How far is Gainesville, FL from San Carlos Park, FL?
The driving distance from Gainesville, FL to San Carlos Park, FL is about 261.7 miles (421.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 50m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 222.3 miles (357.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 40m 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 04h 50m.
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.
Census-designated place in Hillsborough County, Florida
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Gainesville and San Carlos Park.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gainesville and San Carlos Park.
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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
-
8
Turn straight
2000 ft · 34 sec
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9
Continue straight
7 mi · 8 min
-
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
-
12
Take the ramp left toward I 75 South: Tampa
1148 ft · 28 sec
-
13
Merge slight left
99.6 mi · 1 hr 47 min
-
14
Keep slight left to continue on South I 75: Naples
74.3 mi · 1 hr 20 min
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15
Keep slight left
70.4 mi · 1 hr 15 min
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward CR 840: San Carlos Park, Southwest Florida International Airport
2780 ft · 44 sec
-
17
Keep slight left to continue on CR 840: Hertz Arena, San Carlos Park
1.2 mi · 3 min
-
18
Keep slight right to continue on CR 840: Hertz Arena, San Carlos Park
2418 ft · 55 sec
-
19
Turn right onto Alico Road
1225 ft · 25 sec · Alico Road
-
20
Turn left onto Three Oaks Parkway
1.8 mi · 3 min · Three Oaks Parkway
-
21
Turn right onto San Carlos Boulevard
2532 ft · 1 min · San Carlos Boulevard
-
22
Turn left onto Tampa Road
1138 ft · 50 sec · Tampa Road
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Tampa Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Gainesville and San Carlos Park.
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 Sunny near San Carlos Park.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Gainesville to San Carlos Park?
The road trip is about 261.7 miles (421.2 km) and usually takes 04h 50m 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?
Progress Village is a useful midpoint, sitting about 131.1 miles from Gainesville and 130.6 miles from San Carlos Park.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 222.3 miles (357.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 39.4 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:20 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.33 one way or $76.66 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 82.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Gainesville and Sunny near San Carlos Park.
Stop Ideas Near Progress Village
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 Progress Village.
Union Station
St Petersburg-Pinellas Park-Clearwater, Florida
Lakeland
Lakeland
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Gainesville and San Carlos Park. Straight-line distance: 222.31 mi (357.78 km).
#1 Gainesville
The third most populous city in Florida.
| Population | 135,004 |
| Coordinates | 29.6516300, -82.3248300 |
| Altitude | 54 |
| Country | United States |
#2 San Carlos Park
Census-designated place in Lee County, Florida
| Population | 16,824 |
| Coordinates | 26.4673000, -81.8014700 |
| Altitude | 5 |
| Country | United States |
End: San Carlos Park (-81.80147, 26.4673)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 421 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 43m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 32m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 44m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $38.33 | $76.66 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $42.47 | $84.93 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $45.24 | $90.48 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $40.19 | $80.39 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.