How far is Gainesville, FL from Arcadia, FL?

The driving distance from Gainesville, FL to Arcadia, FL is about 182.9 miles (294.4 km), with a travel time of about 04h 01m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 170.7 miles (274.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 03m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
182.93 mi
04h 01m
Flight
170.66 mi
274.65 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Gainesville.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
170.66 mi
Kilometers
274.65 km
Flight Time
00h 20m

Driving Distance

Road route
182.93 mi
Kilometers
294.4 km
Drive Time
04h 01m

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 04h 01m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Arcadia
Thu, Apr 16, 3:56 PM EDT
Return by in Gainesville
Thu, Apr 16, 7:58 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Gainesville
2026-04-16T11:54
Arrive Arcadia
Thu, Apr 16, 3:56 PM EDT
Route Timing
04h 01m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:02 AM to 12:02 PM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
8:56 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Gainesville
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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
Lacoochee
FL

Census-designated place in Pasco County, Florida

From Gainesville
91.7 mi
02h 00m
To Arcadia
91.2 mi
02h 00m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
90°F
Thursday

Areas Of Fog then Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph S
Destination
88°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 mph E

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Gainesville and Arcadia.

  1. 1

    Start on South Main Street

    2510 ft · 1 min · South Main Street

  2. 2

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Main Street

    45 m · 3 sec · South Main Street

  3. 3

    Exit the roundabout onto South Main Street

    1332 ft · 33 sec · South Main Street

  4. 4

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward South Main Street

    18 m · 1 sec · South Main Street

  5. 5

    Exit the roundabout onto South Main Street

    1.6 mi · 3 min · South Main Street

  6. 6

    Turn right onto Southwest Williston Road

    2572 ft · 54 sec · Southwest Williston Road

  7. 7

    Turn left onto South Main Street

    807 ft · 23 sec · South Main Street

  8. 8

    Turn straight

    2000 ft · 34 sec

  9. 9

    Continue straight

    7 mi · 8 min

  10. 10

    Continue straight

    3212 ft · 47 sec

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Southeast County Road 234

    1.4 mi · 3 min · Southeast County Road 234

  12. 12

    Take the ramp left toward I 75 South: Tampa

    1148 ft · 28 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    53.6 mi · 57 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward FL 470: Sumterville, Lake Panasoffkee

    2015 ft · 51 sec

  15. 15

    Turn sharp left

    2.6 mi · 4 min

  16. 16

    At the end of the road, turn left

    1598 ft · 27 sec

  17. 17

    Turn right

    34.9 mi · 47 min

  18. 18

    Turn left onto US Highway 98 North

    13.9 mi · 20 min · US Highway 98 North

  19. 19

    Continue on North Florida Avenue

    2 mi · 4 min · North Florida Avenue

  20. 20

    Turn left

    11.9 mi · 18 min

  21. 21

    Continue on Broadway Avenue

    3183 ft · 1 min · Broadway Avenue

  22. 22

    Turn left onto Van Fleet Drive

    1.2 km · 2 min · Van Fleet Drive

  23. 23

    Turn right onto Spessard Holland Parkway

    30.1 mi · 44 min · Spessard Holland Parkway

  24. 24

    Continue straight

    1.1 mi · 1 min

  25. 25

    Continue straight

    2.5 mi · 3 min

  26. 26

    Continue straight

    15.3 mi · 19 min

  27. 27

    Turn left onto Cypress Street

    807 ft · 24 sec · Cypress Street

  28. 28

    Turn right onto North Volusia Avenue

    772 ft · 36 sec · North Volusia Avenue

  29. 29

    Turn right onto East Hickory Street

    97 m · 8 sec · East Hickory Street

  30. 30

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Hickory Street

Car Route Details

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

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
30 steps
18 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
1 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 75 South
53.8 mi · 29%
Spessard Holland Parkway
49 mi · 27%
US Highway 98 North
13.9 mi · 8%
South Main Street
10.1 mi · 6%
North Florida Avenue
2.05 mi · 1%
Southeast County Road 234
1.38 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 75 South

Merge slight left

53.6 mi · 00h 57m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
04h 01m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+12.2 mi
170.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lacoochee
02h 00m from Gainesville
Leave By
8:56 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Areas Of Fog then Sunny leaving Gainesville and Sunny near Arcadia.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Gainesville to Arcadia?

The road trip is about 182.9 miles (294.4 km) and usually takes 04h 01m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Lacoochee is a useful midpoint, sitting about 91.7 miles from Gainesville and 91.2 miles from Arcadia.

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

The direct path is about 170.7 miles (274.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.2 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:56 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.80 one way or $53.59 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 57.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Areas Of Fog then Sunny around Gainesville and Sunny near Arcadia.

Stop Ideas Near Lacoochee

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Lacoochee, 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 Lacoochee.

OTHER

Dade City, Florida

11 mi away
14218 US Highway 98
OTHER

Wildwood, Florida

46 mi away
601 North Main Street
RAIL

Lakeland

51 mi away
600 East Main Street
RAIL

Lakeland

51 mi away
600 East Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Gainesville and Arcadia. Straight-line distance: 170.66 mi (274.65 km).

Gainesville

#1 Gainesville

The third most populous city in Florida.

Population135,004
Coordinates29.6516300, -82.3248300
Altitude54
CountryUnited States
Arcadia

#2 Arcadia

City in Florida

Population8,442
Coordinates27.2158800, -81.8584200
Altitude18
CountryUnited States
Start: Gainesville (-82.32483, 29.65163)
End: Arcadia (-81.85842, 27.21588)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 294 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 05m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 34m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 39m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 02m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 36m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 16m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.46 gal
24.44 L · about $26.80
Round trip
$53.59
12.92 gal · 48.88 L
Estimated CO2
57.4 kg one way
Round trip: 114.8 kg / 253 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.15 $26.80 $53.59
Mid-grade $4.60 $29.69 $59.38
Premium $4.90 $31.63 $63.26
Diesel $4.35 $28.10 $56.20

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 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Gainesville and Arcadia. The current time is 11:54:46.

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.