Gainesville, FL to Myrtle Grove, FL is 346.6 miles and takes about 6h 26m via I 10, I 75, and West University Avenue, with a fuel budget near $60 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, covering a significant distance mostly on major interstates. You'll spend the bulk of your time on I 10, which makes up the longest stretch of the drive at 283.4 miles. Given the duration and the single recommended day, this is a straightforward drive best suited for making good time.
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
173.3 miles from Gainesville, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
283.4 mi
5h 3m
I 75
46.7 mi
50m
West University Avenue
3.3 mi
8m
East Fairfield Drive
2.9 mi
5m
Reubin O'Donovan Askew Parkway
2.7 mi
3m
Newberry Road
2.3 mi
4m
Fairfield Drive
1.6 mi
3m
Lillian Highway
1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 283.4 mi, about 5h 3m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 38 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,320 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,837
Quietest
2 AM
~156 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Myrtle Grove, FL.
1
Start on CR 329
115 ft·10 sec·South Main Street
2
Turn left onto FL 24; FL 26
3.3 mi·8 min·West University Avenue
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on FL 26
2.3 mi·4 min·Newberry Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward I 75 North: Lake CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Merge onto I 75
47 mi·50 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·15 sec
Exit 435Toward I 10: Jacksonville, TallahasseeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·30 sec
Toward I 10 West: TallahasseeUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 10
283 mi·5 hr 3 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 12Toward I 110 South: Pensacola, Pensacola BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 110
2.7 mi·3 min·Reubin O'Donovan Askew Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Exit 4Toward FL 295: Fairfield DriveUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward FL 295 South
13
Turn straight onto FL 295
2.9 mi·5 min·East Fairfield Drive
14
Continue on FL 727
1.6 mi·3 min·Fairfield Drive
15
Turn left onto North 57th Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·North 57th Avenue
Use the left lane.
16
Turn right onto FL 298
1.0 mi·2 min·Lillian Highway
17
Turn right
44 ft·5 sec
18
Turn right
82 ft·5 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6h 26m drive, consider an early morning departure from Gainesville. This will help you avoid potential traffic and maximize daylight hours for the 346.6-mile trip. With only one recommended day, planning for a single stop is advisable, perhaps halfway through the longest stretch on I 10. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 283.4-mile segment on I 10, as services can sometimes be more spread out. The estimated fuel cost is around $60, so budget accordingly.
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 173.3 miles from Gainesville, FL, or about 3h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 283.4 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 76 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 173.3 miles or 3h 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Myrtle Grove, 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 346.6 miles and 6h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 76 miles from Gainesville, 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 283.4 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 340.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|FL 24; FL 26 / West University Avenue
Turn left onto FL 24; FL 26 / West University Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
52.8 mi into trip|~1h 4m in
Take the exit toward I 10: Jacksonville, Tallahassee
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 435
Toward I 10: Jacksonville, Tallahassee
8
52.9 mi into trip|~1h 4m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 West: Tallahassee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 10 West: Tallahassee
8
336.6 mi into trip|~6h 9m in
Take the exit toward I 110 South: Pensacola, Pensacola Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 12
Toward I 110 South: Pensacola, Pensacola Beach
7
340.2 mi into trip|~6h 13m in
Take the exit toward FL 295: Fairfield Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 4
Toward FL 295: Fairfield Drive
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$52.47 one way
$104.94 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg121 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$57.57
$115.14
premium
$4.55
$62.09
$124.18
diesel
$4.80
$65.44
$130.89
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 121.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
104
1
$36.39
$16.64
Efficient EV
86.7
0
$30.33
$13.86
EV Truck/SUV
138.6
1
$48.52
$22.18
Gas CO2
121 kg
EV CO2
41 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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Gainesville, FL
Morning
in Gainesville on Sunday
Local time
11:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Partly Cloudy
SE 3 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Myrtle Grove, FL
Morning
in Myrtle Grove on Sunday
Local time
10:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
0 mph23% chanceLive forecast
89°F
Quincy, FL
173 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 earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
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
6h 26m 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...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
$25
near mile 346.6
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 96% of it on major roads. You'll encounter a very long stretch of 283.4 miles on I 10, meaning you'll be on the interstate for a considerable period. The transition to surface roads, like West University Avenue, will occur towards the end of your trip. Expect a high volume of exits and potential merging traffic as you navigate these interstates.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 283.4 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and I 75. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near FL 24; FL 26 / West University Avenue.
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 14 significant decision points across 346.6 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: near the start (FL 24; FL 26 / West University Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 52.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 52.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
275 ft2 ft
Total Climb
445 ft
Total Descent
578 ft
Highest Point
275 ft
~272.3 mi in
Elevation Range
273 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 Gainesville, FL to Myrtle Grove, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Tallahassee along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 26m. Total distance: 346.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 26m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 283.4 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 Myrtle Grove, 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: near the start (FL 24; FL 26 / West University Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 52.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 52.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Myrtle Grove, FL before the return drive.
