before entering the longer highway segment.
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.
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 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 154.7 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lauderhill, 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 309.4 miles and 5h 40m.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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
A short stop after about 68 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 154.7 miles from Gainesville, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Florida's Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 249.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
West Palm Beach Service Plaza
Canoe Creek Service Plaza
Pilot Travel Center
Pilot Travel Center
Pilot Travel Center
Fort Drum Service Plaza
Pompano Service Plaza
Marion County Rest Area Northbound
Okahumpka Service Plaza
Service Plaza
Port Saint Lucie - Fort Pierce Service Plaza
Petro Stopping Centers
Pilot Travel Center
Pilot Travel Center
TA
Pilot Travel Center
Marion County Rest Area Southbound
Wildwood I-75 Weigh Station Northbound
Service Plaza
Love's Travel Stop
Love's Travel Stop
Wildwood I-75 Weigh Station Southbound
Pilot Travel Center
40392
40391
Alachua County Rest Area (I-75 northbound)
Alachua County Rest Area (I-75 southbound)
Love's Travel Stop
Flying J Travel Center
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 308.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Enter roundabout onto CR 329 / South Main Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Enter roundabout onto CR 329 / South Main Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Turn left onto South Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
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
Take the exit toward SR 838: Sunrise Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.75 one way
$99.50 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.44 | $54.11 | $108.22 |
| premium | $4.78 | $58.20 | $116.40 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $75.27 | $150.53 |
Estimated Tolls: $17.45
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
$50
Tolls
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$92–$117
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 108.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 92.8 | 1 | $32.49 | $14.85 |
| Efficient EV | 77.4 | 0 | $27.07 | $12.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 123.8 | 1 | $43.32 | $19.80 |
Gas CO2
108 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.
Origin
Gainesville, FL
Late night in Gainesville on Tuesday
Local time
4:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Sunny
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
Lauderhill, FL
Late night in Lauderhill on Tuesday
Local time
4:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Clear
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
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 40m 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?
This drive is almost entirely on highways, with a 98% highway share. You'll encounter a long 249.3-mile stretch primarily on Florida's Turnpike. Expect numerous exits and interchanges as you navigate these major roadways. The transition to surface roads will be minimal, occurring very late in the trip.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and I 75. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near CR 329 / South Main Street.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 40m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow 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 0.8 miles (CR 329 / South Main Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 2.9 miles (South Main Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
156 ft
Total Descent
328 ft
Highest Point
230 ft
~88.4 mi in
Elevation Range
225 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 Lauderhill, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike South and Orlando.
Florida's Turnpike South
Orlando
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
Arriving in Lauderhill, FL
Full guide →Founded 1959
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 40m. Total distance: 309.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
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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