How far is Cocoa Beach, FL from Gainesville, FL?

The driving distance from Cocoa Beach, FL to Gainesville, FL is about 169.4 miles (272.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 41m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 138.6 miles (223 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 22m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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
169.48 mi
02h 41m
Flight
138.6 mi
223.05 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Cocoa Beach.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
138.6 mi
Kilometers
223.05 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
169.48 mi
Kilometers
272.75 km
Drive Time
02h 41m

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 41m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Gainesville
Wed, Apr 22, 11:59 PM EDT
Return by in Cocoa Beach
Thu, Apr 23, 2:40 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cocoa Beach
2026-04-22T21:17
Arrive Gainesville
Wed, Apr 22, 11:59 PM EDT
Route Timing
02h 41m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:41 AM to 12:41 PM EDT

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

Leave by
1:08 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Cocoa Beach
9:30 PM EDT
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
Ferndale
FL

Town in Lake County, Florida, United States

From Cocoa Beach
84.6 mi
01h 20m
To Gainesville
84.9 mi
01h 20m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
78°F
Wednesday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph E
Destination
83°F
Wednesday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
1 to 9 mph E

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Cocoa Beach and Gainesville.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cocoa Beach and Gainesville.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    35 m · 14 sec

  2. 2

    Turn left onto North Atlantic Avenue

    2.8 mi · 6 min · North Atlantic Avenue

  3. 3

    Continue on John F. Kennedy Boulevard

    1.9 mi · 4 min · John F. Kennedy Boulevard

  4. 4

    Continue on Astronaut Boulevard

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Astronaut Boulevard

  5. 5

    Continue on Bennett Causeway

    8.5 mi · 11 min · Bennett Causeway

  6. 6

    Continue on Beachline Expressway

    41.2 mi · 47 min · Beachline Expressway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward US 17, US 92, US 441

    1428 ft · 35 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on Florida's Turnpike, Oсala, Miami

    1.3 km · 2 min

  9. 9

    Continue on Orlando

    1439 ft · 37 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Florida's Turnpike

    53.3 mi · 57 min · Florida's Turnpike

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on Florida's Turnpike

    1281 ft · 16 sec · Florida's Turnpike

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    46.1 mi · 49 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward CR 234: Micanopy

    1213 ft · 32 sec

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Southeast County Road 234

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Southeast County Road 234

  15. 15

    Turn left

    128 m · 15 sec

  16. 16

    Turn straight

    8 mi · 10 min

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Southwest Williston Road

    2889 ft · 1 min · Southwest Williston Road

  18. 18

    Turn left onto South Main Street

    1.6 mi · 3 min · South Main Street

  19. 19

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Main Street

    28 m · 2 sec · South Main Street

  20. 20

    Exit the roundabout onto South Main Street

    1317 ft · 32 sec · South Main Street

  21. 21

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Main Street

    54 m · 4 sec · South Main Street

  22. 22

    Exit the roundabout onto South Main Street

    2512 ft · 1 min · South Main Street

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Main Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Cocoa Beach and Gainesville.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
23 steps
13 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
2 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Florida's Turnpike
100 mi · 59%
Beachline Expressway
41.2 mi · 24%
Bennett Causeway
8.52 mi · 5%
North Atlantic Avenue
2.83 mi · 2%
South Main Street
2.39 mi · 1%
John F. Kennedy Boulevard
1.9 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

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.

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
02h 41m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 22m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+30.8 mi
138.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Ferndale
01h 20m from Cocoa Beach
Leave By
1:08 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Cocoa Beach and Partly Sunny near Gainesville.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Cocoa Beach to Gainesville?

The road trip is about 169.4 miles (272.7 km) and usually takes 02h 41m 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?

Ferndale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 84.6 miles from Cocoa Beach and 84.9 miles from Gainesville.

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

The direct path is about 138.6 miles (223 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.8 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 1:08 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.81 one way or $49.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Cocoa Beach and Partly Sunny near Gainesville.

Stop Ideas Near Ferndale

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Ferndale and the surrounding midpoint area.
City of Tavares - City Hall
Scenic stop 12.1 mi away

City of Tavares - City Hall

Tavares , FL
115E W Main St, Tavares, FL 32778
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews Parking lot
Minneola City Hall
Meeting point 3 mi away

Minneola City Hall

Minneola , FL
800 US-27, Minneola, FL 34715
Rating 4.4/5 28 reviews City Hall
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 12.2 mi away

Tavares Utility Billing

Tavares , FL
Tapes City Hall, 201 E Main St, Tavares, FL 32778
Rating 1.3/5 12 reviews Water utility company

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Orlando Health/Amtrak

33 mi away
1400 Sligh Blvd.
RAIL

Winter Park

34 mi away
150 West Morse Blvd
BUS

The Villages-Lady Lake, FL

42 mi away
401 North US Highway 441
OTHER

Wildwood, Florida

43 mi away
601 North Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cocoa Beach and Gainesville. Straight-line distance: 138.6 mi (223.05 km).

Cocoa Beach

#1 Cocoa Beach

City in Florida

Population11,649
Coordinates28.3205500, -80.6092200
Altitude0
CountryUnited States
Gainesville

#2 Gainesville

The third most populous city in Florida.

Population135,004
Coordinates29.6516300, -82.3248300
Altitude54
CountryUnited States
Start: (-80.609439, 28.320553)
End: South Main Street (-82.32501, 29.65163)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 273 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 38m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 14m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 23m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 49m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 25m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 06m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.98 gal
22.64 L · about $24.81
Round trip
$49.61
11.96 gal · 45.28 L
Estimated CO2
53.1 kg one way
Round trip: 106.3 kg / 234 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.15 $24.81 $49.61
Mid-grade $4.60 $27.48 $54.97
Premium $4.90 $29.28 $58.56
Diesel $4.35 $26.01 $52.03

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Cocoa Beach and Gainesville. The current time is 21:17:59.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

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