Where is Gainesville, Florida, USA?

Written and Fact-checked by | Updated On: April 28, 2026 | 14:51 ET

Where is Gainesville Located? - Gainesville is a city located in the Alachua County of Florida, United States. Gainesville lies between 32.1155 Degrees North latitudes and 81.2471 Degrees West longitudes.

Location Map of Gainesville, Florida

Where is Gainesville, Florida

Gainesville Map, Florida, USA

Where is Gainesville?: The Google Map showing the location of Gainesville in the U.S. state of Florida.

Where is Gainesville Located?

Gainesville is a city located in the Alachua County of Florida, United States. Gainesville lies between 32.1155 Degrees North latitudes and 81.2471 Degrees West longitudes. According to 2020 U.S.census, the population of Gainesville city is 141085 people and the city has a total area of 63.07 sq mi. The city has numerous parks and recreational facilities.

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Gainesville, Florida Quick Facts

PropertyInformation
CityGainesville
CountyAlachua County
StateFlorida
State CapitalTallahassee
US RegionSouth
Latitude29.6516°N
Longitude82.3248°W
Elevation177 ft (54 m)
Land Area62.30 sq mi
Water Area1.40 sq mi
Total Area63.70 sq mi
Population (2020 Census)145,812
Population Density2,340 per sq mi
ZIP Codes32601, 32603, 32605, 32606, 32607, 32608, 32609, 32611, 32612, 32627, 32635, 32641, 32653
Area Code352
Time Zone StandardEastern Standard Time (EST, UTC−5)
Time Zone DaylightEastern Daylight Time (EDT, UTC−4)
CurrencyUnited States Dollar (USD)
FIPS Code12-25175
Congressional DistrictFlorida's 3rd Congressional District

Nearby Cities to Gainesville, Florida

  • Alachua, Florida - Northwest - 15 mi
  • Newberry, Florida - West - 18 mi
  • High Springs, Florida - Northwest - 21 mi
  • Hawthorne, Florida - East - 20 mi
  • Archer, Florida - Southwest - 14 mi
  • Waldo, Florida - Northeast - 15 mi
  • Ocala, Florida - Southeast - 39 mi
  • Palatka, Florida - East - 47 mi
  • Lake City, Florida - Northwest - 47 mi
  • Jacksonville, Florida - Northeast - 72 mi

Driving Distances from Gainesville, Florida

CityStateDistance (mi)Approx. Drive Time
ArcherFlorida1420 minutes
AlachuaFlorida1520 minutes
WaldoFlorida1520 minutes
NewberryFlorida1825 minutes
HawthorneFlorida2030 minutes
High SpringsFlorida2130 minutes
OcalaFlorida3945 minutes
PalatkaFlorida471 hour
Lake CityFlorida4755 minutes
JacksonvilleFlorida721 hour 30 minutes

Transportation and Connectivity in Gainesville, Florida

ModeDetails
Airport NameGainesville Regional Airport
IATA CodeGNV
PortPort of Jacksonville (regional)
Major HighwaysInterstate 75, U.S. Highway 441, U.S. Highway 301, State Road 20, State Road 24, State Road 26
Train/Amtrak ServiceNearest Amtrak station is Palatka
Local Bus/Transit ServiceRegional Transit System (RTS)
  • Interstate 75 provides direct connections to Ocala, Tampa, Lake City, and the rest of Florida.
  • U.S. Highway 441 runs through Gainesville, linking the city with Ocala, Jacksonville, and northern Georgia.
  • State Roads 20, 24, and 26 connect Gainesville with surrounding communities throughout North Central Florida.
  • Regional Transit System (RTS) operates extensive local bus services, including routes serving the University of Florida and major commercial districts.

What are top Places to Visit in Gainesville, Florida

Landmark NameType
Florida Museum of Natural HistoryMuseum
Butterfly RainforestNature Exhibit
Kanapaha Botanical GardensBotanical Garden
Paynes Prairie Preserve State ParkState Park
University of Florida CampusUniversity Campus
Ben Hill Griffin StadiumFootball Stadium
Devil's Millhopper Geological State ParkState Park
Sweetwater Wetlands ParkNature Park
Cade Museum for Creativity and InventionMuseum
Depot ParkUrban Park

Colleges and Universities in Gainesville, Florida

Institution NameTypeLevelNotable For
University of FloridaPublicUniversityFlagship research university with nationally ranked academic and medical programs
Santa Fe CollegePublicCommunity CollegeUniversity transfer, workforce education, and health sciences
City College – Gainesville CampusPrivateCollegeHealthcare and business education
University of Florida College of Veterinary MedicinePublicProfessional SchoolVeterinary medicine, research, and clinical care
Alachua County Public SchoolsPublicK–12 DistrictPublic education serving Gainesville and surrounding communities

Waterbodies in Gainesville, Florida

Newnans Lake, Paynes Prairie, Orange Lake, Lochloosa Lake, Hogtown Creek, Sweetwater Branch, Santa Fe River, Lake Alice

Golf Courses in Gainesville, Florida

Mark Bostick Golf Course, Gainesville Country Club, Hawkstone Country Club, Ironwood Golf Course, Turkey Creek Golf & Country Club, Meadowbrook Golf Club

Gainesville, Florida — Key Historical Facts

  • Gainesville was established in 1854 and named in honor of General Edmund P. Gaines, a distinguished U.S. Army officer.
  • The city became the permanent home of the University of Florida in 1906, transforming Gainesville into one of the state's leading education and research centers.
  • Agriculture, timber, phosphate mining, and the railroad played major roles in the city's early economic development.
  • Throughout the twentieth century, Gainesville experienced rapid growth driven by higher education, healthcare, biotechnology, and scientific research.
  • Today, Gainesville is recognized for its world-class university, innovative research institutions, vibrant arts scene, extensive parks, and diverse natural attractions throughout North Central Florida.

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