How far is Gainesville, FL from Longboat Key, FL?
The driving distance from Gainesville, FL to Longboat Key, FL is about 181.9 miles (292.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 37m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 156 miles (251.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 14m 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 37m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Census-designated place in Hernando County, Florida
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Gainesville and Longboat Key.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gainesville and Longboat Key.
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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
99.6 mi · 1 hr 47 min
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14
Keep slight left to continue on South I 75: Naples
45.3 mi · 49 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 275 North: Saint Petersburg
1.6 km · 2 min
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16
Continue straight
1.1 km · 45 sec
-
17
Take the exit slight right toward US 41: Palmetto, Bradenton
1678 ft · 41 sec
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18
Keep slight left to continue on Palmetto, Bradenton
109 m · 11 sec
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19
Turn left onto Tamiami Trail
6.2 mi · 9 min · Tamiami Trail
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20
Continue on Hernando DeSoto Bridge
2226 ft · 38 sec · Hernando DeSoto Bridge
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21
Continue on 1st Street West
1.5 km · 2 min · 1st Street West
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22
Keep slight right to continue on 1st Street West
1.5 mi · 3 min · 1st Street West
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23
Continue on Cortez Road
8.6 mi · 16 min · Cortez Road
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24
At the end of the road, turn left onto Gulf Drive North
1236 ft · 40 sec · Gulf Drive North
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25
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Gulf Drive South
12 m · 1 sec · Gulf Drive South
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26
Exit the roundabout onto Gulf Drive South
1.5 mi · 4 min · Gulf Drive South
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27
Continue on Gulf of Mexico Drive
3 mi · 5 min · Gulf of Mexico Drive
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Gulf of Mexico Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Gainesville and Longboat Key.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 75 South
Merge slight left
99.6 mi · 01h 47m
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 Partly Sunny near Longboat Key.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Gainesville to Longboat Key?
The road trip is about 181.9 miles (292.7 km) and usually takes 03h 37m 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?
Hill 'n Dale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 91.2 miles from Gainesville and 90.7 miles from Longboat Key.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 156 miles (251.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.9 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 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:46 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.63 one way or $53.26 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 57.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Gainesville and Partly Sunny near Longboat Key.
Stop Ideas Near Hill 'n Dale
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 Hill 'n Dale.
Dade City, Florida
Wildwood, Florida
The Villages-Lady Lake, FL
Lakeland
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Gainesville and Longboat Key. Straight-line distance: 156.03 mi (251.11 km).
#1 Gainesville
The third most populous city in Florida.
| Population | 135,004 |
| Coordinates | 29.6516300, -82.3248300 |
| Altitude | 54 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Longboat Key
Town in Florida
| Population | 7,303 |
| Coordinates | 27.4125400, -82.6589900 |
| Altitude | 1 |
| Country | United States |
End: Longboat Key (-82.65899, 27.41254)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 293 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 03m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 32m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 38m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 01m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 35m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $26.63 | $53.26 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $29.51 | $59.01 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $31.43 | $62.86 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $27.93 | $55.85 |
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.