Alafaya to Jacksonville is 143.6 miles and takes about 2h 47m via I 95 and I 4, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, making it a straightforward drive between two points in the same state. Given its relatively short duration and highway-focused profile, this route is well-suited for a single-day journey. You'll primarily be on major interstates, so expect efficient travel. Plan for a quick and easy transit with minimal fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
71.8 miles from Alafaya, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 25m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
86.1 mi
1h 34m
I 4
28.4 mi
30m
Seminole Expressway
16.5 mi
17m
East Colonial Drive
2 mi
3m
Dean Road
1.9 mi
3m
US 1
1.3 mi
3m
Rinehart Road
0.8 mi
1m
Central Florida GreeneWay
0.7 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 86.1 mi, about 1h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alafaya, FL and Jacksonville, FL.
1
Start on O'Berry Hoover Road
0.2 mi·51 sec·O'Berry Hoover Road
2
At end of road, turn left onto FL 50
2.0 mi·3 min·East Colonial Drive
Use the left lane.
3
Turn right onto Dean Road
1.9 mi·3 min·Dean Road
4
Turn left onto University Boulevard
0.1 mi·21 sec·University Boulevard
5
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward FL 417 Toll North: Sanford, Daytona Beach
6
Merge onto FL 417 Toll
0.7 mi·44 sec·Central Florida GreeneWay
7
Continue on FL 417 Toll
17 mi·17 min·Seminole Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 54Toward Rinehart RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn right onto Rinehart Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Rinehart Road
Use the right lane.
10
Turn left onto FL 46
0.3 mi·43 sec·West 1st Street
11
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 4 East: Daytona BeachUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 4
28 mi·30 min·I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·14 sec
Toward I 95: Miami, Jacksonville
14
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi·2 min
Toward I 95 North, US 92 North: Jacksonville
15
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 North: JacksonvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 95
86 mi·1 hr 34 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
1.1 mi·2 min
Toward US 90, US 1, FL 13: Downtown, Main Street, Acosta
18
Keep slight right at fork onto US 1; US 90
287 ft·6 sec·US 1; US 90
Toward US 90, US 1: Main Street, Ocean Street, Newnan Street, Prudential Drive
19
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1; US 90
1.2 mi·3 min·US 1; US 90
Toward US 90, US 1: Main Street, Ocean Street, Newnan StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn left
132 ft·11 sec
21
Turn right
121 ft·14 sec
22
At end of road, turn left onto US 90
104 ft·4 sec·Beaver Street
23
Turn right
175 ft·13 sec
24
At end of road, turn right
124 ft·11 sec
25
Turn right onto US 17
22 ft·0 sec·Union Street
26
Arrive at destination
US 17
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 47m duration, this trip is easily completed in one day, so you have flexibility with your departure time. Aiming to leave in the morning will ensure you arrive with plenty of daylight. The longest stretch without a major exit is 86.1 miles on I 95, so make sure you're fueled up before embarking on that segment. With a fuel cost estimated at $23, it's a budget-friendly journey. There's one recommended stop, so plan for a brief break to stretch your legs and stay refreshed.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 71.8 miles from Alafaya, FL, or about 1h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.1 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 32 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71.8 miles or 1h 25m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jacksonville, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Alafaya, FL so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Alafaya, FL
This is one driving day of about 143.6 miles and 2h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Alafaya, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 95 for about 86.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 22.1 and 142.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
22.1 mi into trip|~27m in
Take the exit toward Rinehart Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 54
Toward Rinehart Road
6
22.5 mi into trip|~28m in|Rinehart Road
Turn right onto Rinehart Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
52.6 mi into trip|~1h 3m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95: Miami, Jacksonville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 95: Miami, Jacksonville
7
54 mi into trip|~1h 5m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: Jacksonville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 North: Jacksonville
8
142.3 mi into trip|~2h 43m in|US 1; US 90
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1; US 90 toward US 90, US 1: Main Street, Ocean Street, Newnan Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 90, US 1: Main Street, Ocean Street,...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.86 one way
$45.71 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg50 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$24.86
$49.73
premium
$4.72
$26.70
$53.40
diesel
$5.61
$31.71
$63.41
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
43.1
0
$15.08
$6.89
Efficient EV
35.9
0
$12.57
$5.74
EV Truck/SUV
57.4
0
$20.10
$9.19
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Alafaya, FL
Morning
in Alafaya on Tuesday
Local time
6:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Jacksonville, FL
Morning
in Jacksonville on Tuesday
Local time
6:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 47m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Fort Matanzas National Monument
National Monument
Fort Matanzas National Monument preserves the fortified coquina watchtower, completed in 1742, which defended the southern approach to the Spanish military settlement of St. Augustine. It also protect...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 89.1
Built by the Spanish in St. Augustine to defend Florida and the Atlantic trade route, Castillo de San Marcos National Monument preserves the oldest masonry fortification in the continental United Stat...
Discover a dynamic barrier island shaped by dunes, coastal hammocks, and Mosquito Lagoon. Walk among ancient Timucua shell mounds and connect with thousands of years of human history. Immerse yourself...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 92% of the route utilizing major interstates. You'll spend most of your time on I 95 and I 4, including the Seminole Expressway. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a significant 86.1 miles on I 95, meaning you can cover substantial ground without much deviation. The character of the drive is predominantly fast-paced interstate travel, designed for covering distance efficiently. Expect a consistent driving experience with limited opportunities for scenic detours.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 86.1 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and I 4. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 22.1 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 143.6 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 22.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.5 miles (Rinehart Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 52.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Jacksonville occupies one of the most coveted spots on the Atlantic coast. Set amongst abundant beaches and possessing an ideal subtropical climate, its crown jewel is the unique habitat and natural beauty of the St. Johns River. For this reason and more, "The River City" is a popular destination for vacationers looking for a laid-back Sunshine State escape.
Top landmarks
•Fort Caroline — fort in Florida managed by the National Park Service
•Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville — museum in Jacksonville, Florida
•Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve — wetlands in Florida (U.S.) managed by the National Park Service
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 47m. Total distance: 143.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 86.1 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Jacksonville, FL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 22.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.5 miles (Rinehart Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 52.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Fort Matanzas National Monument, Castillo de San Marcos National Monument and Canaveral National Seashore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Jacksonville, FL before heading back.
