How far is Gainesville, FL from Ruskin, FL?
The driving distance from Gainesville, FL to Ruskin, FL is about 149.4 miles (240.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 133.6 miles (215 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 36m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 48m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Town in Florida, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Gainesville and Ruskin.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gainesville and Ruskin.
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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
33.4 mi · 36 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward FL 674 West: Ruskin
3061 ft · 1 min
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16
Turn straight onto College Avenue
2.7 mi · 4 min · College Avenue
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17
Turn right onto Tamiami Trail
2719 ft · 1 min · Tamiami Trail
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18
Turn right onto Shell Point Road East
63 m · 11 sec · Shell Point Road East
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19
Turn left
16 m · 4 sec
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Gainesville and Ruskin.
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 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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Gainesville and Mostly Sunny near Ruskin.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Gainesville to Ruskin?
The road trip is about 149.4 miles (240.4 km) and usually takes 02h 48m 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?
Bushnell is a useful midpoint, sitting about 74.9 miles from Gainesville and 74.5 miles from Ruskin.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 133.6 miles (215 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.8 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 12:54 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.86 one way or $43.72 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Gainesville and Mostly Sunny near Ruskin.
Stop Ideas Near Bushnell
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 Bushnell.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Gainesville and Ruskin. Straight-line distance: 133.56 mi (214.95 km).
#1 Gainesville
The third most populous city in Florida.
| Population | 135,004 |
| Coordinates | 29.6516300, -82.3248300 |
| Altitude | 54 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Ruskin
Census-designated place in Hillsborough County, Florida
| Population | 17,208 |
| Coordinates | 27.7208600, -82.4331500 |
| Altitude | 1 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ruskin (-82.43315, 27.72086)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 240 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 58m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 44m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 29m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 08m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 51m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $21.86 | $43.72 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $24.22 | $48.44 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $25.80 | $51.60 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $22.92 | $45.85 |
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.