Trip from Lake Alfred, FL to Gainesville, FL

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 38m

Distance

125.4 mi

202 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min

4 AM

2h 28m ★

6 AM

2h 39m

8 AM

3h 0m

10 AM

2h 46m

12 PM

2h 44m

3 PM

2h 47m

5 PM

2h 59m

8 PM

2h 33m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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city in Polk County, Florida, United States of America

Lake Alfred, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Traveling from Lake Alfred to Gainesville covers 125.4 miles of Florida terrain, a journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 38 minutes. Because this is a straightforward, highway-focused drive, it works perfectly as a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $21 on fuel for the trip, making it an affordable option for a quick getaway. You will primarily utilize Florida’s Turnpike, Commonwealth Avenue North, and I-75 to reach your destination. Whether you are heading north for business or a visit, this route offers a predictable path across the state.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

62.7 miles from Lake Alfred, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 26m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 75	46.1 mi	49m
Commonwealth Avenue North	26.5 mi	34m
Florida's Turnpike	19.1 mi	20m
US 441	8 mi	9m
Howey Road	5.2 mi	7m
CR 557A	4.6 mi	8m
North Buena Vista Drive	3.5 mi	5m
US 27	2.8 mi	3m

Longest stretch: I 75 — 46.1 mi, about 49m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lake Alfred, FL and Gainesville, FL.

Start on East Haines Boulevard

0.4 mi · 1 min · East Haines Boulevard

Turn right onto US 17; US 92

477 ft · 19 sec · Lake Shore Way

Turn left onto CR 557

0.1 mi · 13 sec · Pomelo Street

Continue on CR 557

3.5 mi · 5 min · North Buena Vista Drive

Turn left onto CR 557A

169 ft · 3 sec · CR 557A

Turn right onto CR 557A

4.6 mi · 8 min · CR 557A

Continue on FL 559

1.8 mi · 2 min · Broadway Boulevard Southeast

Turn right onto FL 33

5.3 mi · 7 min · Commonwealth Avenue North

Enter roundabout onto FL 33

131 ft · 2 sec · Commonwealth Avenue North

Continue on FL 33

21 mi · 27 min · Commonwealth Avenue North

Turn left onto FL 50; FL 33

0.3 mi · 54 sec · Broad Street

Turn right onto FL 19

5.2 mi · 7 min · Howey Road

Use the left lane.

Turn left onto Independence Boulevard

1.7 mi · 4 min · Independence Boulevard

At end of road, turn left onto US 27

2.8 mi · 3 min · US 27

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec

Toward Florida's Turnpike North: Ocala

Continue on this road

0.4 mi · 48 sec · this road

Toward Florida's Turnpike North: Ocala

Merge onto Florida's Turnpike

19 mi · 20 min · Florida's Turnpike

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto Florida's Turnpike

0.2 mi · 15 sec · Florida's Turnpike

Toward I 75 North: Ocala Use the straight lane.

Merge onto I 75

46 mi · 49 min · I 75

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec

Exit 374 Toward CR 234: Micanopy Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn right onto CR 234

1.3 mi · 2 min · Southeast County Road 234

Turn left

421 ft · 15 sec

Use the left lane.

Turn straight onto US 441

8.0 mi · 9 min · US 441

Use the straight lane.

Turn right onto FL 331

0.5 mi · 1 min · Southwest Williston Road

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto CR 329

1.6 mi · 2 min · South Main Street

Enter roundabout onto CR 329

92 ft · 1 sec · South Main Street

Continue on CR 329

0.2 mi · 32 sec · South Main Street

Enter roundabout onto CR 329

177 ft · 3 sec · South Main Street

Continue on CR 329

0.5 mi · 1 min · South Main Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Arrive at destination

CR 329

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 2-hour and 38-minute drive, plan to leave early to avoid potential peak-hour congestion on the major interstates. Since the itinerary includes one recommended stop, use that time strategically to stretch your legs and refresh before tackling the remaining distance. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the longer segments to ensure you stay within your $21 travel budget. Given the short duration, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your personal schedule rather than worrying about a rigid, multi-day itinerary. A helpful tip for this specific route is to monitor traffic patterns on I-75 before you depart Lake Alfred, as this segment represents the bulk of your time on the road.

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.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 62.7 miles from Lake Alfred, FL, or about 1h 26m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.1 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 28 miles or 40m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 62.7 miles or 1h 26m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 9m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gainesville, FL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Lake Alfred, 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 Lake Alfred, FL

This is one driving day of about 125.4 miles and 2h 38m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Lake Alfred, 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 75 for about 46.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Lake County, Florida, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Groveland, FL

63 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

Clermont, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Wildwood, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 62.7 miles from Lake Alfred, 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

