How far is Gainesville, FL from Panama City, FL?
The driving distance from Gainesville, FL to Panama City, FL is about 250 miles (402.4 km), with a travel time of about 05h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 202.8 miles (326.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 01m 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 05h 00m.
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.
City in Jefferson County, Florida, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Areas Of Fog then Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Gainesville and Panama City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gainesville and Panama City.
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1
Start on South Main Street
35 m · 11 sec · South Main Street
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2
Turn left onto West University Avenue
3.3 mi · 9 min · West University Avenue
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3
Continue on Newberry Road
2.3 mi · 5 min · Newberry Road
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4
Take the exit slight right toward I 75 North: Lake City
2013 ft · 49 sec
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5
Merge slight left
46.7 mi · 50 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 10: Jacksonville, Tallahassee
820 ft · 16 sec
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 10 West: Tallahassee
1569 ft · 30 sec
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8
Merge slight right
121.8 mi · 2 hr 11 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward FL 12: Gretna, Greensboro
1341 ft · 46 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on FL `12 South: Greensboro
112 m · 11 sec
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11
Turn straight onto Greensboro Highway
2.4 mi · 4 min · Greensboro Highway
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12
Continue on Selman Street
3018 ft · 1 min · Selman Street
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13
Turn left onto Green Avenue
2342 ft · 57 sec · Green Avenue
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14
Continue on Bristol Highway
17.7 mi · 23 min · Bristol Highway
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15
At the end of the road, turn right
28.4 mi · 39 min
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16
Turn left
24.1 mi · 32 min
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17
Turn left onto Harrison Avenue
1 mi · 3 min · Harrison Avenue
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18
Turn left onto East 7th Street
69 m · 12 sec · East 7th Street
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19
Turn right onto Luverne Avenue
131 m · 19 sec · Luverne Avenue
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Luverne Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Gainesville and Panama City.
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 10 West
Merge slight right
122 mi · 02h 11m
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.
Areas Of Fog then Sunny leaving Gainesville and Sunny near Panama City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Gainesville to Panama City?
The road trip is about 250 miles (402.4 km) and usually takes 05h 00m 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?
Monticello is a useful midpoint, sitting about 125 miles from Gainesville and 125.1 miles from Panama City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 202.8 miles (326.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 47.2 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 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:58 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.59 one way or $73.17 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 78.4 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Gainesville and Panama City, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Areas Of Fog then Sunny around Gainesville and Sunny near Panama City.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Gainesville and Panama City. Straight-line distance: 202.8 mi (326.37 km).
#1 Gainesville
The third most populous city in Florida.
| Population | 135,004 |
| Coordinates | 29.6516300, -82.3248300 |
| Altitude | 54 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Panama City
County seat of Bay County, Florida, United States
| Population | 34,667 |
| Coordinates | 30.1594600, -85.6598300 |
| Altitude | 8 |
| Country | United States |
End: Panama City (-85.65983, 30.15946)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 402 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 19m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 15m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 00m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 10m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 07m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $36.59 | $73.17 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $40.54 | $81.07 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $43.18 | $86.37 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $38.37 | $76.73 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.