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Trip from Buenaventura Lakes, FL to Jacksonville, FL

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 4m

Distance

159 mi

256 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 53m ★
6 AM
3h 4m
8 AM
3h 27m
10 AM
3h 12m
12 PM
3h 10m
3 PM
3h 14m
5 PM
3h 26m
8 PM
2h 57m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Buenaventura Lakes, FL, FL

Buenaventura Lakes, FL

Matt Fitz Gibaud

city in Duval County, and largest city in State of Florida, United States

Jacksonville, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Buenaventura Lakes to Jacksonville is 159 miles and takes about 3 hours 4 minutes via I-95, I-4, and Florida's Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Florida, moving from the central part of the state northward towards the Atlantic coast. Primarily a highway-focused journey, it's designed for efficient travel between these two points. With a recommended one-day drive, you can expect a straightforward trip with minimal fuss, making it a good option for a quick transit or the start of a larger adventure.

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

79.5 miles from Buenaventura Lakes, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 33m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 95 86.1 mi 1h 34m
I 4 54.7 mi 1h 2m
Florida's Turnpike 9.8 mi 10m
US 1 1.3 mi 3m
East Osceola Parkway 1.1 mi 2m
Buenaventura Boulevard 0.7 mi 1m
Florida Parkway 0.2 mi <1m
Gardenia Road <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 95 — 86.1 mi, about 1h 34m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Buenaventura Lakes, FL and Jacksonville, FL.

1

Start on Gardenia Road

466 ft · 22 sec · Gardenia Road
2

Turn right onto Kumquat Lane

260 ft · 16 sec · Kumquat Lane
3

Turn left onto Florida Parkway

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Florida Parkway
4

Turn right onto Buenaventura Boulevard

0.7 mi · 1 min · Buenaventura Boulevard
5

Turn left onto CR 522

1.1 mi · 2 min · East Osceola Parkway
Use the left lane.
6

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 14 sec
Toward Ocala, Florida's Turnpike Toll North Use the right lane.
7

Continue on this road

0.4 mi · 50 sec · this road
Toward Florida's Turnpike North: Ocala
8

Merge onto Florida's Turnpike

9.8 mi · 10 min · Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 54 sec
Exit 259 Toward I 4: Orlando, Tampa Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 38 sec
Toward I 4 East: Downtown Orlando
11

Merge onto I 4

55 mi · 1 hr 2 min · I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 14 sec
Toward I 95: Miami, Jacksonville
13

Keep slight left at fork

1.2 mi · 2 min
Toward I 95 North, US 92 North: Jacksonville
14

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 1 min
Toward I 95 North: Jacksonville Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Merge onto I 95

86 mi · 1 hr 34 min · I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Keep slight left at fork

1.1 mi · 2 min
Toward US 90, US 1, FL 13: Downtown, Main Street, Acosta
17

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
18

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 Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Turn left

132 ft · 11 sec
20

Turn right

121 ft · 14 sec
21

At end of road, turn left onto US 90

104 ft · 4 sec · Beaver Street
22

Turn right

175 ft · 13 sec
23

At end of road, turn right

124 ft · 11 sec
24

Turn right onto US 17

22 ft · 0 sec · Union Street
25

Arrive at destination

US 17

Trip Plan

Given the 3-hour duration, departing in the morning allows ample time to reach Jacksonville before evening. You'll only need one stop, so consider a break around the halfway point to stretch your legs. The longest stretch of 86.1 miles on I-95 means you won't need to worry about frequent exits for fuel or facilities for a significant portion of the trip. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the northern half of the drive, as services can become less frequent in certain stretches of I-95.

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 79.5 miles from Buenaventura Lakes, FL, or about 1h 33m 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 35 miles or 42m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 79.5 miles or 1h 33m 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 29m

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 Buenaventura Lakes, 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 Buenaventura Lakes, FL

This is one driving day of about 159 miles and 3h 4m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Buenaventura Lakes, 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.

Downtown DeLand, FL, FL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

DeLand, FL

80 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

Orlando, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Flagler Beach, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 79.5 miles from Buenaventura Lakes, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 86.1 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 22

5 decision points cluster between mile 2.1 and 157.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
2.1 mi into trip | ~4m in

Take the ramp toward Ocala, Florida's Turnpike Toll North

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Toward Ocala, Florida's Turnpike Toll North
8
12.5 mi into trip | ~16m in

Take the exit toward I 4: Orlando, Tampa

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 259 Toward I 4: Orlando, Tampa
6
67.9 mi into trip | ~1h 20m 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
69.4 mi into trip | ~1h 22m 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
157.6 mi into trip | ~3h 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

$25.31 one way

$50.62 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 56 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.40 $27.53 $55.06
premium $4.72 $29.57 $59.13
diesel $5.61 $35.11 $70.21

Estimated Tolls: $0.69

Florida's Turnpike (9.8 mi) $0.69

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$25

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$51–$76

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 55.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 47.7 0 $16.69 $7.63
Efficient EV 39.8 0 $13.91 $6.36
EV Truck/SUV 63.6 0 $22.26 $10.18

Gas CO2

56 kg

EV CO2

19 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 15, 2026

Origin

Buenaventura Lakes, FL

Morning in Buenaventura Lakes on Sunday

Local time

9:32 AM

EDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Jacksonville, FL

Morning in Jacksonville on Sunday

Local time

9:32 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.

Temperature spread

2 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

3h 4m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused drive for this 159-mile trip, with 96% of the route utilizing major interstates. You'll experience an uninterrupted stretch of 86.1 miles on I-95, offering a consistent pace. The journey begins with a blend of Florida's Turnpike and I-4 before settling onto I-95 for the majority of the drive. This profile suggests a relatively smooth and fast-paced experience, minimizing time spent on slower roads.

96% 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: 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 2.1 miles in.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 22 significant decision points across 159 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 2.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 67.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Buenaventura Lakes, FL to Jacksonville, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Tampa along the way.

Tampa

12.5 mi in | ~16m

About the Cities

Arriving in Jacksonville, FL

Full guide →

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.

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 3h 4m. Total distance: 159 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 4m 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 86.1 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $0.69 in tolls one way, starting with Florida's Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.

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 2.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 67.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.1 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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