How far is Cedar Key, FL from Gainesville, FL?

The driving distance from Cedar Key, FL to Gainesville, FL is about 57.3 miles (92.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 24m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 55.6 miles (89.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 48m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EST.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
57.27 mi
01h 24m
Flight
55.54 mi
89.38 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Cedar Key.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
55.54 mi
Kilometers
89.38 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
57.27 mi
Kilometers
92.16 km
Drive Time
01h 24m

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 01h 24m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Gainesville
Sat, Nov 7, 2:47 AM EST
Return by in Cedar Key
Sat, Nov 7, 4:11 AM EST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cedar Key
2026-11-07T01:23
Arrive Gainesville
Sat, Nov 7, 2:47 AM EST
Route Timing
01h 24m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EST
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:24 AM to 11:24 AM EST

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:42 PM EST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Cedar Key
9:30 PM EST
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Bronson
FL

Town in Levy County, Florida

From Cedar Key
28.6 mi
00h 42m
To Gainesville
28.6 mi
00h 42m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
76°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Nov 7 6:00 AM EST
Wind
8 to 13 mph NNW
Destination
80°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Nov 7 6:00 AM EST
Wind
7 mph N

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Cedar Key and Gainesville.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cedar Key and Gainesville.

  1. 1

    Start on 6th Street

    35 m · 11 sec · 6th Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto D Street

    39.6 mi · 55 min · D Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Southwest Archer Road

    14.4 mi · 22 min · Southwest Archer Road

  4. 4

    Continue on Archer Road

    2045 ft · 44 sec · Archer Road

  5. 5

    Turn straight onto Southwest 16th Avenue

    1.7 mi · 4 min · Southwest 16th Avenue

  6. 6

    Turn left onto South Main Street

    1936 ft · 51 sec · South Main Street

  7. 7

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Main Street

    28 m · 2 sec · South Main Street

  8. 8

    Exit the roundabout onto South Main Street

    1317 ft · 32 sec · South Main Street

  9. 9

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Main Street

    54 m · 4 sec · South Main Street

  10. 10

    Exit the roundabout onto South Main Street

    2512 ft · 1 min · South Main Street

  11. 11

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Main Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Cedar Key and Gainesville.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
11 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
0 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
19.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
D Street
39.6 mi · 69%
Southwest Archer Road
14.4 mi · 25%
Southwest 16th Avenue
1.74 mi · 3%
South Main Street
1.14 mi · 2%
Archer Road
0.39 mi · 1%
6th Street
0.02 mi
Longest Stretch

D Street

Turn left onto D Street

39.6 mi · 00h 55m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 24m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 48m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+1.7 mi
55.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Bronson
00h 42m from Cedar Key
Leave By
3:42 PM EST
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Cedar Key and Sunny near Gainesville.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Cedar Key to Gainesville?

The road trip is about 57.3 miles (92.2 km) and usually takes 01h 24m 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?

Bronson is a useful midpoint, sitting about 28.6 miles from Cedar Key and 28.6 miles from Gainesville.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 55.6 miles (89.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 1.7 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 EST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:42 PM EST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.74 one way or $15.49 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 18 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Cedar Key and Sunny near Gainesville.

Stop Ideas Near Bronson

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Bronson, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Bronson.

BUS

Gainesville, Florida

38 mi away
201 East University Ave.
BUS

Ocala, Florida

57 mi away
531 Northeast First Ave
BUS

Waldo, Florida

60 mi away
14648 NE 147th Avenue
OTHER

Wildwood, Florida

87 mi away
601 North Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cedar Key and Gainesville. Straight-line distance: 55.54 mi (89.38 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Cedar Key

Human settlement in Levy County, Florida, United States of America

Population726
Coordinates29.1385800, -83.0351200
Altitude3
CountryUnited States
Gainesville

#2 Gainesville

The third most populous city in Florida.

Population135,004
Coordinates29.6516300, -82.3248300
Altitude54
CountryUnited States
Start: Cedar Key (-83.03512, 29.13858)
End: Gainesville (-82.32483, 29.65163)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 92 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 54m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 25m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 08m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 57m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 49m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 42m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.02 gal
7.65 L · about $7.74
Round trip
$15.49
4.04 gal · 15.3 L
Estimated CO2
18 kg one way
Round trip: 35.9 kg / 79 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.83 $7.74 $15.49
Mid-grade $4.32 $8.73 $17.45
Premium $4.66 $9.42 $18.84
Diesel $5.94 $12.00 $24.00

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 · Nov 06, 2026

There is no time difference between Cedar Key and Gainesville. The current time is 01:23:18.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.