Riviera Beach to Gainesville is 267 miles and takes about 4 hours 57 minutes via Florida's Turnpike and I-75, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, moving from the southeast coast inland towards the north-central part of the state. Expect a predominantly highway experience, making it a straightforward drive for a single day. The route is efficient, allowing you to cover significant ground with minimal time investment, ideal if you're looking for a direct transit between these two Florida locations.
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
133.5 miles from Riviera Beach, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 29m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
201.5 mi
3h 35m
I 75
46.1 mi
49m
US 441
8 mi
9m
Bee Line Highway
2.4 mi
3m
South Main Street
2.4 mi
4m
Dr Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
2.3 mi
4m
Southeast County Road 234
1.3 mi
2m
West 13th Street
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 201.5 mi, about 3h 35m
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 Riviera Beach, FL and Gainesville, FL.
1
Start on West 15th Street
0.2 mi·56 sec·West 15th Street
2
Turn left onto Avenue H
0.1 mi·29 sec·Avenue H
3
Turn right onto West 13th Street
0.6 mi·1 min·West 13th Street
4
Turn left onto Australian Avenue
0.3 mi·41 sec·Australian Avenue
5
Turn right onto FL 710
2.3 mi·4 min·Dr Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
6
Continue on FL 710
2.4 mi·3 min·Bee Line Highway
7
Turn right onto North Jog Road
0.2 mi·24 sec·North Jog Road
8
Take the ramp
503 ft·12 sec
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll
9
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·14 sec·this road
Toward Florida's Turnpike North, Florida's Turnpike South
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll North, OrlandoUse the straight lane.
11
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
201 mi·3 hr 35 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
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.
13
Merge onto I 75
46 mi·49 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 374Toward CR 234: MicanopyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn right onto CR 234
1.3 mi·2 min·Southeast County Road 234
16
Turn left
421 ft·15 sec
Use the left lane.
17
Turn straight onto US 441
8.0 mi·9 min·US 441
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn right onto FL 331
0.5 mi·1 min·Southwest Williston Road
Use the right lane.
19
Turn left onto CR 329
1.6 mi·2 min·South Main Street
20
Enter roundabout onto CR 329
92 ft·1 sec·South Main Street
21
Continue on CR 329
0.2 mi·32 sec·South Main Street
22
Enter roundabout onto CR 329
177 ft·3 sec·South Main Street
23
Continue on CR 329
0.5 mi·1 min·South Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Arrive at destination
CR 329
Trip Plan
Given the roughly 5-hour drive time, starting your trip from Riviera Beach in the morning is a good strategy to arrive in Gainesville with plenty of daylight. While the route is manageable in one day, you have flexibility since it's not excessively long. Plan for one stop to break up the drive; the longest continuous stretch is over 200 miles on Florida's Turnpike, so a break around that point would be logical. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially when transitioning between the Turnpike and I-75, as services can be spaced out on these major roads.
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 133.5 miles from Riviera Beach, FL, or about 2h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 201.5 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 59 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.5 miles or 2h 29m 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
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 Riviera Beach, 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 Riviera Beach, FL
This is one driving day of about 267 miles and 4h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Riviera Beach, 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 201.5 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 6.1 and 254.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
6.1 mi into trip|~11m in
Take the ramp toward Florida's Turnpike Toll
Navigation decision point
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll
8
6.3 mi into trip|~12m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Florida's Turnpike Toll North, Orlando
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll North, Orlando
5
6.8 mi into trip|~13m 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
208.1 mi into trip|~3h 49m 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
254.4 mi into trip|~4h 38m 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
$40.42 one way
$80.84 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$44.35
$88.70
premium
$4.55
$47.83
$95.66
diesel
$4.80
$50.41
$100.83
Estimated Tolls: $14.09
Florida's Turnpike
(201.2 mi)$14.09
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
$40
Tolls
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.1
0
$28.04
$12.82
Efficient EV
66.8
0
$23.36
$10.68
EV Truck/SUV
106.8
1
$37.38
$17.09
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 18, 2026
Origin
Riviera Beach, FL
Evening
in Riviera Beach on Monday
Local time
8:07 PM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Partly Cloudy
S 7 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 17 at 3:45AM EDT until July 18 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Destination
Gainesville, FL
Evening
in Gainesville on Monday
Local time
8:07 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 2 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 17 at 3:45AM EDT until July 18 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Tallahassee 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
4 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
4h 57m 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 drive is almost entirely on highways, with 96% of it being high-speed travel. You'll spend the majority of your time on Florida's Turnpike, covering a continuous stretch of 201.5 miles before transitioning to I-75 and US 441. The high highway share means you'll encounter frequent exits and merging traffic as you navigate between these major arteries. This segment is characterized by consistent travel speeds and efficient progress.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 201.5 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 6.1 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 19 significant decision points across 267 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 6.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 6.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.8 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Riviera Beach is a city in Palm Beach County, Florida. It is a harbor city located along the shores of the Atlantic Ocean in Southeast Florida. The 75 degree weather is year around and makes the beaches great for sporting events.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 57m. Total distance: 267 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 201.5 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $14.09 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 6.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 6.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.8 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Gainesville, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
