Origin
Key West, FL
Morning in Key West on Monday
Local time
8:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Key West, FL to Gainesville, FL
Drive Time
8h 9m
Distance
496.9 mi
800 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$83
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
8h 2m
★
6 AM
8h 10m
8 AM
8h 26m
10 AM
8h 16m
12 PM
8h 14m
3 PM
8h 16m
5 PM
8h 25m
8 PM
8h 5m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Key West, FL
Arian Fernandez
Trip Overview
Embarking on the 496.9-mile journey from Key West to Gainesville is a significant trek that spans the length of Florida. While the trip takes approximately 8 hours and 9 minutes of pure driving time, attempting this in a single day can be exhausting. I highly recommend splitting this into a 2-day excursion to keep your energy levels high. Budgeting about $83 for fuel will cover your transit across the state, though you should account for potential traffic variables. Since you are moving from the southernmost point of the Florida Keys toward the northern interior, you will experience a distinct transition in the state's geography. Planning for at least two major stops will help you break up the time behind the wheel effectively.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
248.4 miles from Key West, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 4m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straightforward interstate sprint. You will begin your journey navigating Flagler Avenue, South Roosevelt Boulevard, and the Overseas Highway, which requires your full attention compared to the monotony of a typical highway cruise. With a 0% highway share, this route is defined by its local road connectivity and constant adjustments behind the wheel. Because the drive is technical and lacks long, uninterrupted stretches, your pace will be slower than a typical cross-country interstate run. Staying alert is essential as you transition from the unique road layouts of the Keys onto the regional roads leading toward Gainesville.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Flagler Avenue 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.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
The route itself is not hard, but at 8h 9m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 0 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Key West, FL to Gainesville, FL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Flagler Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Roosevelt Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Overseas Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| New Seven Mile Bridge | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Dixie Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Miami | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Florida's Turnpike | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Flagler Avenue
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Key West, FL and Gainesville, FL.
1
Start on George Street
367 ft
·
21 sec
·
George Street
2
At the end of the road, turn left onto Flagler Avenue
2.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Flagler Avenue
3
At the end of the road, turn left onto South Roosevelt Boulevard
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
South Roosevelt Boulevard
4
Turn right onto Overseas Highway
36 mi
·
56 min
·
Overseas Highway
5
Continue on New Seven Mile Bridge
68 mi
·
1 hr 46 min
·
New Seven Mile Bridge
6
Continue on Dixie Highway
19 mi
·
26 min
·
Dixie Highway
7
Take the exit slight right toward Miami, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Miami, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North
8
Continue on Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
13 mi
·
15 min
·
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
9
Keep slight right to continue on Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
10
Keep slight left to continue on Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
11
Keep slight right to continue on Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
27 mi
·
30 min
·
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
12
Keep slight right to continue on Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
13
Merge slight left onto Florida's Turnpike
261 mi
·
4 hr 43 min
·
Florida's Turnpike
14
Keep slight left to continue on Florida's Turnpike
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
Florida's Turnpike
15
Merge slight left
46 mi
·
49 min
16
Take the exit slight right toward CR 234: Micanopy
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
CR 234: Micanopy
17
Turn right onto Southeast County Road 234
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Southeast County Road 234
18
Turn left
420 ft
·
15 sec
19
Turn straight
8.0 mi
·
9 min
20
Turn right onto Southwest Williston Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Southwest Williston Road
21
Turn left onto South Main Street
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
South Main Street
22
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Main Street
92 ft
·
2 sec
·
South Main Street
23
Exit the roundabout onto South Main Street
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
South Main Street
24
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Main Street
177 ft
·
4 sec
·
South Main Street
25
Exit the roundabout onto South Main Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
26
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this nearly 500-mile trip, aim to depart early in the morning to avoid peak congestion during the first leg of your departure from Key West. Given the 8-hour duration, scheduling two deliberate stops will prevent driver fatigue and allow you to manage your fuel budget of $83 more efficiently. Since the route relies entirely on local roads, keep a close watch on your GPS, as navigation can become complex during turns. If you choose to split the drive over two days, look for lodging options roughly halfway to ensure a balanced travel schedule. Always check your tire pressure before leaving the Keys, as the constant turning on local roads can be more demanding on your vehicle than high-speed straightaways.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 248.4 miles from Key West, FL, or about 4h 4m into the drive.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 109 miles or 1h 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 248.4 miles or 4h 4m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 248.4 miles or 4h 4m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 10m
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 Key West, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Key West, FL
Aim for roughly 248 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Gainesville, FL
Aim for roughly 248 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 109 miles from Key West, FL.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 248.4 mi from Key West, FL · 4h 4m into the drive
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
248 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Port Saint Lucie, FLOvernight Options
Night 1
248 mi · about 4.1h in
A practical overnight split lands near Port Saint Lucie, FL after about 248 miles or 4.1 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 109 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 248.4 miles from Key West, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 248 miles or 4.1 hours on the road.
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.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Gainesville, FL with some flexibility left in the schedule.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$83.01 one way
$166.01 round trip
$4.24/gal
25.4 MPG avg
174 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $89.91 | $179.82 |
| premium | $4.90 | $95.78 | $191.56 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $110.39 | $220.79 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$83
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$213–$323
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 173.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $52 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 149.1 | 1 | $52.17 | $23.85 |
| Efficient EV | 124.2 | 1 | $43.48 | $19.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 198.8 | 2 | $69.57 | $31.80 |
Gas CO2
174 kg
EV CO2
58 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Morning in Gainesville on Monday
Local time
8:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Mostly Clear
E 3 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
20 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
8h 9m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Key West, FL to Gainesville, FL covers 496.9 miles and takes about 8h 9m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Flagler Avenue, South Roosevelt Boulevard, Overseas Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 248 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 248.4 miles from Key West, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $83.01 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
The route itself is not hard, but at 8h 9m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 0 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Key West, FL to Gainesville, FL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Key West, FL to Gainesville, FL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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