Gainesville to Tamarac is 309 miles and takes about 5h 43m via Florida's Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $54 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, heading south from the northern part of the state down towards South Florida. It's a pretty straightforward drive, mostly on major highways, making it a solid option if you're looking for a direct route. Plan on about a half-day of driving, so you can get on the road mid-morning and still arrive with plenty of daylight left.
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
154.5 miles from Gainesville, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
245.3 mi
4h 24m
I 75
46.2 mi
49m
US 441
8 mi
9m
West Commercial Boulevard
2.7 mi
4m
South Main Street
2.5 mi
5m
Southeast County Road 234
1.4 mi
2m
North University Drive
1.3 mi
2m
Southwest Williston Road
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 245.3 mi, about 4h 24m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
11 AM
~2,820 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,734
Quietest
2 AM
~427 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 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 Tamarac, 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
245 mi·4 hr 24 min·Florida's Turnpike
Exit 328Toward Florida's Turnpike South, OrlandoUse the slight left / straight lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 62Toward SR 870: Commercial BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork
310 ft·9 sec
Toward SR 870 West: Tamarac, SunriseUse the right lane.
17
Merge onto SR 870
2.7 mi·4 min·West Commercial Boulevard
Use the right lane.
18
Turn right onto SR 817
1.3 mi·2 min·North University Drive
Use the right lane.
19
Turn right onto Brookwood Boulevard
0.2 mi·33 sec·Brookwood Boulevard
Use the right lane.
20
Arrive at destination
Brookwood Boulevard
Trip Plan
For this 5h 43m drive, leaving Gainesville after the morning rush, perhaps around 9 or 10 AM, should allow you to reach Tamarac by late afternoon. Since it's a single-day trip, you won't need to break it up, but consider a stop along Florida's Turnpike for a stretch and to refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 245.3-mile stretch on the Turnpike, as services can sometimes be further apart on long highway segments. The $54 fuel estimate should help you budget accordingly.
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 154.5 miles from Gainesville, FL, or about 2h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 245.3 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 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 154.5 miles or 2h 51m 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 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tamarac, 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 miles and 5h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 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 245.3 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 308.8 — 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
304.1 mi into trip|~5h 33m in
Take the exit toward SR 870: Commercial Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 62
Toward SR 870: Commercial Boulevard
8
304.8 mi into trip|~5h 35m in
Keep slight right at fork toward SR 870 West: Tamarac, Sunrise
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward SR 870 West: Tamarac, Sunrise
6
308.8 mi into trip|~5h 42m in|Brookwood Boulevard
Turn right onto Brookwood Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.78 one way
$93.55 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg108 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$51.33
$102.65
premium
$4.55
$55.35
$110.70
diesel
$4.80
$58.35
$116.69
Estimated Tolls: $17.17
Florida's Turnpike
(245.3 mi)$17.17
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
$47
Tolls
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$89–$114
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 108.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
92.7
1
$32.45
$14.83
Efficient EV
77.3
0
$27.04
$12.36
EV Truck/SUV
123.6
1
$43.26
$19.78
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.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Gainesville, FL
Morning
in Gainesville on Sunday
Local time
11:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
95°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
W 7 mph87% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 3:05PM EDT by NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin FL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 3:04PM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Destination
Tamarac, FL
Morning
in Tamarac on Sunday
Local time
11:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
95°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
S 9 mph63% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 3:05PM EDT by NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin FL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 3:04PM 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 43m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a heavily highway-oriented drive, with 97% of the route on major roads. You'll spend most of your time on Florida's Turnpike, covering a continuous stretch of 245.3 miles. Expect a consistent cruising experience with frequent exits as you approach and pass through more populated areas. Only a small portion of the drive will involve surface streets as you reach your destination.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 245.3 mi on Florida's Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and I 75. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near CR 329 / South Main Street.
Driving Effort6/10
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 309 miles you will encounter 15 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: 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 304.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
235 ft9 ft
Total Climb
170 ft
Total Descent
339 ft
Highest Point
235 ft
~88.3 mi in
Elevation Range
226 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 Tamarac, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike South and Orlando.
Tamarac is a city of 67,000 people (2019) in Broward County, Florida. It is a mostly residential suburb of Fort Lauderdale.
Development began in the early 1960s. The city was named after the Tamarac Country Club in nearby Oakland Park.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 43m. Total distance: 309 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 245.3 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $17.17 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.
Yes — we found about 30 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 Tamarac, 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 30 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 304.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Tamarac, FL before the return drive.
