Lauderdale Lakes to Gainesville is 306.5 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 heads north through Florida, primarily on major highways. With a 98% highway share, expect a straightforward drive focused on covering ground efficiently. The route is well-suited for a single-day trip, allowing for a relatively early start and arrival by late afternoon. Plan for a single stop to break up the drive and refuel.
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
153.3 miles from Lauderdale Lakes, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
245.3 mi
4h 25m
I 75
46.1 mi
49m
US 441
8 mi
9m
South Main Street
2.4 mi
4m
Southeast County Road 234
1.3 mi
2m
State Road 7
1.1 mi
2m
Southwest Williston Road
0.5 mi
1m
West Commercial Boulevard
0.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 245.3 mi, about 4h 25m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~2,482 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,683
Quietest
2 AM
~405 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.1×
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 Lauderdale Lakes, FL and Gainesville, FL.
1
Start on Northwest 44th Terrace
219 ft·11 sec·Northwest 44th Terrace
2
Turn right onto Northwest 33rd Street
0.1 mi·26 sec·Northwest 33rd Street
3
Continue on Northwest 43rd Avenue
0.2 mi·55 sec·Northwest 43rd Avenue
4
Turn right onto Northwest 36th Street
0.1 mi·25 sec·Northwest 36th Street
5
Turn slight left onto Northwest 37th Street
442 ft·21 sec·Northwest 37th Street
6
Turn left onto US 441
1.1 mi·2 min·State Road 7
7
Turn left onto SR 870
0.4 mi·1 min·West Commercial Boulevard
Use the left lane.
8
Take the exit
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward Miami, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward Florida's Turnpike North, OrlandoUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
245 mi·4 hr 25 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto Florida's Turnpike
0.2 mi·15 sec·Florida's Turnpike
Toward I 75 North: OcalaUse the straight lane.
12
Merge onto I 75
46 mi·49 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 374Toward CR 234: MicanopyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn right onto CR 234
1.3 mi·2 min·Southeast County Road 234
15
Turn left
421 ft·15 sec
Use the left lane.
16
Turn straight onto US 441
8.0 mi·9 min·US 441
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn right onto FL 331
0.5 mi·1 min·Southwest Williston Road
Use the right lane.
18
Turn left onto CR 329
1.6 mi·2 min·South Main Street
19
Enter roundabout onto CR 329
92 ft·1 sec·South Main Street
20
Continue on CR 329
0.2 mi·32 sec·South Main Street
21
Enter roundabout onto CR 329
177 ft·3 sec·South Main Street
22
Continue on CR 329
0.5 mi·1 min·South Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Arrive at destination
CR 329
Trip Plan
Starting your drive from Lauderdale Lakes early in the morning, around 8 AM, will give you ample time to reach Gainesville comfortably. The longest stretch without a major break is 245.3 miles on Florida's Turnpike, so plan your single stop strategically around the halfway point to refuel and stretch. Given the 5h 40m estimated duration, this is a manageable one-day trip. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach your destination, as services can become less frequent on the final highway segments before entering urban areas.
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 153.3 miles from Lauderdale Lakes, FL, or about 2h 49m 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 67 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 153.3 miles or 2h 49m 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 36m
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 Lauderdale Lakes, 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 Lauderdale Lakes, FL
This is one driving day of about 306.5 miles and 5h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 miles from Lauderdale Lakes, 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.1 and 294 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.1 mi into trip|~5m in
Take the exit toward Miami, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Miami, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike
8
2.2 mi into trip|~5m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Florida's Turnpike North, Orlando
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Florida's Turnpike North, Orlando
5
2.5 mi into trip|~6m 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.
7
247.6 mi into trip|~4h 32m 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
7
294 mi into trip|~5h 21m 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
$46.40 one way
$92.79 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg107 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$50.91
$101.82
premium
$4.55
$54.90
$109.81
diesel
$4.80
$57.87
$115.75
Estimated Tolls: $17.15
Florida's Turnpike
(245.1 mi)$17.15
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
$46
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: 107.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
92
1
$32.18
$14.71
Efficient EV
76.6
0
$26.82
$12.26
EV Truck/SUV
122.6
1
$42.91
$19.62
Gas CO2
107 kg
EV CO2
36 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
Lauderdale Lakes, FL
Late night
in Lauderdale Lakes on Monday
Local time
3:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 6 mph17% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Gainesville, FL
Late night
in Gainesville on Monday
Local time
3:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Partly Cloudy
SE 3 mph2% chanceLive 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
7 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is almost entirely a highway drive, with 98% of the 306.5 miles on major roads like Florida's Turnpike and I-75. You'll experience a long stretch of 245.3 miles on Florida's Turnpike, which means consistent cruising and frequent exits. Surface roads will only become a factor as you approach Gainesville. Expect a steady flow of traffic and typical highway amenities along this segment.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 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?
7/10
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 2.1 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 306.5 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 2.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.5 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 40m. Total distance: 306.5 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%). 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 $17.15 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 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.5 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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 Gainesville, FL before the return drive.
