How far is Gainesville, FL from South Daytona, FL?

The driving distance from Gainesville, FL to South Daytona, FL is about 104.8 miles (168.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 27m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 86.2 miles (138.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 55m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
104.77 mi
02h 27m
Flight
86.26 mi
138.83 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Gainesville.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
86.26 mi
Kilometers
138.83 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
104.77 mi
Kilometers
168.61 km
Drive Time
02h 27m

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 27m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in South Daytona
Sun, Apr 19, 12:32 AM EDT
Return by in Gainesville
Sun, Apr 19, 2:59 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Gainesville
2026-04-18T22:04
Arrive South Daytona
Sun, Apr 19, 12:32 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 27m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:28 AM to 12:28 PM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:34 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Gainesville
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Pomona Park
FL

Town in Putnam County, Florida, United States

From Gainesville
52.4 mi
01h 13m
To South Daytona
52.4 mi
01h 13m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
94°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
1 to 8 mph SW
Destination
85°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph SSE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Gainesville and South Daytona.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Gainesville and South Daytona.

  1. 1

    Start on South Main Street

    35 m · 7 sec · South Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto East University Avenue

    1.1 mi · 3 min · East University Avenue

  3. 3

    Continue on Hawthorne Road

    42.6 mi · 1 hr · Hawthorne Road

  4. 4

    Keep slight left to continue on 9th Street

    1719 ft · 1 min · 9th Street

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Reid Street

    3112 ft · 1 min · Reid Street

  6. 6

    Continue on Memorial Bridge

    5 mi · 8 min · Memorial Bridge

  7. 7

    Turn left

    23.8 mi · 31 min

  8. 8

    Turn left onto State Street

    6 mi · 9 min · State Street

  9. 9

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward US Highway 1

    35 m · 2 sec · US Highway 1

  10. 10

    Exit the roundabout onto US Highway 1

    6.3 mi · 8 min · US Highway 1

  11. 11

    Turn left onto I 95 South: Miami

    973 ft · 26 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    11.1 mi · 12 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward I 4, US 92, FL 400: Daytona Beach, Orlando, International Airport, International Speedway

    1439 ft · 35 sec

  14. 14

    Continue on I 4, US 92, FL 400: Daytona Beach, Orlando

    156 m · 13 sec

  15. 15

    Keep slight left to continue on I 4, FL 400: Orlando, South Daytona

    1.3 mi · 2 min

  16. 16

    Keep slight left to continue on I 95 South, FL 400 East: Miami, South Daytona

    2149 ft · 31 sec

  17. 17

    Keep slight right to continue on FL 400 East: South Daytona

    1393 ft · 40 sec

  18. 18

    Merge slight left

    3.2 mi · 5 min

  19. 19

    Turn right onto Nova Road

    1.1 km · 1 min · Nova Road

  20. 20

    Turn left onto Big Tree Road

    1.1 mi · 3 min · Big Tree Road

  21. 21

    Turn right onto Anastasia Drive

    2679 ft · 1 min · Anastasia Drive

  22. 22

    Enter the roundabout toward the route

    12 m · 1 sec

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Gainesville and South Daytona.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
23 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
21.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Hawthorne Road
42.6 mi · 41%
I 95 South
11.7 mi · 11%
US Highway 1
6.32 mi · 6%
State Street
6 mi · 6%
Memorial Bridge
5.04 mi · 5%
FL 400 East
3.45 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

Hawthorne Road

Continue on Hawthorne Road

42.6 mi · 01h 00m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 27m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+18.6 mi
86.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Pomona Park
01h 13m from Gainesville
Leave By
1:34 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Gainesville and Sunny near South Daytona.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Gainesville to South Daytona?

The road trip is about 104.8 miles (168.6 km) and usually takes 02h 27m 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?

Pomona Park is a useful midpoint, sitting about 52.4 miles from Gainesville and 52.4 miles from South Daytona.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 86.2 miles (138.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.6 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 1:34 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.35 one way or $30.70 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 32.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Gainesville and Sunny near South Daytona.

Stop Ideas Near Pomona Park

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Pomona Park, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Pomona Park.

RAIL

Palatka

17 mi away
220 North 11th Street
RAIL

DeLand

59 mi away
2491 Old New York Ave
BUS

Ocala, Florida

63 mi away
531 Northeast First Ave
BUS

Daytona Beach, Florida

64 mi away
100 North Atlantic Ave

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Gainesville and South Daytona. Straight-line distance: 86.26 mi (138.83 km).

Gainesville

#1 Gainesville

The third most populous city in Florida.

Population135,004
Coordinates29.6516300, -82.3248300
Altitude54
CountryUnited States
South Daytona

#2 South Daytona

City in Volusia County, Florida, United States of America

Population13,639
Coordinates29.1658200, -81.0045000
Altitude3
CountryUnited States
Start: Gainesville (-82.32483, 29.65163)
End: South Daytona (-81.0045, 29.16582)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 169 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 29m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 37m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 05m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 44m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 29m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 18m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.7 gal
13.99 L · about $15.35
Round trip
$30.70
7.4 gal · 27.98 L
Estimated CO2
32.9 kg one way
Round trip: 65.8 kg / 145 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.15 $15.35 $30.70
Mid-grade $4.60 $17.01 $34.01
Premium $4.90 $18.12 $36.23
Diesel $4.35 $16.10 $32.19

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

There is no time difference between Gainesville and South Daytona. The current time is 22:04:57.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.