How far is Gainesville, FL from Lake Butler, FL?

The driving distance from Gainesville, FL to Lake Butler, FL is about 104.9 miles (168.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 04m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 92.5 miles (148.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 08m 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
104.88 mi
02h 04m
Flight
92.48 mi
148.84 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Gainesville.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
92.48 mi
Kilometers
148.84 km
Flight Time
00h 11m

Driving Distance

Road route
104.88 mi
Kilometers
168.79 km
Drive Time
02h 04m

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 04m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lake Butler
Sat, May 30, 9:31 PM EDT
Return by in Gainesville
Sat, May 30, 11:36 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Gainesville
2026-05-30T19:27
Arrive Lake Butler
Sat, May 30, 9:31 PM EDT
Route Timing
02h 04m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:04 AM to 12:04 PM EDT

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

Leave by
2:22 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Gainesville
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
Wildwood
FL

Human settlement in Sumter County, Florida, United States of America

From Gainesville
52.5 mi
01h 02m
To Lake Butler
52.4 mi
01h 02m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
86°F
This Afternoon

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, May 30 3:00 PM EDT
Wind
13 mph W
Destination
88°F
This Afternoon

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, May 30 3:00 PM EDT
Wind
10 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Gainesville and Lake Butler.

  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

    46.2 mi · 50 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight left toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando

    40.7 mi · 44 min · Florida's Turnpike

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward FL 50: Ocoee

    1 km · 2 min

  16. 16

    Keep slight right to continue on FL 50 East: Ocoee

    718 ft · 17 sec

  17. 17

    Merge slight left onto West Colonial Drive

    2627 ft · 54 sec · West Colonial Drive

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Maguire Road

    3 mi · 6 min · Maguire Road

  19. 19

    Exit the roundabout onto Maguire Road

    2320 ft · 47 sec · Maguire Road

  20. 20

    Continue on Main Street

    989 ft · 21 sec · Main Street

  21. 21

    Turn right onto North Drive

    20 m · 6 sec · North Drive

  22. 22

    Turn left onto Main Street

    61 m · 11 sec · Main Street

  23. 23

    Turn right onto 1st Avenue

    1567 ft · 1 min · 1st Avenue

  24. 24

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Pine Street

    59 m · 11 sec · Pine Street

  25. 25

    Turn right

    542 ft · 40 sec

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
26 steps
16 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
10
2 merges, 8 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
24.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 75 South
46.4 mi · 44%
Florida's Turnpike
20.3 mi · 19%
Florida's Turnpike South
20.3 mi · 19%
South Main Street
10.1 mi · 10%
Maguire Road
3.45 mi · 3%
Southeast County Road 234
1.38 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 75 South

Merge slight left

46.2 mi · 00h 50m

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 04m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+12.4 mi
92.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Wildwood
01h 02m from Gainesville
Leave By
2:22 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Gainesville and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lake Butler.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Gainesville to Lake Butler?

The road trip is about 104.9 miles (168.8 km) and usually takes 02h 04m 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?

Wildwood is a useful midpoint, sitting about 52.5 miles from Gainesville and 52.4 miles from Lake Butler.

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

The direct path is about 92.5 miles (148.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.4 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 2:22 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.35 one way or $30.70 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 32.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Gainesville and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lake Butler.

Stop Ideas Near Wildwood

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 Wildwood and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 8.4 mi away

Belleview City Hall Park

Belleview , FL
SE Abshier Blvd, Belleview, FL 34420, United States
Rating 4.6/5 20 reviews Tourist attraction,Park
City of Belleview
Meeting point 8.4 mi away

City of Belleview

Belleview , FL
5343 SE Abshier Blvd, Belleview, FL 34420
Rating 3.6/5 19 reviews City Hall

Transit and Meeting Points

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

OTHER

Wildwood, Florida

601 North Main Street
BUS

The Villages-Lady Lake, FL

13 mi away
401 North US Highway 441
BUS

Ocala, Florida

38 mi away
531 Northeast First Ave
OTHER

Dade City, Florida

57 mi away
14218 US Highway 98

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Gainesville and Lake Butler. Straight-line distance: 92.48 mi (148.84 km).

Gainesville

#1 Gainesville

The third most populous city in Florida.

Population135,004
Coordinates29.6516300, -82.3248300
Altitude54
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Lake Butler

City in Union County, Florida, United States

Population15,400
Coordinates28.5016700, -81.5409100
Altitude30
CountryUnited States
Start: Gainesville (-82.32483, 29.65163)
End: Lake Butler (-81.54091, 28.50167)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 169 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 29m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 37m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 05m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 44m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 29m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 18m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.7 gal
14.01 L · about $15.35
Round trip
$30.70
7.4 gal · 28.02 L
Estimated CO2
32.9 kg one way
Round trip: 65.8 kg / 145 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.15 $15.35 $30.70
Mid-grade $4.60 $17.01 $34.01
Premium $4.90 $18.12 $36.23
Diesel $4.35 $16.10 $32.19

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 · May 30, 2026

There is no time difference between Gainesville and Lake Butler. The current time is 19:27:49.

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.