Ocala to St. Augustine
St. Augustine is about 82 miles northeast of Ocala, a drive of roughly 1 hour 40 minutes on SR-40, SR-19 and SR-207. Founded in 1565, America's oldest city has a Spanish stone fort, a walkable historic district, Gilded Age hotels and Atlantic beaches, all within day trip range of Marion County.
By the Only In Ocala editorial team. Drive distances and times were checked on Google Maps on October 12, 2026; fees, hours and addresses come from the National Park Service, the City of St. Augustine, Florida State Parks and each attraction's own website, listed at the bottom of this page. See our editorial guidelines.
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How far is St. Augustine from Ocala by car?
St. Augustine is about 82 miles northeast of Ocala by road. The fastest route runs SR-40 East, CR-314 to Salt Springs, SR-19 North through Palatka and SR-207 into St. Augustine, and takes about 1 hour 40 minutes without delays. No interstates or tolls are involved, and the return trip is the same route reversed.
| Route | Distance | Drive time | Main roads |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fastest: SR-19 via Palatka | 82.4 miles | ~1 hr 39 min | SR-40 E, CR-314, SR-19 N, SR-207 N |
| US-301 via Citra | 83.6 miles | ~1 hr 40 min | US-301 N, CR-318, CR-315, CR-310, SR-19 N, SR-207 N |
| Coastal: SR-40 to US-1 | 102 miles | ~1 hr 57 min | SR-40 E, US-1 N |
- Take SR-40 (East Silver Springs Boulevard) east from downtown Ocala for about 10 miles.
- Follow NE Highway 314 (CR-314) about 18 miles to SR-19 in Salt Springs.
- Continue north on SR-19 through Palatka, then take SR-207 north about 53 miles in total to Malaga Street in St. Augustine.
- Drive the last half mile to King Street in the historic district.
Tip: The SR-40 and CR-314 stretch crosses the rural Ocala National Forest, so fill up in Ocala before leaving.
- Take US-301 north from downtown Ocala about 17 miles to East Highway 318 (Spring Street) in Citra.
- Follow CR-318, CR-315 and CR-310 about 27 miles east to SR-19 in Putnam County.
- Continue north on SR-19, then take SR-207 north about 40 miles to Malaga Street and King Street in St. Augustine.
Tip: This route adds about a mile and a couple of minutes and avoids the SR-40 and CR-314 stretch through the Ocala National Forest, so it is a good choice if that road is slowed.
Why Visit St. Augustine
St. Augustine is the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the continental United States. It combines Spanish colonial history, Gilded Age architecture and a working downtown in a compact, walkable package.
460+ Years of History
Pedro Menéndez de Avilés founded St. Augustine on September 8, 1565, 42 years before Jamestown and 55 years before the Pilgrims reached Plymouth.
Walkable Historic District
The Castillo, St. George Street, Flagler College (74 King Street) and the Lightner Museum (75 King Street) are a few blocks apart. Park once at the Cordova Street garage and explore on foot.
Beach & History Combo
Anastasia Island sits across the Matanzas River from downtown. Anastasia State Park there has 4 miles of protected Atlantic shoreline, so a morning of sightseeing can end with an afternoon on the beach.
St. Augustine History in Brief
Spanish admiral Pedro Menéndez de Avilés landed with about 600 settlers and founded St. Augustine on September 8, 1565, according to the City of St. Augustine. Native American groups had lived in the area for thousands of years before that.
The Spanish began the stone Castillo de San Marcos in 1672 and declared it finished in 1695, according to the National Park Service. When British forces attacked in 1702, the rest of the town was leveled, but the fort held, which is why it is the oldest surviving structure from the city's early period.
Henry Flagler turned St. Augustine into a winter resort in the 1880s. His Hotel Ponce de Leon (1888) is now Flagler College, and his Hotel Alcazar (1888) became the Lightner Museum after Otto Lightner bought the building in 1947 and gave it to the city.
