How far is Fort Meade, FL from Gainesville, FL?
The driving distance from Fort Meade, FL to Gainesville, FL is about 173.4 miles (279 km), with a travel time of about 02h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 135 miles (217.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 33m 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 46m.
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.
Census-designated place in Sumter County, Florida
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fort Meade and Gainesville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Meade and Gainesville.
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1
Start on Charleston Avenue
38 m · 11 sec · Charleston Avenue
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2
Continue on Charleston Avenue
10.9 mi · 16 min · Charleston Avenue
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3
Turn left onto Van Fleet Drive
1.3 km · 2 min · Van Fleet Drive
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4
Turn right onto Broadway Avenue
3184 ft · 1 min · Broadway Avenue
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5
Continue on Bartow Road
11.9 mi · 18 min · Bartow Road
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6
Turn right onto North Florida Avenue
15.9 mi · 24 min · North Florida Avenue
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7
Turn right
34.8 mi · 46 min
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8
Keep slight left
89 m · 13 sec
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9
At the end of the road, turn left
1759 ft · 33 sec
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10
Turn right
2.5 mi · 4 min
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11
Take the ramp slight right toward I 75 North: Ocala
1518 ft · 37 sec
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12
Merge slight left
53.6 mi · 57 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward CR 234: Micanopy
1213 ft · 32 sec
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14
Turn right onto Southeast County Road 234
1.3 mi · 2 min · Southeast County Road 234
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15
Turn left
128 m · 15 sec
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16
Turn straight
8 mi · 10 min
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17
Turn right onto Southwest Williston Road
2889 ft · 1 min · Southwest Williston Road
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18
Turn left onto South Main Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · South Main Street
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19
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Main Street
28 m · 2 sec · South Main Street
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20
Exit the roundabout onto South Main Street
1317 ft · 32 sec · South Main Street
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21
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Main Street
54 m · 4 sec · South Main Street
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22
Exit the roundabout onto South Main Street
2512 ft · 1 min · South Main Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fort Meade and Gainesville.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
I 75 North
Merge slight left
53.6 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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Fort Meade 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 Fort Meade to Gainesville?
The road trip is about 173.4 miles (279 km) and usually takes 02h 46m 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?
Lake Panasoffkee is a useful midpoint, sitting about 72.3 miles from Fort Meade and 101.1 miles from Gainesville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 135 miles (217.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.4 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 12:56 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.39 one way or $50.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Fort Meade and Mostly Sunny near Gainesville.
Stop Ideas Near Lake Panasoffkee
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lake Panasoffkee.
Wildwood, Florida
The Villages-Lady Lake, FL
Dade City, Florida
Ocala, Florida
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fort Meade and Gainesville. Straight-line distance: 135.01 mi (217.27 km).
#1 Fort Meade
City in Polk County, Florida, United States
| Population | 6,260 |
| Coordinates | 27.7522500, -81.8017500 |
| Altitude | 42 |
| 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: 279 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $25.39 | $50.77 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $28.13 | $56.26 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $29.96 | $59.93 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $26.62 | $53.24 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.