🏆 The Gathering Cafe Downtown Ocala

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ocala, Florida

Later in the drive, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 89.6

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+13524219810

Visit website

Top Coffee Stop

Kava Gator Coffee Shop

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Gainesville, Florida

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route mile 125.4

Hours: 7 am–11 pm

+13522449942

Visit website

Cafe THCA

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Gainesville, Florida

0.3 mi

Brew & Root Kava Cafe

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Gainesville, Florida

0.4 mi

🏆 The Gathering Cafe Downtown Ocala

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 89.6

Ocala, Florida

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+13524219810

Visit website

Kava Gator Coffee Shop

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route mile 125.4

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: 7 am–11 pm

+13522449942

Visit website

Cafe THCA

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 125.4

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: 9 am–10 pm

+13522348090

Visit website

Brew & Root Kava Cafe

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 125.4

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: 9 am–1 pm

+13527741308

Visit website

lowbar coffee + skateboarding

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 125.4

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

Visit website

Daydreamer Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 125.4

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

Visit website

Castro's Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 9

Polk City, Florida

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+13524670378

Visit website

Pascal's Coffeehouse

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 125.4

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+13523775480

Visit website

Coffee Culture

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 125.4

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+13523771700

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 89.6

Ocala, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

EVmatch Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 125.4

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+16508228157

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 125.4

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 89.6

Ocala, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 125.4

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 71.7

Oxford, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13527480449

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 125.4

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

2.6 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 62.7

Wildwood, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887518560

Visit website

Depot Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 125.4

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: 6:30 am–11:30 pm

+13523938510

Visit website

Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 125.4

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+13523718001

Visit website

Scott Springs Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 89.6

Ocala, Florida

Hours: 9 am–7 pm

+13523685517

Visit website

Ocala Downtown Square

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 89.6

Ocala, Florida

Tuscawilla Art Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 89.6

Ocala, Florida

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+13526298447

Visit website

Tuscawilla Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 89.6

Ocala, Florida

+13523685517

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 21

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 112.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0.5 mi into trip | ~1m in | CR 557 / Pomelo Street

Turn left onto CR 557 / Pomelo Street

Navigation decision point

37.3 mi into trip | ~53m in | FL 19 / Howey Road

Turn right onto FL 19 / Howey Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

47.6 mi into trip | ~1h 10m in | Florida's Turnpike

Merge onto Florida's Turnpike

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

66.5 mi into trip | ~1h 30m in | Florida's Turnpike

Keep slight left at fork onto Florida's Turnpike toward I 75 North: Ocala

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane. Toward I 75 North: Ocala

112.8 mi into trip | ~2h 20m in

Take the exit toward CR 234: Micanopy

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 374 Toward CR 234: Micanopy

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$19.96 one way

$39.92 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 44 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.40	$21.71	$43.43
premium	$4.72	$23.32	$46.63
diesel	$5.61	$27.69	$55.37

Estimated Tolls: $1.32

Florida's Turnpike (18.9 mi) $1.32

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

$20

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$46–$71

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 43.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	37.6	$13.17	$6.02
Efficient EV	31.4	$10.97	$5.02
EV Truck/SUV	50.2	$17.56	$8.03

Gas CO2

44 kg

EV CO2

15 kg (66% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Lake Alfred, FL

Late night in Lake Alfred on Sunday

Local time

3:50 AM

EDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Gainesville, FL

Late night in Gainesville on Sunday

Local time

3:50 AM

EDT

Current temp

81°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

19 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 38m 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?

With 61% of the journey spent on highways, this trip is designed for efficiency rather than winding backroads. You will settle into a steady rhythm behind the wheel, particularly during the longest uninterrupted stretch of 46.1 miles along I-75. The transition from the local streets of Lake Alfred to these high-speed corridors defines the character of the drive. It is a functional, interstate-heavy experience that prioritizes speed and directness over technical maneuvers. Expect a consistent pace as you transition between the various main roads that connect these two Florida hubs.

61% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 46.1 mi on I 75.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Commonwealth Avenue North. 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 557 / Pomelo 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 21 significant decision points across 125.4 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 557 / Pomelo Street): Navigation decision point; at 37.3 miles (FL 19 / Howey Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 47.6 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Lake Alfred, FL and Gainesville, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike North: Ocala and Cr 234: Micanopy.

Florida's Turnpike North: Ocala

47.1 mi in | ~1h 9m

Cr 234: Micanopy

112.8 mi in | ~2h 20m

About the Cities

Arriving in Gainesville, FL

Full guide →

Gainesville is in North Central Florida. It is home to the University of Florida, and Santa Fe College.

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 38m. Total distance: 125.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (61%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 46.1 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $1.32 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 Gainesville, 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.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Gainesville, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Gainesville, FL to Lake Alfred, FL

Plan the drive back the other way.

126 mi 2h 38m

Explore more options from Lake Alfred, FL or browse trips ending in Gainesville, FL.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse FL road trips.

Trip from Lake Alfred, FL to Gainesville, FL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

🏆 The Gathering Cafe Downtown Ocala

Kava Gator Coffee Shop

🏆 The Gathering Cafe Downtown Ocala

Kava Gator Coffee Shop

Cafe THCA

Brew & Root Kava Cafe

lowbar coffee + skateboarding

Daydreamer Cafe

Castro's Café

Pascal's Coffeehouse

Coffee Culture

Tesla Supercharger

EVmatch Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

Tesla Destination Charger

Blink Charging Station

Shell Recharge Charging Station

Depot Park

Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention

Scott Springs Park

Ocala Downtown Square

Tuscawilla Art Park

Tuscawilla Park

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Lake Alfred, FL

Gainesville, FL

Same local time

19 degrees warmer at arrival

2h 38m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Arriving in Gainesville, FL

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

How do I pay the tolls on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

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