How far is Gainesville, FL from Lakes by the Bay, FL?
The driving distance from Gainesville, FL to Lakes by the Bay, FL is about 358.5 miles (577 km), with a travel time of about 06h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 307.3 miles (494.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 13h 21m 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 06h 40m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Indian River County, Florida, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Gainesville and Lakes by the Bay.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gainesville and Lakes by the Bay.
-
1
Start on South Main Street
2510 ft · 1 min · South Main Street
-
2
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Main Street
45 m · 3 sec · South Main Street
-
3
Exit the roundabout onto South Main Street
1332 ft · 33 sec · South Main Street
-
4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward South Main Street
18 m · 1 sec · South Main Street
-
5
Exit the roundabout onto South Main Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · South Main Street
-
6
Turn right onto Southwest Williston Road
2572 ft · 54 sec · Southwest Williston Road
-
7
Turn left onto South Main Street
807 ft · 23 sec · South Main Street
-
8
Turn straight
2000 ft · 34 sec
-
9
Continue straight
7 mi · 8 min
-
10
Continue straight
3212 ft · 47 sec
-
11
Turn right onto Southeast County Road 234
1.4 mi · 3 min · Southeast County Road 234
-
12
Take the ramp left toward I 75 South: Tampa
1148 ft · 28 sec
-
13
Merge slight left
46.2 mi · 50 min
-
14
Take the exit slight left toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando
261 mi · 4 hr 43 min · Florida's Turnpike
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward Florida's Turnpike Toll South, Homestead
1197 ft · 20 sec · Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
-
16
Keep slight left to continue on Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
34.9 mi · 40 min · Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
-
17
Take the exit slight right toward Southwest 216th Street
1.2 km · 1 min
-
18
Turn left onto Southwest 216th Street
1.1 mi · 3 min · Southwest 216th Street
-
19
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Southwest 97th Avenue
61 m · 6 sec · Southwest 97th Avenue
-
20
Exit the roundabout onto Southwest 97th Avenue
1284 ft · 37 sec · Southwest 97th Avenue
-
21
Continue on Southwest 212th Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · Southwest 212th Street
-
22
Turn left onto Southwest 85th Avenue
849 ft · 28 sec · Southwest 85th Avenue
-
23
Turn right onto Southwest 210th Street
57 m · 12 sec · Southwest 210th Street
-
24
Continue on Southwest 210th Street
81 m · 12 sec · Southwest 210th Street
-
25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Southwest 210th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Gainesville and Lakes by the Bay.
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Gainesville and Mostly Sunny near Lakes by the Bay.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Gainesville to Lakes by the Bay?
The road trip is about 358.5 miles (577 km) and usually takes 06h 40m 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?
Fellsmere is a useful midpoint, sitting about 179.6 miles from Gainesville and 179 miles from Lakes by the Bay.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 307.3 miles (494.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 51.2 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 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 $52.47 one way or $104.94 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 112.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Gainesville and Mostly Sunny near Lakes by the Bay.
Stop Ideas Near Fellsmere
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 Fellsmere.
Okeechobee
Sebring
Kissimmee
Orlando Health/Amtrak
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Gainesville and Lakes by the Bay. Straight-line distance: 307.27 mi (494.5 km).
#1 Gainesville
The third most populous city in Florida.
| Population | 135,004 |
| Coordinates | 29.6516300, -82.3248300 |
| Altitude | 54 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lakes by the Bay
Census-designated place in Miami-Dade County, Florida
| Population | 11,422 |
| Coordinates | 25.5723300, -80.3253300 |
| Altitude | 1 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lakes by the Bay (-80.32533, 25.57233)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 577 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 56m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 10m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 58m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 07m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $52.47 | $104.94 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $58.14 | $116.28 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $61.93 | $123.87 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $55.03 | $110.05 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.