Best Things to Do in St. Augustine
From a 17th-century Spanish fort to evening ghost walks, these are the stops that fit a day trip from Ocala. Hours and prices change, so check each site before you leave.
Castillo de San Marcos
The National Park Service describes the Castillo as the oldest masonry fortification in the continental United States. The Spanish broke ground in 1672 and declared it finished in 1695. Entry is $15 per adult (16 and older), children 15 and under are free, and cannon-firing demonstrations run five times a day Friday through Sunday. Address: 1 South Castillo Drive.
St. George Street
The pedestrian street at the center of the historic district, lined with shops, restaurants, galleries and colonial-era buildings. It starts near the City Gate across from the Castillo. Walking it is free; budget for food and shopping.
Flagler College (former Hotel Ponce de Leon)
Henry Flagler built the Hotel Ponce de Leon in 1888; it is now Flagler College. The college runs daily guided historic tours of about 45 to 60 minutes that leave from the Rotunda at 74 King Street and stay on the ground floor of the former hotel, including the Dining Hall with its Louis Comfort Tiffany stained glass windows. The college sells tickets online and recommends buying ahead; any remaining same-day tickets are sold at the Tour Gift Shop at 74 King Street.
Lightner Museum
Housed in the former Hotel Alcazar, which Flagler also built in 1888. The hotel closed during the Depression, and in 1947 Otto Lightner bought the building and gave it to the city for his collection. The museum is at 75 King Street, across from Flagler College. Check the museum's site for current hours and admission.
St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum
The 1874 lighthouse on Anastasia Island has a 219-step spiral staircase to the top (climbers must be at least 44 inches tall). The museum lists hours of 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily from October 1 to February 28 and 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. from March 1 to September 30. GPS address: 100 Red Cox Drive.
Ghost Tours
Several private companies run evening walking tours through the historic district, built around the city's more than 460 years of history. Routes, prices and departure points vary by company, so compare a few before booking.
Ripley's Believe It or Not
Ripley's St. Augustine is at 19 San Marco Avenue, across from the Visitor Information Center at the north edge of the historic district. Oddities and interactive exhibits make it a family stop.
Anastasia State Park
More than 1,600 acres of beach, tidal marsh, hammock and dunes at 300 Anastasia Park Road. Florida State Parks lists hours of 8 a.m. to sunset daily and an $8-per-vehicle entrance fee. The park has 139 campsites, the Ancient Dunes Nature Trail, and kayak, paddleboard and bike rentals.
St. Augustine Alligator Farm
The St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park is at 999 Anastasia Boulevard on Anastasia Island, on the way from downtown to the lighthouse and the state park. Check its website for the day's hours.
Day Trip Itinerary: Ocala to St. Augustine
A full day in America's oldest city that still gets you back to Ocala in the early evening. Times assume the 1 hour 40 minute SR-19 route.
Depart Ocala
Fill the tank in Ocala, then head east on SR-40 toward Salt Springs and Palatka.
Arrive in St. Augustine
Park at the Historic Downtown Parking Facility, 1 Cordova Street, and stop in the Visitor Information Center next door for a map.
Castillo de San Marcos
Walk the gun deck and rooms. On Friday through Sunday, plan around one of the cannon-firing demonstrations. Allow 1 to 1.5 hours.
St. George Street & Historic District
Enter through the City Gate and walk the pedestrian street and the side streets around it.
Lunch Downtown
Eat on or near St. George Street or along the bayfront.
Flagler College & Lightner Museum
Take a Flagler College historic tour (book ahead) and cross King Street to the Lightner Museum. Allow about 2 hours for both.
Anastasia Island
Cross to Anastasia Island for the lighthouse climb or the beach at Anastasia State Park.
Head Home
Leave St. Augustine on SR-207 south toward Palatka, then SR-19 and CR-314 back to SR-40 West.
