Fernandina Beach to Palm Bay is 212.3 miles and takes about 4 hours 8 minutes via I 95 and East Beltway, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Florida, moving south from the northern part of the state down to the central Atlantic coast. Much of this route is on major highways, making it a straightforward trip for those looking to cover ground efficiently. With a recommended one-day drive, you'll want to get an early start to maximize your time at your destination.
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
106.2 miles from Fernandina Beach, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
155.7 mi
2h 47m
East Beltway
21.4 mi
24m
US 17
12.6 mi
18m
South 8th Street
11.3 mi
19m
FL 9B
5.1 mi
5m
Palm Bay Road Northeast
4.3 mi
7m
Ash Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 155.7 mi, about 2h 47m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 18 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,130 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,886
Quietest
2 AM
~235 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.1×
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 Fernandina Beach, FL and Palm Bay, FL.
1
Start on Ash Street
0.2 mi·51 sec·Ash Street
2
Turn right onto SR A1A; FL 200
11 mi·19 min·South 8th Street
3
Turn sharp left onto US 17
1.1 mi·1 min·US 17
4
Continue on US 17
12 mi·16 min·US 17
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 295 SouthUse the left lane.
6
Merge onto I 295
8.5 mi·9 min·East Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 295
7.3 mi·8 min·East Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295
5.6 mi·6 min·East Beltway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 9B
5.1 mi·5 min·FL 9B
Exit 58Toward I 795 South: Saint AugustineUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 4BToward I 95 South: Daytona Beach
11
Merge onto I 95
156 mi·2 hr 47 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Exit 176Toward CR 516: Palm BayUse the slight right lane.
13
Continue on this road
99 ft·4 sec·this road
Exit 176Toward CR 516: Palm Bay, Palm Bay RoadUse the left / right lanes.
14
Turn straight onto CR 516
4.3 mi·7 min·Palm Bay Road Northeast
Use the left lane.
15
Arrive at destination
Palm Bay Road Northeast
Trip Plan
For this 212.3-mile drive, starting in the morning is your best bet to arrive with ample daylight. Since it's a single-day trip, you can be flexible with stops, but plan for at least one break. The longest stretch without a major exit is over 155 miles on I 95, so ensure you have sufficient fuel before embarking on that segment. Keep an eye on the fuel cost estimate of $33 for budgeting purposes. Consider using US 17 for a change of scenery if you decide to break up the highway driving.
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 106.2 miles from Fernandina Beach, FL, or about 2h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 155.7 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 47 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 106.2 miles or 2h 10m 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 Palm Bay, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fernandina 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 Fernandina Beach, FL
This is one driving day of about 212.3 miles and 4h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Fernandina 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 95 for about 155.7 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 33.3 and 208 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
33.3 mi into trip|~50m in|I 295 / East Beltway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 295 / East Beltway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
40.6 mi into trip|~58m in|I 295 / East Beltway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295 / East Beltway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8
46.2 mi into trip|~1h 4m in|FL 9B
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 9B toward I 795 South: Saint Augustine
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 58
Toward I 795 South: Saint Augustine
7
207.6 mi into trip|~3h 59m in
Take the exit toward CR 516: Palm Bay
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 176
Toward CR 516: Palm Bay
6
208 mi into trip|~4h in
Continue toward CR 516: Palm Bay, Palm Bay Road
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / right lanes.
Exit 176
Toward CR 516: Palm Bay, Palm Bay Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.14 one way
$64.28 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg74 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$35.26
$70.53
premium
$4.55
$38.03
$76.06
diesel
$4.80
$40.09
$80.17
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
63.7
0
$22.29
$10.19
Efficient EV
53.1
0
$18.58
$8.49
EV Truck/SUV
84.9
1
$29.72
$13.59
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 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 18, 2026
Origin
Fernandina Beach, FL
Morning
in Fernandina Beach on Sunday
Local time
7:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Mostly Clear
S 5 to 12 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 6:13PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 5:52PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Destination
Palm Bay, FL
Morning
in Palm Bay on Sunday
Local time
7:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
SSE 5 to 15 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 6:13PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 5:52PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 8m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Fort Matanzas National Monument
National Monument
Fort Matanzas National Monument preserves the fortified coquina watchtower, completed in 1742, which defended the southern approach to the Spanish military settlement of St. Augustine. It also protect...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 87.9
Built by the Spanish in St. Augustine to defend Florida and the Atlantic trade route, Castillo de San Marcos National Monument preserves the oldest masonry fortification in the continental United Stat...
Discover a dynamic barrier island shaped by dunes, coastal hammocks, and Mosquito Lagoon. Walk among ancient Timucua shell mounds and connect with thousands of years of human history. Immerse yourself...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
$25
near mile 153.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly highway, with 79% of the drive on major roads like I 95. You'll experience a long stretch of 155.7 miles on I 95, indicating significant time on the interstate. The shift from highway to surface roads will likely occur later in the drive, around mile 170, as you approach your destination. Expect a steady flow of traffic and numerous exits along the interstate sections.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 155.7 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and East Beltway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 33.3 miles in near I 295 / East Beltway.
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 12 significant decision points across 212.3 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 33.3 miles (I 295 / East Beltway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 40.6 miles (I 295 / East Beltway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 46.2 miles (FL 9B): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 8m. Total distance: 212.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 155.7 miles on I 95. 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 Palm Bay, 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 33.3 miles (I 295 / East Beltway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 40.6 miles (I 295 / East Beltway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 46.2 miles (FL 9B): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Fort Matanzas National Monument, Castillo de San Marcos National Monument and Canaveral National Seashore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Palm Bay, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
