Where is Gainesville, Texas, USA?

Written and Fact-checked by | Last Updated On: March 11, 2026

Where is Gainesville, Texas Located in the United States? - Gainesville is a city located in the Cooke County of Texas, United States. Gainesville lies between 33.6259 Degrees North latitudes and -97.1331 Degrees West longitudes.

Location Map of Gainesville in Cooke County, Texas

Where is Gainesville, Texas

About Map: The map shows the location of Gainesville in the state of Texas, United States. Gainesville is a city in Cooke County, Texas.

Gainesville Map, Texas, USA

About Gainesville Map: This interactive Google Map shows the exact location of Gainesville in Texas, United States. You can zoom in or out, switch to satellite view, and explore nearby cities, roads, and local landmarks around Gainesville.

About Gainesville, Cooke County, Texas

Gainesville is a city located in Cooke County in the U.S. state of Texas, United States. The city was established in 1850 and was named after General Edmund P. Gaines, a United States Army officer who served during the early nineteenth century. Gainesville developed as an important commercial and transportation center in North Texas and serves as the county seat of Cooke County.

Population

According to the United States Census Bureau, the population of Gainesville is 17,394 as recorded in the 2020 Census, and the population density is approximately 950 people per square mile.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, Gainesville covers a total area of approximately 19.3 square miles (about 50.0 square kilometers), including about 19.2 square miles (49.7 square kilometers) of land and about 0.1 square miles (0.3 square kilometers) of water.

Location and Surroundings

Gainesville is located in north-central Texas and lies within Cooke County near the Red River, which forms the border between Texas and Oklahoma. The city sits along major regional transportation routes and serves as a gateway between the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area and southern Oklahoma.

Top Attractions

Gainesville features several historic landmarks, parks, and cultural attractions that reflect the city’s heritage. The downtown district includes historic architecture, while nearby recreational areas and lakes provide opportunities for outdoor activities and community events.

Transportation

Gainesville is served by Interstate 35 and U.S. Highway 82, which connect the city with the Dallas–Fort Worth region and neighboring states. The nearest major airport serving the region is Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.

Explore more cities and counties across Texas or view the complete USA States Map for additional geographic information.

Sources:

Population and area data sourced from the United States Census Bureau (2020 Census). General information referenced from local and regional government resources.

Most Viewed US Maps

USA MapUSA Region MapUSA Road Map
USA County MapWhere is USA in World Map?US ZIP Code Map
USA Time Zones MapUS State and Capitals MapUSA Physical Map

Gainesville, Texas City Facts

CityGainesville
StateTexas
CountyCooke County
CountryUnited States
RegionNorth Texas - Texoma Region
Incorporated1873
Founded1850
Total AreaApproximately 19.3 sq mi (50.0 km2)
Land AreaApproximately 19.3 sq mi (50.0 km2)
Water AreaApproximately 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
ElevationApproximately 735 ft (224 m)
Population (2023 estimate)Approximately 17,500+
Population (2020 Census)16,968
Population DensityApproximately 880 people per sq mi
Time ZoneCentral Time (UTC-6 / UTC-5 DST)
ZIP Codes76240, 76241
Area Code940
Major HighwaysInterstate 35, U.S. Highway 82, U.S. Highway 77
Public TransitLimited regional transportation services
Major AttractionsFrank Buck Zoo, Leonard Park, Morton Museum of Cooke County, Lake Texoma nearby
Official Websitehttps://www.gainesville.tx.us/

Distance from Gainesville in Cooke County, Texas to Other Cities in Texas

  • Denton, TX – 35 miles (56 km)
  • Sherman, TX – 35 miles (56 km)
  • Decatur, TX – 40 miles (64 km)
  • Lewisville, TX – 45 miles (72 km)
  • Frisco, TX – 55 miles (89 km)
  • Plano, TX – 65 miles (105 km)
  • McKinney, TX – 60 miles (97 km)
  • Arlington, TX – 75 miles (121 km)
  • Fort Worth, TX – 70 miles (113 km)
  • Dallas, TX – 75 miles (121 km)
  • Wichita Falls, TX – 90 miles (145 km)
  • Paris, TX – 95 miles (153 km)
  • Tyler, TX – 140 miles (225 km)
  • Waco, TX – 145 miles (233 km)
  • Abilene, TX – 200 miles (322 km)
  • Austin, TX – 230 miles (370 km)
  • San Antonio, TX – 300 miles (483 km)
  • Houston, TX – 300 miles (483 km)
  • Lubbock, TX – 330 miles (531 km)
  • Amarillo, TX – 360 miles (579 km)

