Major city · United States
Live OakLive Oak, Florida
Give Live Oak one night as an I-10 stopover: see the historic depot and courthouse, eat at Dixie Grill, then push on to Suwannee River State Park.
Live Oak is a small Suwannee County town on I-10 in North Central Florida, about 1.5 h from Gainesville and 2 h from Jacksonville. Its draw is a compact National Register historic core and the Suwannee River country west of town. Most travellers use it as a single night between the Gulf and the Atlantic, or as a base for the river.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jun–Sep (heat, humidity, storm season)
- Airports
- GNV · JAX · MCO · 24J
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Live Oak911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Suwannee County Sheriff (non-emergency)386-362-2222
- Florida Poison Information Center800-222-1222
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Live Oak, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyLow street crime for a US small town, but poverty is a real local issue and the motel strip is car-dependent.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 386-362-2222 Suwannee County Sheriff (non-emergency) · 800-222-1222 Florida Poison Information Center
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportGNV Gainesville Regional (About 1 h 15 min by car via US-441 and I-75; the closest useful commercial airport.).
- Getting aroundA car is effectively required: the historic core, the motel strip and Suwannee River State Park are 8–15 km (5–9.3 mi) apart and there is no useful local bus.A car is effectively required: the historic core, the motel strip and Suwannee River State Park are 5–9.3 mi (8–15 km) apart and there is no useful local bus.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee and a diner breakfast$8–15
- Street or quick mealDeli sandwich or pasta plate$10–18
- BeerBeer at a bar$5–8
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–30
- Museum or sight ticketState park vehicle entry$5
- Budget bedBudget motel room on US-129, a night, per roomUS$70
- Mid-range bedBudget motel room on US-129, a night, per roomUS$95
- High-end bedBudget motel room on US-129, a night, per roomUS$130
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$120 · High US$220
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- GNV Gainesville Regional (About 1 h 15 min by car via US-441 and I-75; the closest useful commercial airport.) · JAX Jacksonville International (About 2 h by car via I-10 and I-295.) · MCO Orlando International (About 2 h 45 min by car via I-75 and Florida's Turnpike; the main regional gateway.) · 24J Suwannee County Airport (General aviation only, just north of town; no scheduled service.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Feb
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Mar
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Apr
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
May
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jun
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Nov
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Dec
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Best: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jun–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Jun (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C) low), wettest Jul (15 rain days), driest Nov (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Live Oak: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
8 rd
Feb
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
8 rd
Mar
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
8 rd
Apr
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
7 rd
May
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
7 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
13 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
15 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11 rd
Oct
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7 rd
Nov
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
6 rd
Dec
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
7 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is effectively required: the historic core, the motel strip and Suwannee River State Park are 8–15 km apart and there is no useful local bus. Downtown is walkable once parked. I-10 bypasses town to the north; US-129 (Ohio Avenue) is the main link.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Suwannee River State Park
goDoor to door: About 25 min
Car west on US-90, then 201st Path
$5 per vehicle; open 8:00 to sunset; canoeing, trails and a campground.$5 per vehicle; open 8:00 AM to sunset; canoeing, trails and a campground.
Ellaville ghost town
cautionDoor to door: About 25 min
Car west on US-90, just past the river
Little remains above ground; combine with the state park in one loop.
Lake City
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Car southeast on US-90 and I-75
Similar-sized town with more services and food.
Gainesville
goDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
Car south on US-129 and I-75
Best full-day option for museums, food and an airport.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
US-129 near I-10
Motel strip with the Econo Lodge, Holiday Inn Express and Quality Inn; best for a car-based one-night stop.
Downtown / Ohio Avenue
Historic core near the courthouse and museum; very few beds, so book ahead or stay on the strip.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–90 excl. bed
- Mid
- $90–150 excl. bed
- High
- $150+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range chain hotel room1 × 1 night × US$140 | US$140 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$120 | US$240 |
| Suwannee River State Park vehicle entry1 × US$5 | US$5 |
| Fuel, about 200 km of local driving1 × US$25 · check | US$25 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$44 |
| Trip total≈ US$242 per person per day, bed included | US$484 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee and a diner breakfast | $8–15 |
| Deli sandwich or pasta plate | $10–18 |
| Beer at a bar | $5–8 |
| Fuel, per US galloncheck | $3.00–3.60 |
| State park vehicle entry | $5 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $10–30 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer heat and humidity are severe; plan outdoor stops before 11:00.Summer heat and humidity are severe; plan outdoor stops before 11:00 AM.
- Storm season runs Jun–Nov; the town flooded badly in 1964 and 2012, and low-lying river roads can close.
- The motel strip is on US-129 north of town, not downtown; without a car you are stranded.
- Some downtown buildings and the museum keep limited or seasonal hours: check before driving out.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Suwannee County Sheriff (non-emergency)
- 386-362-2222
- Florida Poison Information Center
- 800-222-1222
Pocket card
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Live OakLive Oak, Florida
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Suwannee County Sheriff (non-emergency)386-362-2222
- Poison control800-222-1222
Embassy
No embassies in Live Oak; consulates are in Miami, Atlanta and Orlando. US visitors: your embassy or consulate is in Washington, DC.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- I-10 to downtown Live Oak, US-129: about 8 km (5 mi), 10 min by carabout 5 mi (8 km), 10 min by car
- Live Oak to Suwannee River State Park: about 25 min by car
- Live Oak to Gainesville: about 1 h 15 min by car
Say or show
- Where is I-10? — Where is the interstate?
- Is this the road to Suwannee River State Park? — Is this the road to the state park?
- Do you take cards? — Can I pay by card?
- Table for two, please. — Is there a table for two?
- Where is the restroom? — Where is the restroom?
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Live Oak. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jun–Sep (heat, humidity, storm season) · month by month →
- 4 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for GNV and JAX: last-drive times, taxi and rideshare fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking cluster for downtown Ohio Avenue with verified museum and courthouse hours.
- Eat pages for Dixie Grill and Pomodoro with last orders and closed days.
- Storm and flood fixtures so river-road closures can go green.