How far is Jacksonville, FL from Gainesville, FL?
The driving distance from Jacksonville, FL to Gainesville, FL is about 72 miles (115.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 61.8 miles (99.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 38m 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 01h 19m.
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.
Human settlement in Bradford County, Florida, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Jacksonville and Gainesville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jacksonville and Gainesville.
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1
Start on Union Street
64 m · 13 sec · Union Street
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2
Turn left onto Ocean Street
86 m · 15 sec · Ocean Street
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3
Turn left onto State Street
1.1 km · 2 min · State Street
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4
Continue on Kings Road
1331 ft · 37 sec · Kings Road
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5
Take the ramp slight left toward I 95 South: Jacksonville
1.1 mi · 2 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 10 West: Lake City
1.2 km · 2 min
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7
Merge slight left
17.1 mi · 20 min
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8
Take the exit slight right
2381 ft · 58 sec
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9
Keep slight right
1539 ft · 38 sec
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10
Merge slight left
766 ft · 12 sec
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11
Continue straight
37.4 mi · 47 min
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Kennard Street
2824 ft · 1 min · Kennard Street
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13
Continue on Waldo Road
10.9 mi · 14 min · Waldo Road
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14
Continue on Northeast Waldo Road
2858 ft · 54 sec · Northeast Waldo Road
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15
Continue on Waldo Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Waldo Road
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16
Turn right onto East University Avenue
1.3 km · 2 min · East University Avenue
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17
Turn left onto South Main Street
35 m · 3 sec · South Main Street
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Jacksonville and Gainesville.
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
Continue straight
37.4 mi · 00h 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.
Sunny leaving Jacksonville and Mostly Sunny near Gainesville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Jacksonville to Gainesville?
The road trip is about 72 miles (115.8 km) and usually takes 01h 19m 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?
Lawtey is a useful midpoint, sitting about 36.1 miles from Jacksonville and 35.9 miles from Gainesville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 61.8 miles (99.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.2 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:52 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.54 one way or $21.07 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Jacksonville and Mostly Sunny near Gainesville.
Stop Ideas Near Lawtey
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 Lawtey.
Waldo, Florida
Jacksonville
Gainesville, Florida
Palatka
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Jacksonville and Gainesville. Straight-line distance: 61.76 mi (99.4 km).
#1 Jacksonville
The thirteenth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Jacksonville metropolitan area.
| Population | 920,570 |
| Coordinates | 30.3321800, -81.6556500 |
| Altitude | 5 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Gainesville
The third most populous city in Florida.
| Population | 135,004 |
| Coordinates | 29.6516300, -82.3248300 |
| Altitude | 54 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Main Street (-82.32501, 29.65163)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 116 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 47m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 11m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 53m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $10.54 | $21.07 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $11.67 | $23.35 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $12.44 | $24.87 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $11.05 | $22.10 |
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.