How Far is Sarasota from Orlando?

Recently updated on December 24th, 2025 at 10:50 am

All the travel enthusiasts keep on exploring new places to travel to and visit. Among all the famous states of America, Florida is one of the most prominent states for tourists. The Sunshine State is famous for its stunning beaches, endless sunshine, and theme parks. There are several cities in the state, but if you are in Orlando and planning on visiting Sarasota next, you are at the right place. This travel blog will guide you on how far Sarasota is from Orlando and how you can travel from Orlando to Sarasota. So let’s get started!

How to Travel from Orlando to Sarasota?

Orlando and Sarasota are two of the famous cities in Florida. There are mainly three ways to travel between the two cities. You can travel by your car, use the bus, or travel by train. The time duration, distance, and travel cost may vary with each option. You can choose the one which is most suitable for you. Keep reading as we uncover the specifics of traveling by each travel means.

How Far is Sarasota from Orlando?

As mentioned earlier, the distance and time to travel from Orlando to Sarasota varies by car, bus, or train. Here are the details for traveling by each mode of transport:

Traveling by Car

If you are traveling by car, Sarasota is 131.2 miles far from Orlando via I-4 W and I-75 S. It takes about 1 hour and 55 minutes to reach Sarasota. If you take another route via I-75 S, Sarasota is 167.1 miles from Orlando. The travel duration is slightly longer and takes approximately 2 hours and 31 minutes to reach. The fuel cost for driving your car is around $24 to $34.

Traveling by Bus

Another way to travel from Orlando to Sarasota is to take the bus from Orlando and arrive at Fruitville Rd @ N Lime Ave in Sarasota. The travel distance while traveling by bus is 253km, and the travel time is 4 hours and 47 minutes. The cost of bus tickets varies with each bus service. Amtrak and Sarasota County Area Transit operate most buses. The cost varies between $3 to $80. Usually, seven buses run every week from Orlando to Sarasota.

Traveling by Train

The train ride from Orlando to Sarasota takes about 5 hours and 16 minutes—the train ticket costs between US $14 to $119. The train takes you from Orlando to Tampa in about 2 hours and 8 minutes. This train leaves once daily. Once you reach Tampa, take a local bus and reach the Tampa Bus Station via Nebraska Ave and Marion Transit Centre. FlixBus service operates from the Tampa Bus Station and takes you to Sarasota Cattlemen Transfer Centre in 1 hour and 4 minutes. This bus ride costs about US $6 to $40.

Directions from Orlando to Sarasota

Following are the directions from Orlando to Sarasota if you take the shortest route via I-4 W and I-75 S while traveling by car:

• Head west on E South St toward S Orange Ave
• Turn left to merge onto I-4 Express
• Merge onto I-4 Express
• Keep left at the fork to stay on the I-4 Express
• Merge onto I-4 W
• Take exit 9 to merge onto I-75 S toward Naples
• Take exit 210 toward Sarasota/St. Armands
• Merge onto Fruitville Rd
• Continue straight to stay on Fruitville Rd
• Turn left onto N Washington Blvd

Then you will enter Sarasota, Florida, USA.

Stops Between Orlando and Sarasota

While driving between the two cities, I noticed that several places and cities are worth visiting. Here is a list of all the best stops to make while traveling from Orlando to Sarasota:

• Tampa
• Clearwater
• Kissimmee
• Siesta Key
• Winter Haven

• St. Petersburg
• Tarpon Springs
• Clermont
• Bradenton
• St. Pete Beach

Where to Stay in Sarasota?

Once in Sarasota, you will wonder where to stay in this beautiful city. Don’t worry; we have got you covered. We have compiled a list of the top ten hotels in Sarasota where you can stay with your family and friends. All these hotels range from 4-star to 5-star luxurious hotels and resorts.

• The Westin Sarasota
• Hyatt Regency Sarasota
• The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota
• Carlisle Inn
• Golden Host Resort
• Siesta Key Palms Resort

• Ramada by Wyndham Sarasota Waterfront
• The Sarasota Modern, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
• DoubleTree by Hilton Sarasota Bradenton Airport
• Aloft Sarasota

Conclusion

Visiting Florida is incomplete without traveling to Orlando and Sarasota. There are different transport options available to travel to Sarasota from Orlando. Sarasota is approximately 131.2 miles from Orlando. Traveling by car takes around 2 hours. On the other hand, traveling via the bus and train takes about 4 hours and 47 minutes and 5 hours and 16 minutes, respectively. The cost of travel varies for each option, so be sure to choose the one that suits you best. We hope that our guide helped you make that decision.