Brandon to Jacksonville is 201.5 miles and takes about 3h 58m 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 northeast toward the Atlantic coast. The majority of the drive is on major highways, making it a straightforward option for a single-day trip. With a total travel time under four hours, it's an easy way to cover ground without needing an overnight stop.
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
100.7 miles from Brandon, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
98.7 mi
1h 45m
US 301
75.9 mi
1h 34m
I 10
16.8 mi
19m
West Brandon Boulevard
2.5 mi
4m
Northwest 70th Street
1.5 mi
2m
FL 326
1.1 mi
1m
Union Street
0.7 mi
1m
I 95
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 98.7 mi, about 1h 45m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 80 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,270 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,908
Quietest
2 AM
~355 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Brandon, FL and Jacksonville, FL.
1
Start on FL 60
2.5 mi·4 min·West Brandon Boulevard
2
Take the exit
1.2 mi·2 min
Toward I 75 North: OcalaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
3
Merge onto I 75
99 mi·1 hr 45 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 358Toward FL 326Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Turn slight right
144 ft·4 sec
6
Turn slight right onto FL 326
1.1 mi·1 min·FL 326
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Continue on FL 326
1.5 mi·2 min·Northwest 70th Street
8
Turn left onto US 301; US 441
5.5 mi·6 min·US 301; US 441
Use the left lane.
9
Turn straight onto US 301
52 mi·1 hr 5 min·US 301
Toward North US 301: StarkeUse the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 301
18 mi·22 min·US 301
11
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 10 East: Jacksonville
12
Merge onto I 10
17 mi·19 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·33 sec
Toward I 95 South: Jacksonville Beaches, Daytona Beach
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·56 sec
Toward I 95 North: International Airport, SavannahUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 95
0.7 mi·1 min·I 95
16
Take the exit onto US 17; FL 228
0.2 mi·26 sec·US 17; FL 228
Exit 353BToward Union Street, Beaver Street
17
Turn straight onto US 17; US 23; FL 228
0.7 mi·1 min·Union Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
18
Arrive at destination
US 17
Trip Plan
Given the under four-hour drive time, you can comfortably depart Brandon, FL, anytime in the morning and still arrive in Jacksonville with plenty of daylight. The $32 fuel cost is an estimate, so check current prices before you go. Since the longest stretch without a major exit is nearly 100 miles on I-75, ensure you have adequate fuel before entering that segment. There's only one recommended stop, so plan this break strategically for maximum rest.
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 100.7 miles from Brandon, FL, or about 1h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.7 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 44 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100.7 miles or 1h 50m 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 11m
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 Brandon, 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 Brandon, FL
This is one driving day of about 201.5 miles and 3h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Brandon, 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 98.7 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.5 and 200.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
2.5 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the exit toward I 75 North: Ocala
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 75 North: Ocala
5
3.6 mi into trip|~6m in|I 75
Merge onto I 75
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
102.3 mi into trip|~1h 52m 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
199.1 mi into trip|~3h 53m 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
200.5 mi into trip|~3h 55m 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
$30.50 one way
$61.01 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg71 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$33.47
$66.94
premium
$4.55
$36.10
$72.19
diesel
$4.80
$38.05
$76.09
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: 70.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60.5
0
$21.16
$9.67
Efficient EV
50.4
0
$17.63
$8.06
EV Truck/SUV
80.6
1
$28.21
$12.90
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Brandon, FL
Morning
in Brandon on Monday
Local time
7:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Cloudy then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
ESE 3 to 7 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Jacksonville, FL
Morning
in Jacksonville on Monday
Local time
7:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Mostly Clear
S 3 to 10 mph11% chanceLive 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
2 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
3h 58m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 almost entirely highway driving, with 96% of the 201.5 miles on major roads. You'll encounter a long stretch of 98.7 miles on I-75, which means fewer exits for extended periods. The transition to surface roads will occur as you approach Jacksonville, likely with a denser pattern of exits and local traffic as you enter the urban area.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98.7 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 2.5 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 201.5 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 2.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.6 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 102.3 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.
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 3h 58m. Total distance: 201.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 98.7 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza 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 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.6 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 102.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Jacksonville, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
