How far is Gainesville, FL from Cocoa Beach, FL?
The driving distance from Gainesville, FL to Cocoa Beach, FL is about 168.9 miles (271.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 18m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 138.6 miles (223 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 36m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 18m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Town in Lake County, Florida, United States
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 Gainesville and Cocoa Beach.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gainesville and Cocoa Beach.
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1
Start on South Main Street
2510 ft · 1 min · South Main Street
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2
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Main Street
45 m · 3 sec · South Main Street
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3
Exit the roundabout onto South Main Street
1332 ft · 33 sec · South Main Street
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4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward South Main Street
18 m · 1 sec · South Main Street
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5
Exit the roundabout onto South Main Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · South Main Street
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6
Turn right onto Southwest Williston Road
2572 ft · 54 sec · Southwest Williston Road
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7
Turn left onto South Main Street
807 ft · 23 sec · South Main Street
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8
Turn straight
2000 ft · 34 sec
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9
Continue straight
7 mi · 8 min
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10
Continue straight
3212 ft · 47 sec
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11
Turn right onto Southeast County Road 234
1.4 mi · 3 min · Southeast County Road 234
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12
Take the ramp left toward I 75 South: Tampa
1148 ft · 28 sec
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13
Merge slight left
46.2 mi · 50 min
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14
Take the exit slight left toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando
52.6 mi · 56 min · Florida's Turnpike
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Consulate Drive
1567 ft · 33 sec
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16
Keep slight left to continue on FL 528 Toll West: Consulate Drive
46 m · 6 sec
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17
Turn left onto Consulate Drive
3034 ft · 59 sec · Consulate Drive
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18
Turn left onto South Orange Blossom Trail
2868 ft · 1 min · South Orange Blossom Trail
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19
Turn right onto West Landstreet Road
1244 ft · 21 sec · West Landstreet Road
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20
Take the ramp slight right toward FL 528 Toll East
1.1 km · 1 min
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21
Merge slight left onto Beachline Expressway
40.7 mi · 45 min · Beachline Expressway
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22
Continue on Bennett Causeway
8.5 mi · 11 min · Bennett Causeway
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23
Continue on Astronaut Boulevard
1.1 mi · 2 min · Astronaut Boulevard
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24
Continue on John F. Kennedy Boulevard
1.9 mi · 4 min · John F. Kennedy Boulevard
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25
Continue on North Atlantic Avenue
2.3 mi · 5 min · North Atlantic Avenue
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26
Continue on North Orlando Avenue
2560 ft · 1 min · North Orlando Avenue
-
27
Turn left onto North 1st Street
57 m · 14 sec · North 1st Street
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28
Turn left
17 m · 6 sec
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29
Turn right
25 m · 6 sec
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Gainesville and Cocoa Beach.
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
Take the exit slight left toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando
52.6 mi · 00h 56m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Gainesville and Mostly Sunny near Cocoa Beach.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Gainesville to Cocoa Beach?
The road trip is about 168.9 miles (271.8 km) and usually takes 03h 18m 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?
Ferndale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 84.5 miles from Gainesville and 84.4 miles from Cocoa Beach.
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 30.3 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 10:24 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.72 one way or $49.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Gainesville and Mostly Sunny near Cocoa Beach.
Stop Ideas Near Ferndale
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 Ferndale.
Orlando Health/Amtrak
Winter Park
The Villages-Lady Lake, FL
Wildwood, Florida
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Gainesville and Cocoa Beach. Straight-line distance: 138.6 mi (223.05 km).
#1 Gainesville
The third most populous city in Florida.
| Population | 135,004 |
| Coordinates | 29.6516300, -82.3248300 |
| Altitude | 54 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Cocoa Beach
City in Florida
| Population | 11,649 |
| Coordinates | 28.3205500, -80.6092200 |
| Altitude | 0 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cocoa Beach (-80.60922, 28.32055)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 272 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 13m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 22m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 06m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $24.72 | $49.44 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $27.39 | $54.78 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $29.18 | $58.36 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $25.93 | $51.85 |
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.