Traveling from Belleair Beach to Jacksonville covers 224.9 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 37 minutes. This route is designed as a straightforward day trip, making it an efficient way to cross the state from Florida's Gulf Coast to the Atlantic side. You can expect to spend roughly $38 on fuel for the journey. By utilizing I-275, I-75, and US-301, you stay on high-capacity roads for the majority of the trip. Whether you are heading north for business or a change of scenery, this highway-focused drive offers a reliable pace that fits comfortably into a single day of travel.
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
112.5 miles from Belleair Beach, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
82.3 mi
1h 28m
US 301
75.9 mi
1h 34m
I 275
28.9 mi
36m
I 10
16.8 mi
19m
Ulmerton Road
9.2 mi
15m
West Bay Drive
2.2 mi
5m
Northwest 70th Street
1.5 mi
2m
Seminole Boulevard
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 82.3 mi, about 1h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Belleair Beach, FL and Jacksonville, FL.
1
Start on Gulf Boulevard
0.4 mi·53 sec·Gulf Boulevard
2
Turn left onto CR 416
0.5 mi·1 min·Causeway Boulevard
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on CR 416
0.6 mi·1 min·South Belleair Causeway
4
Continue on CR 416
2.2 mi·5 min·West Bay Drive
5
Turn right onto 1st Street Southwest
0.2 mi·14 sec·1st Street Southwest
6
Turn straight onto US-19 ALT
1.4 mi·2 min·Seminole Boulevard
7
Turn left onto FL 688
8.3 mi·13 min·Ulmerton Road
Use the left lane.
8
Take the ramp onto FL 688
0.9 mi·1 min·Ulmerton Road
Toward I 275 North: Tampa
9
Merge onto I 275
29 mi·36 min·I 275
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 75
82 mi·1 hr 28 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 358Toward FL 326Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn slight right
144 ft·4 sec
13
Turn slight right onto FL 326
1.1 mi·1 min·FL 326
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on FL 326
1.5 mi·2 min·Northwest 70th Street
15
Turn left onto US 301; US 441
5.5 mi·6 min·US 301; US 441
Use the left lane.
16
Turn straight onto US 301
52 mi·1 hr 5 min·US 301
Toward North US 301: StarkeUse the straight lane.
17
Continue on US 301
18 mi·22 min·US 301
18
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 10 East: Jacksonville
19
Merge onto I 10
17 mi·19 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi·33 sec
Toward I 95 South: Jacksonville Beaches, Daytona Beach
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·56 sec
Toward I 95 North: International Airport, SavannahUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
22
Merge onto I 95
0.7 mi·1 min·I 95
23
Take the exit onto US 17; FL 228
0.2 mi·26 sec·US 17; FL 228
Exit 353BToward Union Street, Beaver Street
24
Turn straight onto US 17; US 23; FL 228
0.7 mi·1 min·Union Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
25
Arrive at destination
US 17
Trip Plan
To keep your drive smooth, aim to complete the 224.9-mile journey in one go, as the duration is manageable for a single day. Since you are only planning one stop, choose your location carefully to break up the 4-hour and 37-minute travel time effectively. Watch for traffic congestion as you transition between the interstate systems, particularly when moving between I-75 and the other primary roads. Budgeting $38 for fuel is a safe estimate, but keep a little extra set aside for potential fluctuations in gas prices along the corridor. Since the route is so highway-dependent, check for road work on I-75 before you head out to ensure your trip stays on schedule.
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 112.5 miles from Belleair Beach, FL, or about 2h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.3 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 49 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 112.5 miles or 2h 17m 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 45m
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 Belleair Beach, 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 Belleair Beach, FL
This is one driving day of about 224.9 miles and 4h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Belleair Beach, 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 82.3 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 224 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.4 mi into trip|~0m in|CR 416 / Causeway Boulevard
Turn left onto CR 416 / Causeway Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
14.5 mi into trip|~27m in|I 275
Merge onto I 275
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
125.7 mi into trip|~2h 31m 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
222.6 mi into trip|~4h 33m 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
224 mi into trip|~4h 35m 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
$35.80 one way
$71.60 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg79 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$38.94
$77.88
premium
$4.72
$41.82
$83.64
diesel
$5.61
$49.66
$99.31
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
67.5
0
$23.61
$10.80
Efficient EV
56.2
0
$19.68
$9.00
EV Truck/SUV
90
1
$31.49
$14.39
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 16, 2026
Origin
Belleair Beach, FL
Morning
in Belleair Beach on Sunday
Local time
6:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
Destination
Jacksonville, FL
Morning
in Jacksonville on Sunday
Local time
6:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°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.
Road read
4h 37m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
With 92% of your journey spent on highways, this trip is defined by a consistent, high-speed pace. You will navigate a mix of major interstates and US routes, transitioning from the coastal environment of Belleair Beach into the broader highway corridors of Florida. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on I-75, where you will cover 82.3 miles of open road. Behind the wheel, you should prepare for a functional, interstate-heavy experience that prioritizes speed and efficiency over winding local paths. It is a steady, predictable drive that allows you to cover significant ground quickly.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 82.3 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 0.4 miles in near CR 416 / Causeway Boulevard.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 224.9 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 0.4 miles (CR 416 / Causeway Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 14.5 miles (I 275): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 125.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 37m. Total distance: 224.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 37m 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 82.3 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 0.4 miles (CR 416 / Causeway Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 14.5 miles (I 275): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 125.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Jacksonville, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
