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Trip from Pinecrest, FL to Gainesville, FL

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

2h 49m

Distance

143.3 mi

231 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

49 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min
4 AM
2h 38m ★
6 AM
2h 49m
8 AM
3h 11m
10 AM
2h 57m
12 PM
2h 55m
3 PM
2h 58m
5 PM
3h 10m
8 PM
2h 43m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Pinecrest, FL, FL

Pinecrest, FL

DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ

Trip Overview

This 143.3-mile drive from Pinecrest, Florida, to Gainesville, Florida, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 49 minutes. It's a perfect candidate for a day trip, so you won't need to worry about finding overnight accommodations. The majority of your journey, 86%, will be on highways, primarily I-75, with some stretches on Lithia Pinecrest Road and US 441. Expect to spend around $24 on fuel for this route. This highway-focused drive offers a practical way to travel between two points within Florida, making it a convenient option for many travelers.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

71.7 miles from Pinecrest, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 27m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 49m. Total distance: 143.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (86%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 86% of the drive taking place on major roads. You'll spend a significant amount of time on I-75, including the longest uninterrupted stretch of 115.9 miles. While I-75 offers efficiency, the sections on Lithia Pinecrest Road and US 441 might offer a slight change of pace before you merge back onto faster highways. This drive is characterized by its focus on covering distance quickly rather than extensive scenic detours.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 75 is the longest continuous segment at about 115.9 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

178 ft 33 ft

Total Climb

273 ft

Total Descent

204 ft

Highest Point

178 ft

~143.3 mi in

Elevation Range

144 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Lithia Pinecrest Road. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Lithia Pinecrest Road.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 2h 49m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (Lithia Pinecrest Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 13.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.9 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Lithia Pinecrest Road

Turn left onto Lithia Pinecrest Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
6
13.7 mi into trip | ~23m in

Take the exit toward I 75 North: Ocala

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 75 North: Ocala
5
14.9 mi into trip | ~26m in | I 75

Merge onto I 75

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
130.7 mi into trip | ~2h 30m in

Take the exit toward CR 234: Micanopy

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 374 Toward CR 234: Micanopy
5
132.3 mi into trip | ~2h 33m in

Turn left

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Pinecrest, FL to Gainesville, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Cr 234: Micanopy along the way.

Cr 234: Micanopy

130.7 mi in | ~2h 30m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 75 115.9 mi 2h 4m
Lithia Pinecrest Road 10.9 mi 18m
US 441 8 mi 9m
East Brandon Boulevard 2.8 mi 4m
South Main Street 2.4 mi 4m
Southeast County Road 234 1.3 mi 2m
Southwest Williston Road 0.5 mi 1m
South County Road 39 <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 75 — 115.9 mi, about 2h 4m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Pinecrest, FL and Gainesville, FL.

1

Start on CR 39

128 ft · 10 sec · South County Road 39
2

Turn left onto Lithia Pinecrest Road

11 mi · 18 min · Lithia Pinecrest Road
Use the straight lane.
3

Turn left onto FL 60

2.8 mi · 4 min · East Brandon Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
4

Take the exit

1.2 mi · 2 min
Toward I 75 North: Ocala Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Merge onto I 75

116 mi · 2 hr 4 min · I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Exit 374 Toward CR 234: Micanopy Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Turn right onto CR 234

1.3 mi · 2 min · Southeast County Road 234
8

Turn left

421 ft · 15 sec
Use the left lane.
9

Turn straight onto US 441

8.0 mi · 9 min · US 441
Use the straight lane.
10

Turn right onto FL 331

0.5 mi · 1 min · Southwest Williston Road
Use the right lane.
11

Turn left onto CR 329

1.6 mi · 2 min · South Main Street
12

Enter roundabout onto CR 329

92 ft · 1 sec · South Main Street
13

Continue on CR 329

0.2 mi · 32 sec · South Main Street
14

Enter roundabout onto CR 329

177 ft · 3 sec · South Main Street
15

Continue on CR 329

0.5 mi · 1 min · South Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
16

Arrive at destination

CR 329

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of under 3 hours, you have the flexibility to leave Pinecrest at your convenience. A morning departure will allow you to arrive in Gainesville with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop and a manageable fuel cost of $24, you can easily complete this trip without extensive planning. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 115.9-mile stretch on I-75, to ensure you don't need to make an unplanned stop. You should be able to reach Gainesville comfortably in one go.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 71.7 miles from Pinecrest, FL, or about 1h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 115.9 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 80 miles or 1h 36m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 71.7 miles or 1h 27m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 16m

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 Pinecrest, 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 Pinecrest, FL

This is one driving day of about 143.3 miles and 2h 49m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Pinecrest, 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 I 75 for about 115.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 71.7 mi from Pinecrest, FL · 1h 27m into the drive

city in Polk County, Florida, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lakeland, FL

72 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

Lakeland, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lakeland, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 71.7 miles from Pinecrest, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 115.9 miles.

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.

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

$22.81 one way

$45.62 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 50 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.40 $24.81 $49.62
premium $4.72 $26.65 $53.29
diesel $5.61 $31.64 $63.28

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$48–$73

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 50.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

49 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Ionna Charging Station

Wesley Chapel, Florida

Other

1 DCFC

EvGateway Charging Station

Reddick, Florida

Other

1 DCFC

Blink Charging Station

Gainesville, Florida

Blink

1 DCFC

Hampton Inn Charging Station

Gainesville, Florida

Other

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Gainesville, Florida

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

Blink Charging Station

Gainesville, Florida

Blink

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Gainesville, Florida

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Gainesville, Florida

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

ChargePoint: 19 Other: 12 Blink: 7 Tesla: 4 Tesla Destination: 4 Electrify America: 2 Shell Recharge: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 43 0 $15.05 $6.88
Efficient EV 35.8 0 $12.54 $5.73
EV Truck/SUV 57.3 0 $20.06 $9.17

Gas CO2

50 kg

EV CO2

17 kg (66% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Pinecrest, FL

Afternoon in Pinecrest on Thursday

Local time

3:31 PM

EDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Gainesville, FL

Afternoon in Gainesville on Thursday

Local time

3:31 PM

EDT

Current temp

81°F

Unavailable

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.

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 warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 49m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Pinecrest, FL to Gainesville, FL covers 143.3 miles and takes about 2h 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, Lithia Pinecrest Road, US 441. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 71.7 miles from Pinecrest, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.81 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 2h 49m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Lithia Pinecrest Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 13.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.9 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Pinecrest, FL to Gainesville, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Cr 234: Micanopy along the way.

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