Rides from Gainesville to Tampa
With verified UF students. Share the ride and split the cost.
~130
miles
~2 h 10 m
by car
$54–66
bus average
~$6
gas each, 3 in a car
Bus: average, checked Oct 17, 2026 (Wanderu). Gas: AAA $4.06 a gallon, 28 mpg. Miles and times are estimates.
Find a ride to Tampa
Verified UF students post rides on this route in the app. Open it to see the next departures, the price per seat and the driver, then book a seat.
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Gainesville to Tampa: your options
Option
Price
Good to know
RideMate seat
Set by the driver, up to the cost cap
About 2 h 10 m. Cap: $0.76 a mile, split by the seats
Bus, average
$54.45–65.72, average, checked Oct 17, 2026 (Wanderu)
—
Drive alone
About $19 in gas
About $6 each with 3 in the car
Pickup
Rides often leave from campus spots like Reitz Union, Hume Hall or Butler Plaza. The driver confirms the exact pickup in the app, and you can message them once you book.
Safety
- Students with a checked school email and ID
- Pay only in the app
- Share your trip with family
- Women+ rides
Questions about this ride
How much is a ride from Gainesville to Tampa?
Drivers set the price per seat, capped at the trip’s cost at the IRS rate of $0.76 a mile, split by the seats. For about 130 miles, the cap is about $33 a seat with 3 seats.
Where do rides leave from?
Often from campus spots like Reitz Union, Hume Hall or Butler Plaza. The driver confirms the exact pickup in the app.
Who can ride?
Students with a school email from a supported Florida college or university. We check your student ID, usually within 2 hours.
What if the driver cancels?
You get everything back. Refunds reach your card in 5–10 business days.
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