Origin
DeFuniak Springs, FL
Afternoon in DeFuniak Springs on Thursday
Local time
3:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from DeFuniak Springs, FL to Gainesville, FL
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
4h 5m
Distance
266 mi
428 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 52m
★
6 AM
4h 5m
8 AM
4h 31m
10 AM
4h 14m
12 PM
4h 12m
3 PM
4h 16m
5 PM
4h 30m
8 PM
3h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
DeFuniak Springs, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from DeFuniak Springs, FL to Gainesville, FL covers 266 miles and takes about 4h 5m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Highway 90 East, Highway 331 South, I 10 East for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $42.34 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
133 miles from DeFuniak Springs, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 2m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 5m. Total distance: 266 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 4h 5m drive with frequent turns across 266 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Highway 90 East is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 5m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from DeFuniak Springs, FL to Gainesville, FL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Highway 90 East | — | — |
| Highway 331 South | — | — |
| I 10 East | — | — |
| I-75 South | — | — |
| FL 26 | — | — |
| West Newberry Road | — | — |
| West University Avenue | — | — |
| South Main Street | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Highway 90 East
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between DeFuniak Springs, FL and Gainesville, FL.
1
Start on South 9th Street
125 ft
·
13 sec
·
South 9th Street
2
Turn left onto US Highway 90 East
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
US Highway 90 East
3
Turn left onto US Highway 331 South
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
US Highway 331 South
4
Take the ramp left toward I 10 East: Tallahassee
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
·
I 10 East: Tallahassee
5
Merge slight left
211 mi
·
3 hr 46 min
6
Take the exit slight right toward I-75 South: Tampa
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
·
I-75 South: Tampa
7
Merge slight left
47 mi
·
50 min
8
Take the exit slight right toward FL 26: Gainesville, Newberry, Newberry Road
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
FL 26: Gainesville, Newberry, Newberry Road
9
Turn right onto West Newberry Road
2.4 mi
·
5 min
·
West Newberry Road
10
Continue on West University Avenue
3.4 mi
·
8 min
·
West University Avenue
11
Turn right onto South Main Street
115 ft
·
3 sec
·
South Main Street
12
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 133 miles from DeFuniak Springs, FL, or about 2h 2m into the drive.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 59 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133 miles or 2h 2m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gainesville, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving DeFuniak Springs, FL so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from DeFuniak Springs, FL
This is one driving day of about 266 miles and 4h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from DeFuniak Springs, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 133 mi from DeFuniak Springs, FL · 2h 2m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
133 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 133 miles from DeFuniak Springs, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Gainesville, FL
The final approach into Gainesville, FL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Gainesville, FL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.34 one way
$84.68 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
93 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $46.06 | $92.12 |
| premium | $4.72 | $49.46 | $98.92 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $58.73 | $117.46 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 79.8 | 0 | $27.93 | $12.77 |
| Efficient EV | 66.5 | 0 | $23.28 | $10.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 106.4 | 1 | $37.24 | $17.02 |
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Gainesville, FL
Afternoon in Gainesville on Thursday
Local time
4:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
55°F
Boston, GA
133 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 5m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from DeFuniak Springs, FL to Gainesville, FL covers 266 miles and takes about 4h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Highway 90 East, Highway 331 South, I 10 East. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 133 miles from DeFuniak Springs, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $42.34 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward 4h 5m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from DeFuniak Springs, FL to Gainesville, FL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from DeFuniak Springs, FL to Gainesville, FL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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Return Trip
Gainesville, FL to DeFuniak Springs, FLPlan the drive back the other way.
267.1 mi
4h 56m
Continue From Gainesville, FL
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