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Trip from Palm Springs, 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

5h 7m

Distance

274.7 mi

442 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$44

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 54m ★
6 AM
5h 7m
8 AM
5h 34m
10 AM
5h 17m
12 PM
5h 14m
3 PM
5h 18m
5 PM
5h 33m
8 PM
4h 59m

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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village in Florida, United States

Palm Springs, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 275-mile drive from Palm Springs, Florida, to Gainesville, Florida, is designed as a single-day trip, taking approximately 5 hours and 7 minutes to complete. You'll primarily be on Florida's Turnpike and I-75, with about 95% of the journey on highways. Budget around $44 for fuel, and expect a straightforward, highway-focused experience. This route is ideal for getting from point A to point B efficiently within the state of Florida, offering a consistent pace for most of the journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 208 miles on Florida's Turnpike, so plan your stops accordingly.

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

137.3 miles from Palm Springs, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 34m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Florida's Turnpike 208 mi 3h 43m
I 75 46.1 mi 49m
US 441 8 mi 9m
South Military Trail 4.8 mi 9m
South Main Street 2.4 mi 4m
Okeechobee Boulevard 1.6 mi 2m
Southeast County Road 234 1.3 mi 2m
Park Lane 0.8 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Florida's Turnpike — 208 mi, about 3h 43m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Palm Springs, FL and Gainesville, FL.

1

Start on Tamoshanter Drive

145 ft · 11 sec · Tamoshanter Drive
2

Turn left onto Greenbrier Drive

0.3 mi · 43 sec · Greenbrier Drive
3

Continue on Park Lane

0.8 mi · 1 min · Park Lane
4

At end of road, turn right onto FL 809

4.8 mi · 9 min · South Military Trail
5

Turn left onto FL 704

1.6 mi · 2 min · Okeechobee Boulevard
6

Take the ramp

356 ft · 8 sec
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll Use the right lane.
7

Continue on this road

139 ft · 3 sec · this road
Toward Florida's Turnpike Use the right lane.
8

Continue on this road

363 ft · 8 sec · this road
Toward Florida's Turnpike
9

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Toward Florida's Turnpike North Use the slight right lane.
10

Merge onto Florida's Turnpike

208 mi · 3 hr 42 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: Ocala Use 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 374 Toward CR 234: Micanopy Use 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

For this 5-hour, 7-minute drive, leaving in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight and allow for a comfortable arrival. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 208 miles, you have flexibility in pacing your breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially on the longer stretches of Florida's Turnpike, and plan a stop before you hit your reserve. The $44 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always check current prices. Given the highway focus, ensure your vehicle is in good condition for sustained driving.

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 137.3 miles from Palm Springs, FL, or about 2h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 208 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 60 miles or 1h 11m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 137.3 miles or 2h 34m 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 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 Palm Springs, 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 Palm Springs, FL

This is one driving day of about 274.7 miles and 5h 7m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Palm Springs, 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 208 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in and county seat of Orange County, Florida, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Orlando, FL

137 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

Port Saint Lucie, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 60 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Orlando, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 137.3 miles from Palm Springs, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Florida's Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 208 miles.

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 Coffee Stop

Kava Gator Coffee Shop

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Gainesville, Florida

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route mile 274.7

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

Susana's Cafe - Kissimmee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 156.9

Kissimmee, Florida

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+14072012627

Visit website

Café Barista - Kissimmee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 156.9

Kissimmee, Florida

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+14079351384

Visit website

🏆 The Gathering Cafe Downtown Ocala

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 235.4

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 274.7

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 274.7

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 274.7

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 274.7

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 274.7

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

Visit website

Pascal's Coffeehouse

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 274.7

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 274.7

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+13523771700

Visit website

Piccolo Coffee Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 176.6

Winter Garden, Florida

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

Visit website

EVmatch Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 274.7

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+16508228157

Visit website

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 215.8

Wildwood, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13523523155

Visit website

EvGateway Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 255

Reddick, Florida

Hours: 5 am–1 pm

+19499452000

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 274.7

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 274.7

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 274.7

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 274.7

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 274.7

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Depot Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 274.7

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 274.7

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+13523718001

Visit website

White Gator Swamp

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 156.9

Orlando, Florida

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+14078555496

Visit website

Indian Creek Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 19.6

Jupiter, Florida

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+15617412400

Visit website

Scott Springs Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 235.4

Ocala, Florida

Hours: 9 am–7 pm

+13523685517

Visit website

Cox Science Center and Aquarium

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

West Palm Beach, Florida

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+15618321988

Visit website

Nehrling Gardens

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 176.6

Gotha, Florida

Hours: 10 am–2 pm

+14074459977

Visit website

Riverbend Park

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 19.6

Jupiter, Florida

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+15617411359

Visit website

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 0 and 262.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Greenbrier Drive

Turn left onto Greenbrier Drive

Navigation decision point

5
1.1 mi into trip | ~2m in | FL 809 / South Military Trail

At end of road, turn right onto FL 809 / South Military Trail

Navigation decision point

8
7.6 mi into trip | ~15m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Florida's Turnpike North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward Florida's Turnpike North
7
215.7 mi into trip | ~3h 58m 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
262.1 mi into trip | ~4h 48m 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

$43.72 one way

$87.45 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 96 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.40 $47.56 $95.13
premium $4.72 $51.08 $102.16
diesel $5.61 $60.65 $121.30

Estimated Tolls: $14.55

Florida's Turnpike (207.8 mi) $14.55

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

$44

Tolls

$15

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$83–$108

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 96.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 82.4 1 $28.84 $13.19
Efficient EV 68.7 0 $24.04 $10.99
EV Truck/SUV 109.9 1 $38.46 $17.58

Gas CO2

96 kg

EV CO2

32 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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Palm Springs, FL

Late night in Palm Springs on Sunday

Local time

2:03 AM

EDT

Current temp

68°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Gainesville, FL

Late night in Gainesville on Sunday

Local time

2:03 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

13 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

5h 7m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-centric drive for the vast majority of this 275-mile trip, with 95% of the route utilizing major highways like Florida's Turnpike and I-75. The character is predominantly that of a fast-paced, efficient transit. The longest continuous segment you'll encounter is 208 miles on Florida's Turnpike, meaning you can cover significant ground before needing a break. While not a scenic tour, this route prioritizes getting you to your destination with minimal fuss, characterized by consistent speeds and straightforward navigation.

95% 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: 208 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 early in the drive near Greenbrier Drive.

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 17 significant decision points across 274.7 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 (Greenbrier Drive): Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (FL 809 / South Military Trail): Navigation decision point; at 7.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

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 5h 7m. Total distance: 274.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 208 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $14.55 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: near the start (Greenbrier Drive): Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (FL 809 / South Military Trail): Navigation decision point; at 7.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 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.

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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