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Trip from Wellington, FL to Gainesville, FL

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 6m

Distance

276.6 mi

445 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 41 min
4 AM
4h 53m ★
6 AM
5h 7m
8 AM
5h 34m
10 AM
5h 16m
12 PM
5h 14m
3 PM
5h 18m
5 PM
5h 32m
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 Palm Beach County, Florida, United States

Wellington, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Planning a trip from Wellington, Florida, to Gainesville, Florida? This 276.6-mile drive will take you about 5 hours and 6 minutes, making it a manageable one-day excursion. You'll be spending 96% of your time on highways, primarily utilizing Florida's Turnpike and I-75. With an estimated fuel cost of $44, this route offers a straightforward journey through the heart of Florida. The highway-focused profile means you can expect efficient travel, so consider leaving early to maximize your day in Gainesville.

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

138.3 miles from Wellington, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 33m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Florida's Turnpike 210.6 mi 3h 45m
I 75 46.1 mi 49m
US 441 8 mi 9m
Southern Boulevard 5.1 mi 8m
South Main Street 2.4 mi 4m
Forest Hill Boulevard 1.6 mi 3m
Southeast County Road 234 1.3 mi 2m
Southwest Williston Road 0.5 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Florida's Turnpike — 210.6 mi, about 3h 45m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Montauk Drive

281 ft · 14 sec · Montauk Drive
2

Turn right onto Westhampton Circle

0.1 mi · 25 sec · Westhampton Circle
3

Turn left onto Forest Hill Boulevard

1.6 mi · 3 min · Forest Hill Boulevard
4

Take the ramp

268 ft · 7 sec
5

Merge onto US 98; US 441; FL 80

5.1 mi · 8 min · Southern Boulevard
Use the right lane.
6

Turn left

0.3 mi · 44 sec
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll North, Orlando Use the left lane.
7

Merge onto Florida's Turnpike

210 mi · 3 hr 45 min · Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

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.
9

Merge onto I 75

46 mi · 49 min · I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Exit 374 Toward CR 234: Micanopy Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Turn right onto CR 234

1.3 mi · 2 min · Southeast County Road 234
12

Turn left

421 ft · 15 sec
Use the left lane.
13

Turn straight onto US 441

8.0 mi · 9 min · US 441
Use the straight lane.
14

Turn right onto FL 331

0.5 mi · 1 min · Southwest Williston Road
Use the right lane.
15

Turn left onto CR 329

1.6 mi · 2 min · South Main Street
16

Enter roundabout onto CR 329

92 ft · 1 sec · South Main Street
17

Continue on CR 329

0.2 mi · 32 sec · South Main Street
18

Enter roundabout onto CR 329

177 ft · 3 sec · South Main Street
19

Continue on CR 329

0.5 mi · 1 min · South Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
20

Arrive at destination

CR 329

Trip Plan

For this 5-hour, 6-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Wellington to avoid potential traffic and make the most of your day in Gainesville. You'll encounter just one recommended stop, so plan your breaks strategically, perhaps after the longest stretch on Florida's Turnpike. With a manageable distance, you have flexibility, but keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is always wise, especially with the $44 estimated cost. A specific tip: be aware that I-75 can experience congestion as you get closer to Gainesville, so factor that into your arrival time.

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 138.3 miles from Wellington, FL, or about 2h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 210.6 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 61 miles or 1h 10m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 138.3 miles or 2h 33m 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 8m

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 Wellington, 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 Wellington, FL

This is one driving day of about 276.6 miles and 5h 6m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Wellington, 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 210.6 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

138 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.

Popular next leg

Orlando, FL to Gainesville, FL

111.3 mi · 2h 7m

Pacing Suggestions

Port Saint Lucie, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 61 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Orlando, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 138.3 miles from Wellington, 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 210.6 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 276.6

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, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 158.1

Kissimmee, Florida

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+14072012627

Visit website

Café Barista - Kissimmee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 158.1

Kissimmee, Florida

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+14079351384

Visit website

Kava Gator Coffee Shop

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route mile 276.6

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 276.6

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 276.6

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 276.6

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 276.6

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 276.6

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 276.6

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+13523771700

Visit website

Opus Coffee - UF Health East Tower

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 276.6

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: 6:20 am–8 pm

Visit website

EVmatch Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 276.6

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+16508228157

Visit website

EvGateway Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 256.9

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 276.6

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 217.4

Wildwood, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13523523155

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 276.6

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 276.6

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 276.6

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 276.6

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 276.6

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 276.6

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+13523718001

Visit website

White Gator Swamp

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 158.1

Orlando, Florida

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+14078555496

Visit website

Peaceful Waters Sanctuary

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Wellington, Florida

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+15617914005

Visit website

Scott Springs Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 237.1

Ocala, Florida

Hours: 9 am–7 pm

+13523685517

Visit website

Nehrling Gardens

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 177.8

Gotha, Florida

Hours: 10 am–2 pm

+14074459977

Visit website

Indian Creek Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 19.8

Jupiter, Florida

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+15617412400

Visit website

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 0.1 and 264.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Westhampton Circle

Turn right onto Westhampton Circle

Navigation decision point

5
1.8 mi into trip | ~4m in | US 98; US 441; FL 80 / Southern Boulevard

Merge onto US 98; US 441; FL 80 / Southern Boulevard

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

Use the right lane.
8
7 mi into trip | ~12m in

Turn left toward Florida's Turnpike Toll North, Orlando

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left lane. Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll North, Orlando
7
217.7 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
264.1 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

$44.03 one way

$88.05 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 97 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.40 $47.89 $95.79
premium $4.72 $51.43 $102.86
diesel $5.61 $61.07 $122.14

Estimated Tolls: $14.73

Florida's Turnpike (210.4 mi) $14.73

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

$84–$109

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 96.8 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 83 1 $29.04 $13.28
Efficient EV 69.2 0 $24.20 $11.06
EV Truck/SUV 110.6 1 $38.72 $17.70

Gas CO2

97 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

Wellington, FL

Night in Wellington on Saturday

Local time

10:45 PM

EDT

Current temp

78°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Gainesville, FL

Night in Gainesville on Saturday

Local time

10:45 PM

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

3 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 6m 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?

This is largely a highway-focused drive, with 96% of the 276.6 miles on major roadways like Florida's Turnpike and I-75. Expect long stretches of consistent speed, including one uninterrupted segment of 210.6 miles on Florida's Turnpike. While primarily interstate, the route does incorporate US 441, offering a slight variation in scenery and pace as you approach your destination. The character is one of efficient transit rather than winding scenic byways.

96% 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: 210.6 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 0.1 miles in near Westhampton Circle.

Driving Effort 6/10

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 276.6 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 0.1 miles (Westhampton Circle): Navigation decision point; at 1.8 miles (US 98; US 441; FL 80 / Southern Boulevard): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 7 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 6m. Total distance: 276.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 6m 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 210.6 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $14.73 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 0.1 miles (Westhampton Circle): Navigation decision point; at 1.8 miles (US 98; US 441; FL 80 / Southern Boulevard): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 7 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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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