Connecting the Florida Panhandle to the Atlantic coast, this 254.5-mile journey takes you from Bonifay to Jacksonville. Expect to spend approximately 3 hours and 48 minutes behind the wheel, making this a very manageable one-day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. You will primarily utilize I-10 East before transitioning onto I-95. Budgeting about $43 for fuel should cover your transit across the state. Because you are traveling from the Panhandle to the Jacksonville region, you will see the landscape shift as you head toward the coast.
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
127.3 miles from Bonifay, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
249.3 mi
4h 28m
North Waukesha Street
2.1 mi
3m
Union Street
0.7 mi
1m
I 95
0.7 mi
1m
US 17
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 249.3 mi, about 4h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bonifay, FL and Jacksonville, FL.
1
Start on FL 79
2.1 mi·3 min·North Waukesha Street
2
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 10 East: Tallahassee
3
Merge onto I 10
249 mi·4 hr 28 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Take the exit
0.4 mi·33 sec
Toward I 95 South: Jacksonville Beaches, Daytona Beach
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·56 sec
Toward I 95 North: International Airport, SavannahUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 95
0.7 mi·1 min·I 95
7
Take the exit onto US 17; FL 228
0.2 mi·26 sec·US 17; FL 228
Exit 353BToward Union Street, Beaver Street
8
Turn straight onto US 17; US 23; FL 228
0.7 mi·1 min·Union Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
9
Arrive at destination
US 17
Trip Plan
To keep your 3 hour and 48 minute trip efficient, plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Since this is a single-day drive, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule, though leaving early helps you avoid potential congestion on the approach to Jacksonville. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $43 estimate is a solid baseline for your planning. Given the turn-heavy nature of this specific route, ensure your GPS is updated before you head out from Bonifay to navigate the transitions between I-10 and I-95 with confidence.
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 127.3 miles from Bonifay, FL, or about 2h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 249.3 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 56 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 127.3 miles or 2h 19m 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 47m
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 Bonifay, 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 Bonifay, FL
This is one driving day of about 254.6 miles and 4h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Bonifay, 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 10 for about 249.3 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 7
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.1 and 253.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
3
2.1 mi into trip|~3m in
Take the ramp toward I 10 East: Tallahassee
Navigation decision point
Toward I 10 East: Tallahassee
5
2.6 mi into trip|~4m in|I 10
Merge onto I 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
251.9 mi into trip|~4h 33m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South: Jacksonville Beaches, Daytona Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 95 South: Jacksonville Beaches, Dayton...
8
252.3 mi into trip|~4h 34m 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
253.7 mi into trip|~4h 36m 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
$40.53 one way
$81.05 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg89 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$44.08
$88.17
premium
$4.72
$47.34
$94.68
diesel
$5.61
$56.21
$112.42
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
76.4
0
$26.73
$12.22
Efficient EV
63.7
0
$22.28
$10.18
EV Truck/SUV
101.8
1
$35.64
$16.29
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Bonifay, FL
Morning
in Bonifay on Sunday
Local time
9:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Jacksonville, FL
Morning
in Jacksonville on Sunday
Local time
10:37 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
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
4 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 38m 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?
This route is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive rather than a simple interstate cruise. While you will utilize major thoroughfares like I-10 and I-95, the experience is distinct from a standard highway grind. The roads require your attention as you transition between these main arteries. You should be prepared for a mix of driving conditions that demand focus, rather than just settling into a high-speed interstate rhythm for the entire duration.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
9 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 249.3 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and North Waukesha Street. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 2.1 miles in.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 38m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 2.6 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 251.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
The longest stretch is about 249.3 miles on I 10. 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 2.6 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 251.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
