How far is Gainesville, FL from Key West, FL?
The driving distance from Gainesville, FL to Key West, FL is about 493.6 miles (794.3 km), with a travel time of about 10h 03m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 353.7 miles (569.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 20h 06m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 10h 03m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
City in Palm Beach County, Florida, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Gainesville and Key West.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gainesville and Key West.
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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
261 mi · 4 hr 43 min · Florida's Turnpike
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Florida's Turnpike Toll South, Homestead
1197 ft · 20 sec · Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
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16
Keep slight left to continue on Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
46.9 mi · 54 min · Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
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17
Keep slight left
2930 ft · 1 min
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18
Merge slight left onto Dixie Highway
19.2 mi · 27 min · Dixie Highway
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19
Continue on Overseas Highway
104.2 mi · 2 hr 43 min · Overseas Highway
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20
Turn right onto North Roosevelt Boulevard
2.4 mi · 6 min · North Roosevelt Boulevard
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21
Turn left onto George Street
1845 ft · 1 min · George Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · George Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Gainesville and Key West.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Florida's Turnpike
Take the exit slight left toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando
261 mi · 04h 43m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Mostly Sunny leaving Gainesville and Chance Rain Showers near Key West.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Gainesville to Key West?
The road trip is about 493.6 miles (794.3 km) and usually takes 10h 03m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Tequesta is a useful midpoint, sitting about 247.1 miles from Gainesville and 246.4 miles from Key West.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 353.7 miles (569.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 139.9 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 7:30 AM EDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $72.26 one way or $144.52 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 154.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Gainesville and Chance Rain Showers near Key West.
Stop Ideas Near Tequesta
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 Tequesta.
West Palm Beach
Delray Beach
Deerfield Beach
Okeechobee
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Gainesville and Key West. Straight-line distance: 353.7 mi (569.23 km).
#1 Gainesville
The third most populous city in Florida.
| Population | 135,004 |
| Coordinates | 29.6516300, -82.3248300 |
| Altitude | 54 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Key West
County seat city of Monroe County, Florida, United States; island in Florida Keys
| Population | 23,767 |
| Coordinates | 24.5552400, -81.7816300 |
| Altitude | 1 |
| Country | United States |
End: Key West (-81.78163, 24.55524)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 794 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 16h 26m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 12h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 09h 52m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 08h 13m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 07h 03m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 06h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $72.26 | $144.52 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $80.06 | $160.12 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $85.29 | $170.58 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $75.78 | $151.55 |
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.