Gainesville to Surfside is 332.4 miles and takes about 6h 16m via Florida's Turnpike, I 75, and US 441, with a fuel budget near $49 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, moving from the northern part of the state down towards the southern coast. Expect a predominantly highway experience for most of the 6 hours and 16 minutes, making it a straightforward, no-frills drive. With a recommended one-day duration, this route is ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground without needing an overnight stop.
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
166.2 miles from Gainesville, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 4m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
264.2 mi
4h 46m
I 75
46.2 mi
49m
US 441
8 mi
9m
South Main Street
2.5 mi
5m
Northeast 125th Street
1.7 mi
4m
I 95
1.7 mi
2m
Southeast County Road 234
1.4 mi
2m
Northeast 123rd Street
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 264.2 mi, about 4h 46m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 19 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~5,207 veh/hr typical
· worst 6,073
Quietest
2 AM
~284 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
18.3×
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 Surfside, 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
264 mi·4 hr 46 min·Florida's Turnpike
Exit 328Toward Florida's Turnpike South, OrlandoUse the slight left / straight lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I 95, US 441, SR 826 West
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 95, US 441
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward I 95 SouthUse the straight / slight left lanes.
18
Merge onto I 95
1.7 mi·2 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 10AToward SR 922: Northwest 125th StreetUse the slight right lane.
20
Turn left onto SR 922
0.7 mi·1 min·Northwest 125th Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
21
Continue on SR 922
1.7 mi·4 min·Northeast 125th Street
22
Continue on SR 922
0.1 mi·19 sec·North Miami Boulevard
23
Continue on SR 922
1.1 mi·2 min·Northeast 123rd Street
Use the left lane.
24
Continue on SR 922
0.8 mi·1 min·Broad Causeway
25
Continue on SR 922
1.0 mi·2 min·96th Street
26
Turn right onto SR A1A
0.5 mi·1 min·Harding Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Turn right onto 92nd Street
0.2 mi·41 sec·92nd Street
28
Turn left onto Carlyle Avenue
459 ft·20 sec·Carlyle Avenue
29
Arrive at destination
Carlyle Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour driving time, leaving Gainesville in the morning is your best bet to arrive in Surfside with daylight to spare. Since this is a single-day trip, you'll want to plan for just one stop. Consider a mid-drive break around the 3-hour mark to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $49 budget suggests efficient driving, but it's always wise to top off before embarking on the longest stretch of 264.2 miles on Florida's Turnpike. Ensure you have your preferred payment method ready for the Turnpike tolls.
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 166.2 miles from Gainesville, FL, or about 3h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 264.2 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 73 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 166.2 miles or 3h 4m 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
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Surfside, 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 332.4 miles and 6h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 73 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 Florida's Turnpike for about 264.2 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 326 — 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
6
323.3 mi into trip|~5h 55m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95, US 441
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 95, US 441
7
324.1 mi into trip|~5h 57m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 95 South
7
326 mi into trip|~6h in
Take the exit toward SR 922: Northwest 125th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 10A
Toward SR 922: Northwest 125th Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$50.32 one way
$100.64 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg116 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$55.21
$110.42
premium
$4.55
$59.54
$119.09
diesel
$4.80
$62.76
$125.53
Estimated Tolls: $18.49
Florida's Turnpike
(264.2 mi)$18.49
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
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$94–$119
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 116.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
99.7
1
$34.90
$15.96
Efficient EV
83.1
0
$29.09
$13.30
EV Truck/SUV
133
1
$46.54
$21.27
Gas CO2
116 kg
EV CO2
39 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 15, 2026
Origin
Gainesville, FL
Morning
in Gainesville on Sunday
Local time
11:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
92°F
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 0 to 12 mph37% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 15 at 4:19AM EDT until July 16 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 15 at 2:18AM EDT until July 15 at 7:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Destination
Surfside, FL
Morning
in Surfside on Sunday
Local time
11:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
94°F
Mostly Sunny
E 3 to 8 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 15 at 4:19AM EDT until July 16 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 15 at 2:18AM EDT until July 15 at 7:00PM EDT by NWS Miami 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
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 16m 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.
Biscayne National Park
National Park
Within sight of Miami, yet worlds away, Biscayne protects a rare combination of aquamarine waters, emerald islands, and fish-bejeweled coral reefs. Evidence of 10,000 years of human history is here to...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 332.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is almost entirely highway, with a 96% highway share. You'll spend the vast majority of your time on major roads, with the longest continuous stretch being 264.2 miles on Florida's Turnpike. Expect a significant amount of time cruising on this major toll road before transitioning to I 75 and US 441. The transition from highway to surface roads will likely occur near your destination, marking the end of the high-speed travel.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 264.2 mi on Florida's Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and I 75. 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 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 19 significant decision points across 332.4 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 323.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
178 ft2 ft
Total Climb
48 ft
Total Descent
224 ft
Highest Point
178 ft
Elevation Range
175 ft
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 Surfside, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike South and Orlando.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 16m. Total distance: 332.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 16m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 264.2 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $18.49 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.
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.
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 Surfside, 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. 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 323.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Biscayne National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Surfside, FL before the return drive.