Driving Distances from Gainesville, Texas

CityStateDistance (mi)Approx. Drive Time
CallisburgTexas710 minutes
Valley ViewTexas1012 minutes
LindsayTexas1318 minutes
MuensterTexas1620 minutes
WhitesboroTexas1722 minutes
SangerTexas2225 minutes
ArdmoreOklahoma3435 minutes
DentonTexas3640 minutes
ShermanTexas3845 minutes
DallasTexas721 hour 20 minutes

Transportation and Connectivity in Gainesville, Texas

ModeDetails
Airport NameGainesville Municipal Airport
IATA CodeGLE
PortNot Applicable
Major HighwaysInterstate 35, U.S. Highway 82, U.S. Highway 77, Farm to Market Road 1202
Train/Amtrak ServiceAmtrak Heartland Flyer (Gainesville Station)
Local Bus/Transit ServiceNorth Central Texas regional transportation services
  • Interstate 35 connects Gainesville with Dallas, Denton, Oklahoma City, and other major regional destinations.
  • U.S. Highway 82 provides east-west access to Sherman, Wichita Falls, and northern Texas communities.
  • U.S. Highway 77 serves as an important north-south route through the city and connects with nearby Oklahoma.
  • Amtrak's Heartland Flyer provides daily passenger rail service between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth, with a stop in Gainesville.

What are top Places to Visit in Gainesville, Texas

Landmark NameType
Frank Buck ZooZoo
Morton Museum of Cooke CountyHistory Museum
Leonard ParkCity Park
State TheaterHistoric Theater
Santa Fe Depot MuseumRailroad Museum
Lake KiowaRecreation Area
Moss LakeLake & Park
Ray Roberts Lake State ParkState Park
Cooke County CourthouseHistoric Landmark
Downtown GainesvilleHistoric District

Colleges and Universities in Gainesville, Texas

Institution NameTypeLevelNotable For
North Central Texas CollegePublicCommunity CollegeAcademic transfer, technical education, and workforce training
University of North TexasPublicUniversityResearch, business, music, and engineering programs
Texas Woman's UniversityPublicUniversityHealth sciences, education, and graduate studies
Midwestern State UniversityPublicUniversityLiberal arts and professional education
Gainesville Independent School DistrictPublicK–12 DistrictPublic education serving Gainesville

Waterbodies in Gainesville, Texas

Moss Lake, Red River, Elm Fork Trinity River, Lake Kiowa, Ray Roberts Lake, Clear Creek, Timber Creek, Fish Creek

Golf Courses in Gainesville, Texas

Gainesville Golf Club, Turtle Hill Golf Course, Oak Meadows Golf Course, WinStar Golf Club, Lake Kiowa Golf Course, Bridlewood Golf Club

Gainesville, Texas — Key Historical Facts

  • Gainesville was founded in 1850 and named after General Edmund P. Gaines, a respected U.S. Army officer.
  • The arrival of the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad in the late nineteenth century transformed the city into a major transportation and trade center for North Texas.
  • During the twentieth century, agriculture, livestock, oil, manufacturing, and commerce became important contributors to the local economy.
  • Gainesville earned recognition as the "Medal of Honor Host City" in 1999 for its commitment to honoring recipients of the United States' highest military decoration.
  • Today, Gainesville is known for its historic downtown, educational institutions, outdoor recreation, and strategic location along Interstate 35 near the Texas–Oklahoma border.

References

Texas Maps and Info

Texas County MapMap of Texas CitiesTexas Blank MapTexas River MapTexas Map
Where TexasWhere is LubbockWhere is WacoAirports in TexasTexas Zipcodes
Where is DallasWhere is Fort WorthWhere is ArlingtonWhere is AustinWhere is Corpus Christi
Where is El PasoWhere is GarlandWhere is HoustonWhere is iIrvingWhere is Laredo