Traveling from Fort Lauderdale to Jacksonville covers 326.3 miles of Florida terrain, taking approximately 4 hours and 40 minutes of driving time. Because this route relies on local roads like Northwest 9th Avenue and Powerline Road rather than high-speed interstates, it functions best as a focused, single-day excursion. You should budget roughly $53 for fuel to complete the journey. Given the turn-heavy nature of this path, you will want to remain alert throughout the trek. It is a straightforward trek across the state that avoids major highway corridors, allowing you to experience the road at a more local pace.
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
159.3 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
219.7 mi
3h 57m
Florida's Turnpike
84.6 mi
1h 33m
Northwest 9th Avenue
2.9 mi
5m
South Powerline Road
2.4 mi
4m
US 1
1.3 mi
3m
Powerline Road
1.1 mi
2m
South Pompano Parkway
1 mi
1m
Northwest 31st Avenue
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 219.7 mi, about 3h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Lauderdale, FL and Jacksonville, FL.
1
Start on SR 842
0.6 mi·1 min·East Broward Boulevard
2
Turn right onto Northwest 9th Avenue
2.9 mi·5 min·Northwest 9th Avenue
3
Continue on SR 845
1.1 mi·2 min·Powerline Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
4
Continue on SR 845
2.4 mi·4 min·South Powerline Road
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on SR 845
1.0 mi·1 min·South Pompano Parkway
Use the left lane.
6
Turn left onto SR 814
0.6 mi·1 min·West Atlantic Boulevard
7
Turn right onto Northwest 31st Avenue
1.0 mi·1 min·Northwest 31st Avenue
Use the right lane.
8
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·16 sec·this road
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll, Miami, OrlandoUse the straight / left lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North
10
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
85 mi·1 hr 33 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi·53 sec
Exit 152Toward FL 70: Fort Pierce, Vero BeachUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
214 ft·5 sec
Toward FL 70 East: Fort Pierce
13
Merge onto FL 70
0.3 mi·35 sec·Okeechobee Road
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 95
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 North: Daytona BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 95
220 mi·3 hr 57 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
1.1 mi·2 min
Toward US 90, US 1, FL 13: Downtown, Main Street, Acosta
18
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
19
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 StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn left
132 ft·11 sec
21
Turn right
121 ft·14 sec
22
At end of road, turn left onto US 90
104 ft·4 sec·Beaver Street
23
Turn right
175 ft·13 sec
24
At end of road, turn right
124 ft·11 sec
25
Turn right onto US 17
22 ft·0 sec·Union Street
26
Arrive at destination
US 17
Trip Plan
Since this is a 4 hour and 40 minute drive, planning your departure is key to avoiding unnecessary congestion on local roads. You should build in at least one stop to break up the drive, as the constant turning can be more taxing than a straight highway shot. Keep your $53 fuel budget handy, and ensure your vehicle is ready for a trip that stays entirely off the highway system. If you find yourself getting fatigued by the local traffic, prioritize finding a safe place to pull over early in the journey. A concrete tip for this specific route is to double-check your GPS frequently, as the reliance on local roads like Powerline Road means you will encounter many more intersections than a standard highway route.
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 159.3 miles from Fort Lauderdale, FL, or about 3h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 219.7 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 70 miles or 1h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 159.3 miles or 3h 3m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 54m
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 Fort Lauderdale, 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 Fort Lauderdale, FL
This is one driving day of about 318.5 miles and 5h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 miles from Fort Lauderdale, 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 219.7 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 9.8 and 317.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
9.8 mi into trip|~18m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North
8
94.7 mi into trip|~1h 52m in
Take the exit toward FL 70: Fort Pierce, Vero Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 152
Toward FL 70: Fort Pierce, Vero Beach
7
95.8 mi into trip|~1h 54m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: Daytona Beach
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 North: Daytona Beach
6
316 mi into trip|~5h 53m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 90, US 1, FL 13: Downtown, Main Street, Acosta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 90, US 1, FL 13: Downtown, Main Stree...
8
317.2 mi into trip|~5h 55m 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
$50.70 one way
$101.39 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg111 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$55.15
$110.30
premium
$4.72
$59.22
$118.45
diesel
$5.61
$70.32
$140.64
Estimated Tolls: $5.92
Florida's Turnpike
(84.6 mi)$5.92
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
$51
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 111.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
95.6
1
$33.44
$15.29
Efficient EV
79.6
0
$27.87
$12.74
EV Truck/SUV
127.4
1
$44.59
$20.38
Gas CO2
111 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 13, 2026
Origin
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Night
in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday
Local time
10:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Mostly Cloudy
E 10 to 14 mph13% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Jacksonville, FL
Night
in Jacksonville on Saturday
Local time
10:53 PM
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
11 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
5h 59m 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
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 263.6
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...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
$15
near mile 285.6
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 197.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a very different experience than your typical interstate cruise, as this route features zero highway miles. Instead, you will be navigating a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. The path utilizes South Powerline Road and Northwest 9th Avenue, creating a driving profile that feels more like a series of interconnected local stretches than a fast-paced transit. Because you are staying off the major highways, the road character remains consistent and technical throughout the 326.3-mile distance. Prepare for frequent adjustments as you navigate the local street grid from South Florida up to the Jacksonville area.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 219.7 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Florida's Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9.8 miles in.
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 20 significant decision points across 318.5 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 9.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 94.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 95.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Fort Lauderdale, FL to Jacksonville, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Vero Beach along the way.
Fort Lauderdale is a coastal city on the Atlantic Ocean in the US state of Florida. It is known as the "Venice of America" due to its expansive canal system. Situated in Broward County in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale metro area, the city's population is over 180,000 (2021).
The city is most famous for its beaches and boats, and while the city of Fort Lauderdale is relatively small in area, the term 'Fort Lauderdale' is often used to refer to the larger metropolis that has grown up around it. It is the county seat for Broward county, and is part of the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach metropolitan area, which has over 6.1 million people (2019).
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 5h 59m. Total distance: 318.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 59m 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 219.7 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $5.92 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 9.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 94.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 95.8 miles: 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 12.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Jacksonville, FL before the return drive.
