Origin
Gainesville, FL
Afternoon in Gainesville on Thursday
Local time
4:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Gainesville, FL to Hendry County, FL
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
5h 22m
Distance
251.5 mi
405 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 9m
★
6 AM
5h 23m
8 AM
5h 50m
10 AM
5h 32m
12 PM
5h 29m
3 PM
5h 33m
5 PM
5h 48m
8 PM
5h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hendry County, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Gainesville, FL to Hendry County, FL covers 251.5 miles and takes about 5h 22m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 27, I 75, Florida's Turnpike for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 140.1 miles on US 27. At current regular gas prices, budget about $40.03 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
125.8 miles from Gainesville, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 35m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 22m. Total distance: 251.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 22m highway drive covering 251.5 miles, with most of the trip on US 27 and I 75. The longest continuous stretch is about 140.1 miles on US 27.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 38 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 27 is the longest continuous segment at about 140.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 27 and I 75. You will hit about 18 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near CR 329 / South Main Street.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 251.5 miles you will encounter 18 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (CR 329 / South Main Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 58.8 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 88 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
CR 329 / South Main Street
Enter roundabout onto CR 329 / South Main Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
8
58.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 8m in
|
Florida's Turnpike
Take the exit onto Florida's Turnpike toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 328
Toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando
7
88 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m in
Take the exit toward Minneola
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 278
Toward Minneola
6
88.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 40m in
|
North Hancock Road
Turn right onto North Hancock Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
91.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 45m in
|
Citrus Tower Boulevard
Turn left onto Citrus Tower Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Gainesville, FL and Hendry County, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando, Minneola and Fort Myers.
Florida's Turnpike South
58.8 mi in
|
~1h 8m
|
via Florida's Turnpike
Orlando
58.8 mi in
|
~1h 8m
|
via Florida's Turnpike
Minneola
88 mi in
|
~1h 39m
Fort Myers
234.6 mi in
|
~4h 54m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 27 | 140.1 mi | 3h 3m |
| I 75 | 46.2 mi | 49m |
| Florida's Turnpike | 29.2 mi | 31m |
| Sam Jones Trail | 9.8 mi | 16m |
| US 441 | 8 mi | 9m |
| North Devil's Garden Road | 3.9 mi | 6m |
| FL 80 | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| South Main Street | 2.5 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
US 27
— 140.1 mi, about 3h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gainesville, FL and Hendry County, FL.
1
Start on CR 329
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Enter roundabout onto CR 329
148 ft
·
3 sec
·
South Main Street
3
Continue on CR 329
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
South Main Street
4
Enter roundabout onto CR 329
57 ft
·
1 sec
·
South Main Street
5
Continue on CR 329
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
South Main Street
6
Turn right onto FL 331
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
·
Southwest Williston Road
7
Turn left onto South Main Street
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
South Main Street
Use the left lane.
8
Turn straight onto US 441
0.4 mi
·
33 sec
·
US 441
Use the straight / left lanes.
9
Continue on US 441
7.0 mi
·
8 min
·
US 441
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 441
0.6 mi
·
47 sec
·
US 441
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn right onto CR 234
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Southeast County Road 234
Use the right lane.
12
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 75 South: Tampa
13
Merge onto I 75
46 mi
·
49 min
·
I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit onto Florida's Turnpike
29 mi
·
31 min
·
Florida's Turnpike
Exit 328
Toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Exit 278
Toward Minneola
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn right onto North Hancock Road
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
North Hancock Road
Use the right lane.
17
Turn right onto North Ridge Boulevard
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Ridge Boulevard
18
Turn left onto Citrus Tower Boulevard
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Citrus Tower Boulevard
Use the right lane.
19
Continue on Citrus Tower Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Citrus Tower Road
20
Turn left onto US 27
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
US 27
21
Continue on US 27
11 mi
·
14 min
·
US 27
Use the left lane.
22
Continue on US 27
13 mi
·
18 min
·
US 27
Use the right lane.
23
Continue on US 27
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
·
US 27
24
Continue on US 27
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
US 27
Use the left lane.
25
Continue on US 27
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
US 27
26
Continue on US 27
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
US 27
27
Continue on US 27
39 mi
·
50 min
·
US 27
Use the left lane.
28
Continue on US 27; US 98
10 mi
·
14 min
·
US 27; US 98
Use the left lane.
29
Continue on US 27; US 98
55 mi
·
1 hr 7 min
·
US 27; US 98
Use the left lane.
30
Merge onto US 27; FL 78
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
US 27; FL 78
31
Turn slight right
338 ft
·
4 sec
32
Continue on US 27
7.1 mi
·
10 min
·
US 27
33
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward FL 80 West: La Belle, Fort Myers
34
Merge onto FL 80
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
FL 80
35
Turn left onto CR 833
6.1 mi
·
10 min
·
Sam Jones Trail
36
Continue on CR 833
3.9 mi
·
6 min
·
North Devil's Garden Road
37
Continue on CR 833
3.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Sam Jones Trail
38
Arrive at destination
CR 833
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 125.8 miles from Gainesville, FL, or about 2h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 140.1 miles.
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 55 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 125.8 miles or 2h 35m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hendry County, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Gainesville, 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 Gainesville, FL
This is one driving day of about 251.5 miles and 5h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Gainesville, 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.
The longest stretch is on US 27 for about 140.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 125.8 mi from Gainesville, FL · 2h 35m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
126 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 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 125.8 miles from Gainesville, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 27 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 140.1 miles.
Arriving in Hendry County, FL
The final approach into Hendry County, 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 Hendry County, FL.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.03 one way
$80.06 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
88 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $43.55 | $87.09 |
| premium | $4.72 | $46.77 | $93.53 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $55.53 | $111.06 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.04
Florida's Turnpike
(29.2 mi)
$2.04
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 75.5 | 0 | $26.41 | $12.07 |
| Efficient EV | 62.9 | 0 | $22.01 | $10.06 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 100.6 | 1 | $35.21 | $16.10 |
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
29 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
Hendry County, FL
Afternoon in Hendry County on Thursday
Local time
4:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
62°F
Eagle Lake, FL
126 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 22m 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 Gainesville, FL to Hendry County, FL covers 251.5 miles and takes about 5h 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 27, I 75, Florida's Turnpike. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 125.8 miles from Gainesville, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $40.03 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 251.5 miles you will encounter 18 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (CR 329 / South Main Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 58.8 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 88 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Gainesville, FL and Hendry County, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando, Minneola and Fort Myers.
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