How far is West Palm Beach, FL from Gainesville, FL?

The driving distance from West Palm Beach, FL to Gainesville, FL is about 272 miles (437.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 01m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 245.6 miles (395.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 02m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
272.05 mi
04h 01m
Flight
245.53 mi
395.15 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from West Palm Beach.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
245.53 mi
Kilometers
395.15 km
Flight Time
00h 29m

Driving Distance

Road route
272.05 mi
Kilometers
437.83 km
Drive Time
04h 01m

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 01m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Gainesville
Sun, Apr 19, 9:01 AM EDT
Return by in West Palm Beach
Sun, Apr 19, 1:02 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave West Palm Beach
2026-04-19T05:00
Arrive Gainesville
Sun, Apr 19, 9:01 AM EDT
Route Timing
04h 01m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:01 AM to 12:01 PM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
8:58 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in West Palm Beach
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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
Saint Cloud
FL

A city in Osceola County, Florida.

From West Palm Beach
135.8 mi
02h 00m
To Gainesville
136.3 mi
02h 00m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
85°F
Sunday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 12 mph SE
Destination
91°F
Sunday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 12 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between West Palm Beach and Gainesville.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between West Palm Beach and Gainesville.

  1. 1

    Start on North Dixie Highway

    1 km · 2 min · North Dixie Highway

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard

    2.3 mi · 4 min · Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard

  3. 3

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 95 North: Daytona Beach

    2138 ft · 52 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    15.3 mi · 17 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward FL 706 West: Okeechobee

    1870 ft · 1 min

  6. 6

    Turn straight onto Indiantown Road

    2775 ft · 55 sec · Indiantown Road

  7. 7

    Take the ramp right

    591 ft · 14 sec

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    147 m · 12 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North

    2591 ft · 1 min

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Florida's Turnpike

    191.9 mi · 3 hr 26 min · Florida's Turnpike

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on Florida's Turnpike

    1281 ft · 16 sec · Florida's Turnpike

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    46.1 mi · 49 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward CR 234: Micanopy

    1213 ft · 32 sec

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Southeast County Road 234

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Southeast County Road 234

  15. 15

    Turn left

    128 m · 15 sec

  16. 16

    Turn straight

    8 mi · 10 min

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Southwest Williston Road

    2889 ft · 1 min · Southwest Williston Road

  18. 18

    Turn left onto South Main Street

    1.6 mi · 3 min · South Main Street

  19. 19

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Main Street

    28 m · 2 sec · South Main Street

  20. 20

    Exit the roundabout onto South Main Street

    1317 ft · 32 sec · South Main Street

  21. 21

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Main Street

    54 m · 4 sec · South Main Street

  22. 22

    Exit the roundabout onto South Main Street

    2512 ft · 1 min · South Main Street

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Main Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between West Palm Beach and Gainesville.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
23 steps
14 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
11
3 merges, 8 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Florida's Turnpike
238 mi · 88%
I 95 North
15.7 mi · 6%
South Main Street
2.39 mi · 1%
Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard
2.33 mi · 1%
Southeast County Road 234
1.32 mi
Indiantown Road
0.73 mi
Longest Stretch

Florida's Turnpike

Merge slight left onto Florida's Turnpike

192 mi · 03h 26m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 01m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 02m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+26.4 mi
245.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Saint Cloud
02h 00m from West Palm Beach
Leave By
8:58 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving West Palm Beach and Partly Sunny near Gainesville.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from West Palm Beach to Gainesville?

The road trip is about 272 miles (437.8 km) and usually takes 04h 01m 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?

Saint Cloud is a useful midpoint, sitting about 135.8 miles from West Palm Beach and 136.3 miles from Gainesville.

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

The direct path is about 245.6 miles (395.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.4 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 8:58 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.82 one way or $79.64 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 85.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around West Palm Beach and Partly Sunny near Gainesville.

Stop Ideas Near Saint Cloud

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Saint Cloud, 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 Saint Cloud.

RAIL

Kissimmee

13 mi away
111 East Dakin Ave.
RAIL

Orlando Health/Amtrak

32 mi away
1400 Sligh Blvd.
RAIL

Winter Park

39 mi away
150 West Morse Blvd
RAIL

Winter Haven

52 mi away
1800 7th St SW

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between West Palm Beach and Gainesville. Straight-line distance: 245.53 mi (395.15 km).

West Palm Beach

#1 West Palm Beach

The most populous city in Palm Beach County, Florida.

Population112,782
Coordinates26.7153400, -80.0533700
Altitude4
CountryUnited States
Gainesville

#2 Gainesville

The third most populous city in Florida.

Population135,004
Coordinates29.6516300, -82.3248300
Altitude54
CountryUnited States
Start: North Dixie Highway (-80.053483, 26.715342)
End: South Main Street (-82.32501, 29.65163)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 438 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 03m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 48m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 26m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 32m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 53m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 23m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.6 gal
36.34 L · about $39.82
Round trip
$79.64
19.2 gal · 72.68 L
Estimated CO2
85.3 kg one way
Round trip: 170.6 kg / 376 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.15 $39.82 $79.64
Mid-grade $4.60 $44.12 $88.24
Premium $4.90 $47.00 $94.00
Diesel $4.35 $41.76 $83.52

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 West Palm Beach and Gainesville. The current time is 05:00:23.

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.