How far is Cape Canaveral, FL from Gainesville, FL?
The driving distance from Cape Canaveral, FL to Gainesville, FL is about 164.2 miles (264.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 31m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 135 miles (217.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 02m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 02h 31m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Lake County, Florida, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cape Canaveral and Gainesville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cape Canaveral and Gainesville.
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1
Start on Intermodal Gate
47 m · 16 sec · Intermodal Gate
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto George J King Boulevard
1.3 km · 2 min · George J King Boulevard
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3
Take the ramp slight right toward FL 528, SR A1A North: Terminals 5-10, Orlando
1647 ft · 40 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Bennett Causeway
8 mi · 10 min · Bennett Causeway
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5
Continue on Beachline Expressway
41.2 mi · 47 min · Beachline Expressway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward US 17, US 92, US 441
1428 ft · 35 sec
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Florida's Turnpike, Oсala, Miami
1.3 km · 2 min
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8
Continue on Orlando
1439 ft · 37 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Florida's Turnpike
53.3 mi · 57 min · Florida's Turnpike
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Florida's Turnpike
1281 ft · 16 sec · Florida's Turnpike
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11
Merge slight left
46.1 mi · 49 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward CR 234: Micanopy
1213 ft · 32 sec
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13
Turn right onto Southeast County Road 234
1.3 mi · 2 min · Southeast County Road 234
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14
Turn left
128 m · 15 sec
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15
Turn straight
8 mi · 10 min
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16
Turn right onto Southwest Williston Road
2889 ft · 1 min · Southwest Williston Road
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17
Turn left onto South Main Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · South Main Street
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18
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Main Street
28 m · 2 sec · South Main Street
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19
Exit the roundabout onto South Main Street
1317 ft · 32 sec · South Main Street
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20
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Main Street
54 m · 4 sec · South Main Street
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21
Exit the roundabout onto South Main Street
2512 ft · 1 min · South Main Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cape Canaveral and Gainesville.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Florida's Turnpike
Merge slight left onto Florida's Turnpike
53.3 mi · 00h 57m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Sunny leaving Cape Canaveral and Mostly Sunny near Gainesville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cape Canaveral to Gainesville?
The road trip is about 164.2 miles (264.3 km) and usually takes 02h 31m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Howey-in-the-Hills is a useful midpoint, sitting about 82 miles from Cape Canaveral and 82.2 miles from Gainesville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 135 miles (217.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.2 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:28 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.06 one way or $48.12 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Cape Canaveral and Mostly Sunny near Gainesville.
Stop Ideas Near Howey-in-the-Hills
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City of Tavares - City Hall
Minneola City Hall
Tavares Utility Billing
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Howey-in-the-Hills.
The Villages-Lady Lake, FL
Wildwood, Florida
Winter Park
Orlando Health/Amtrak
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cape Canaveral and Gainesville. Straight-line distance: 134.93 mi (217.15 km).
#1 Cape Canaveral
Cape at the Atlantic coast of Florida, United States
| Population | 10,427 |
| Coordinates | 28.4058400, -80.6047700 |
| Altitude | 3 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Gainesville
The third most populous city in Florida.
| Population | 135,004 |
| Coordinates | 29.6516300, -82.3248300 |
| Altitude | 54 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Main Street (-82.32501, 29.65163)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 264 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 17m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 20m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 02m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $24.06 | $48.12 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $26.66 | $53.31 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $28.40 | $56.79 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $25.23 | $50.46 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Florida · Apr 29, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.