Driving from Jacksonville Airport to Gainesville

The drive from Jacksonville Airport to Gainesville is approximately 85 miles, and typically takes between 1.5 and 2 hours.

There is only one road from the passenger terminal. Just past the first light (and right before the road passes under a bridge) turn right onto the ramp for I-95 (South).

Once on I-95, stay in the right lane because after only a mile you will exit onto I-295 (South), heading counter-clockwise around Jacksonville's version of the Beltway. Stay on I-295 for roughly 17 miles, until you reach I-10 (West), marked to Tallahassee.

After approximately 13 miles, leave I-10 at Exit 50 (U.S. 301 and Baldwin). Stay right at the fork in the exit ramp, joining U.S. 301 (South). Follow this road for about 37 miles, passing through the towns of Lawtey and Starke, until you reach Waldo. Here you fork right onto S.R. 24 (Gainesville) at the point where U.S. 301 continues on to Ocala. Take S.R. 24 for 10 miles to the outskirts of Gainesville.

As you approach Gainesville, you will pass through a light at NW 53 Ave, then see the airport perimeter on your left. At the next light, turn right onto NE 39 Ave (S.R. 222). Take this road to its intersection with NW 13 St, a distance of 2-3 miles. (You will pass through lights at the intersections with NE 15 St, N Main St and NW 6 St before reaching NW 13 St.)

Turn left onto NW 13 St and follow it for about 2.5 miles until you approach the light at W University Ave. University Avenue is equivalent to NW 0 Avenue, so it is fairly easy to count down the crossing streets between NW 39th Ave and W University Ave.

The University of Florida campus begins on the southwest corner of the intersection between W University Ave and NW 13 St.

The Holiday Inn-University Center is located at the northeast corner of the same intersection, so it will be on your left-hand side as you approach the light. It is easiest to enter the parking lot from NW 13 St, turning left about 50 yards before the light. If you drive past this entry, turn left at the light, and then left again after another 50 yards.