Arrive in Ocala
About 1 hour 40 minutes after leaving, depending on traffic and stops.
Tips for Your Trip
Parking Downtown
The Historic Downtown Parking Facility at 1 Cordova Street charges $20 per vehicle per entry from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and $5 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. City street meters and lots are $2.50 per hour with a 4-hour limit. The city notes that rates can change during special events.
Visitor Information Center
The Visitor Information Center at 10 South Castillo Drive sits in front of the city parking garage and across from Ripley's. It is a practical first stop for maps and visitor information.
Best Time to Visit
Spring and fall bring milder weather for walking. The 2026-2027 Nights of Lights runs November 21, 2026 through January 18, 2027 and draws the year's biggest crowds. Weekdays are less crowded than weekends year-round.
What to Wear
Wear comfortable walking shoes; the historic district has uneven brick and coquina surfaces. Bring sunscreen and a hat in warmer months, and pack a swimsuit if you plan an afternoon at the beach.
Fixed Costs to Plan For
For two adults: Castillo entry $30 ($15 each, card only), downtown garage $20, and Anastasia State Park $8 per vehicle if you add the beach. Children 15 and under enter the Castillo free. Walking St. George Street and the bayfront costs nothing.
Book Ahead
Flagler College sells historic tour tickets online, issues no physical tickets and recommends buying in advance because tour capacity is limited. Several other attractions offer online discounts, so check their sites the night before.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is St. Augustine from Ocala?
St. Augustine is about 82 miles northeast of Ocala by road. The fastest route Google Maps gives, SR-40 East, CR-314, SR-19 North through Palatka and SR-207 into St. Augustine, takes about 1 hour 40 minutes without traffic delays. The route uses state roads rather than interstates and has no tolls.
How long is the drive from St. Augustine back to Ocala?
The return drive from St. Augustine to Ocala is the same 82 miles and about 1 hour 40 minutes in reverse: SR-207 southwest to SR-19, south through Palatka to Salt Springs, then CR-314 and SR-40 West into Ocala. The alternate route on US-301 through Citra, then county roads to SR-19, is about 84 miles and also about 1 hour 40 minutes.
Is St. Augustine worth a day trip from Ocala?
Yes. Founded on September 8, 1565 by Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, St. Augustine is the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the continental United States. The Castillo de San Marcos, St. George Street, Flagler College and the Lightner Museum sit within a few blocks of each other, so one day covers the core of the historic district.
Where should I park in downtown St. Augustine?
The city-run Historic Downtown Parking Facility at 1 Cordova Street, next to the Visitor Information Center, charges $20 per vehicle per entry from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and $5 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., according to the City of St. Augustine. City street meters and lots charge $2.50 per hour with a 4-hour limit. Rates can change during special events.
How much does it cost to visit the Castillo de San Marcos?
The National Park Service charges $15 per adult age 16 and older, valid for seven consecutive days. Children 15 and under enter free with an adult. The Castillo does not accept cash, only credit and debit cards. Cannon-firing demonstrations run five times a day on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
When is Nights of Lights 2026 in St. Augustine?
The 2026-2027 Nights of Lights runs from Saturday, November 21, 2026 through Monday, January 18, 2027. Light-Up Night, the opening ceremony in the Plaza de la Constitución, is November 21. Viewing the lights is free. Expect the heaviest traffic and parking demand on weekend evenings during the season.
Can I combine St. Augustine with a beach visit?
Yes. Anastasia State Park, at 300 Anastasia Park Road on Anastasia Island, has 4 miles of protected Atlantic beach. Florida State Parks lists the hours as 8 a.m. to sunset every day and the entrance fee as $8 per vehicle. Many Ocala day-trippers spend the morning downtown and the afternoon at the beach.
Sources
Drive times and distances: Google Maps directions from Ocala to St. Augustine, checked October 12, 2026. Other facts on this page come from these official sources:
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