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Trip from Beacon Square, FL to Jacksonville, FL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 11m
Distance
204.9 mi
330 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 58m
★
6 AM
4h 11m
8 AM
4h 38m
10 AM
4h 21m
12 PM
4h 18m
3 PM
4h 22m
5 PM
4h 36m
8 PM
4h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Beacon Square, FL
Samuel Etienne
Jacksonville, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Beacon Square, FL to Jacksonville, FL is 204.9 miles and takes about 4h 11m via I 75 and US 301, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, moving from the Tampa Bay area north towards the state capital. Given its relatively short duration and mostly highway profile, it’s a straightforward drive suitable for a single day. You'll encounter a good amount of highway driving, so expect to cover ground efficiently. This route is a practical option for getting between these two Florida cities without much fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
102.5 miles from Beacon Square, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 1m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 80.5 mi | 1h 26m |
| US 301 | 75.9 mi | 1h 34m |
| State Road 54 | 22.3 mi | 33m |
| I 10 | 16.8 mi | 19m |
| Northwest 70th Street | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| FL 326 | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Moog Road | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Union Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 80.5 mi, about 1h 26m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 52 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,814 veh/hr typical · worst 3,501
Quietest
2 AM
~310 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Beacon Square, FL and Jacksonville, FL.
1
Start on Springfield Drive
337 ft
·
17 sec
·
Springfield Drive
2
Turn right onto Moog Road
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Moog Road
3
Turn left onto US 19
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
US Highway 19
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
Turn right onto FL 54
22 mi
·
33 min
·
State Road 54
Use the right lane.
5
Continue on FL 56
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
State Road 56
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
Continue on FL 56
0.5 mi
·
41 sec
·
FL 56
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 75 North: Ocala
Use the left lane.
8
Merge onto I 75
81 mi
·
1 hr 26 min
·
I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 358
Toward FL 326
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn slight right
144 ft
·
4 sec
11
Turn slight right onto FL 326
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
FL 326
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Continue on FL 326
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Northwest 70th Street
13
Turn left onto US 301; US 441
5.5 mi
·
6 min
·
US 301; US 441
Use the left lane.
14
Turn straight onto US 301
52 mi
·
1 hr 5 min
·
US 301
Toward North US 301: Starke
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on US 301
18 mi
·
22 min
·
US 301
16
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 10 East: Jacksonville
17
Merge onto I 10
17 mi
·
19 min
·
I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 95 South: Jacksonville Beaches, Daytona Beach
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi
·
56 sec
Toward I 95 North: International Airport, Savannah
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto I 95
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
I 95
21
Take the exit onto US 17; FL 228
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
US 17; FL 228
Exit 353B
Toward Union Street, Beaver Street
22
Turn straight onto US 17; US 23; FL 228
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Union Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
23
Arrive at destination
US 17
Trip Plan
For this 204.9-mile trip, leaving Beacon Square in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. Since the drive is only about 4 hours, you can easily complete it in one day without needing an overnight stop. There's one recommended stop along the way, which should be sufficient for a break. Keep an eye on your fuel; with a budget of around $32, it's a good idea to fill up before you leave Beacon Square, especially since the longest stretch without an exit is over 80 miles. This route’s brevity means you have flexibility, so don't feel rushed to make unnecessary stops.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 102.5 miles from Beacon Square, FL, or about 2h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.5 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 45 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.5 miles or 2h 1m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 23m
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 Beacon Square, 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 Beacon Square, FL
This is one driving day of about 204.9 miles and 4h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Beacon Square, 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 75 for about 80.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
102 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 45 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 102.5 miles from Beacon Square, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pasco County Rest Area Northbound
0.1 mi from route
Pasco County Rest Area Southbound
0.1 mi from route
Marion County Rest Area Southbound
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Sumter County Rest Area Northbound
0.2 mi from route
Marion County Rest Area Northbound
0.2 mi from route
Wildwood I-75 Weigh Station Southbound
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Wildwood I-75 Weigh Station Northbound
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 24.8 and 204 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
24.8 mi into trip
|
~38m in
Take the ramp toward I 75 North: Ocala
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 75 North: Ocala
5
25.2 mi into trip
|
~39m in
|
I 75
Merge onto I 75
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
105.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 5m in
Take the exit toward FL 326
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 358
Toward FL 326
8
202.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 7m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: International Airport, Savannah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 North: International Airport, Savan...
6
204 mi into trip
|
~4h 8m in
|
US 17; FL 228
Take the exit onto US 17; FL 228 toward Union Street, Beaver Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 353B
Toward Union Street, Beaver Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.02 one way
$62.03 round trip
$3.85/gal
25.4 MPG avg
72 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $34.03 | $68.07 |
| premium | $4.55 | $36.70 | $73.41 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $38.69 | $77.38 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 61.5 | 0 | $21.51 | $9.84 |
| Efficient EV | 51.2 | 0 | $17.93 | $8.20 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 82 | 1 | $28.69 | $13.11 |
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (67% 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.
Origin
Beacon Square, FL
Morning in Beacon Square on Monday
Local time
7:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 7 mph
38% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Jacksonville, FL
Morning in Jacksonville on Monday
Local time
7:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Mostly Clear
S 3 to 9 mph
8% chance
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 11m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway, with 86% of the drive on major roads. You'll be on I 75 for a significant portion, including an 80.5-mile stretch without needing to exit. The transition to surface roads occurs around mile 30, where you'll likely notice more frequent exits and slower speeds as you move onto US 301. Expect a mix of cruising on the interstate and navigating through more developed areas as you approach Jacksonville.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 80.5 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and US 301. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 24.8 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 204.9 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 24.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 25.2 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 105.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
186 ft
7 ft
Total Climb
254 ft
Total Descent
245 ft
Highest Point
186 ft
~161 mi in
Elevation Range
180 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Beacon Square, FL
Full guide →Arriving in Jacksonville, FL
Full guide →Founded 1791
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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 11m. Total distance: 204.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 80.5 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 24 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 24.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 25.2 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 105.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Jacksonville, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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