The Paddock Mall in Ocala is only about half an hour away via I-75, but it's also not very big. It has a Belks, which TV also has near Spanish Springs, plus a JC Penny, Macys and Sears. If you were just wanting to go to a JC Penny store, the one in Clermont 25 miles south is a little nicer and newer than the Paddock Mall location.
Store Directory For Paddock Mall Ocala, FL
We prefer to drive to Gainesville, take the third exit off I-75 Newberry Rd. east to Oaks Mall a couple of blocks on the right. It's as big as any Orlando Mall but more laid back and not many tourist, the only negative is it doesn't have much selection in the food court. Here's a diagram below.
The Oaks Mall Gainesville, Florida
If you want something different, just about an hour south on the Turnpike is Florida Mall at the Orange Blossom Trail exit. It has a big food court but apparently not big enough. The Saks store closed and they are building a food court twice the size of the old one. It has a lot of tourist and you'll hear just about every language spoken.
The Florida Mall Orlando, FL
Florida Mall current food court, the mall map isn't quite right since they have construction going on.
If you want some really high end stores and prices, go to Mall at Millenia. It's also about an hour south. Take the Turnpike to I-4 east and then the first exit to the right, you'll see the mall directly next to I-4. It's also very close to Universal Studios.
The Mall at Millenia Orlando, FL
If you want an outdoor mall, go south on I-75 for about an hour to Wesley Chapel. It's the Shops at Wiregrass, very nice and fairly new but since it's outdoors it can get rather hot. It's also near Tampa, so if you're into gambling the Seminole Hardrock Casino is a little further south. Not far from the casino is Brandon Mall, it is nice and fairly new and not many tourist.
The Shops at Wiregrass :: 28211 Paseo Drive Wesley Chapel, FL
There are also two nice Outlet Malls on Int'l Drive in Orlando. One on the north end near Universal and the other about ten miles south near Disney, both are right off the interstate. I found the southern location had more high end shops, both get very crowded and hot since they are outdoors.