Goulds, FL to Jacksonville, FL is 365.6 miles and takes about 6h 48m via I 95 and Florida's Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $57 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within Florida, taking you north on major highways. With a 99% highway share, expect a straightforward trip focused on covering ground efficiently. It’s a solid option if you want to get from South Florida to North Florida quickly without needing an overnight stop. Consider this route for its directness and minimal complexity.
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
182.8 miles from Goulds, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 26m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
219.7 mi
3h 57m
Florida's Turnpike
104.7 mi
1h 56m
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
35.1 mi
40m
Dixie Highway
1.6 mi
2m
US 1
1.3 mi
3m
Okeechobee Road
0.3 mi
<1m
Southwest 118th Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
Beaver Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 219.7 mi, about 3h 57m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 130 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,423 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,278
Quietest
2 AM
~277 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 Goulds, FL and Jacksonville, FL.
1
Start on Southwest 220th Street
76 ft·4 sec·Southwest 220th Street
2
Turn right onto Southwest 118th Avenue
0.2 mi·44 sec·Southwest 118th Avenue
3
Merge onto US 1
1.6 mi·2 min·Dixie Highway
Use the left lane.
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll North
5
Merge onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
0.9 mi·1 min·Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
3.6 mi·4 min·Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
2.5 mi·3 min·Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
27 mi·30 min·Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
1.0 mi·1 min·Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike Toll NorthUse the straight / slight left lanes.
10
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
105 mi·1 hr 56 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
For this 6h 48m drive, leaving Goulds in the morning will allow you to arrive in Jacksonville with plenty of daylight remaining. Since it's a single-day trip, you can be flexible with your departure time. Plan for one stop to break up the 365.6 miles, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without services on I 95 is substantial. The estimated fuel cost is around $57, so budget accordingly for your fill-ups.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 182.8 miles from Goulds, FL, or about 3h 26m 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 80 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 182.8 miles or 3h 26m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 39m
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 Goulds, 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 Goulds, FL
This is one driving day of about 365.6 miles and 6h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Goulds, 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 364.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|US 1 / Dixie Highway
Merge onto US 1 / Dixie Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
36.1 mi into trip|~43m in|Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Keep slight right at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike Toll North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike Toll North
8
141.8 mi into trip|~2h 40m 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
142.9 mi into trip|~2h 42m 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
8
364.3 mi into trip|~6h 44m 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
$58.78 one way
$117.57 round trip
$4.08/gal25.4 MPG avg128 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$64.12
$128.25
premium
$4.78
$68.83
$137.66
diesel
$6.28
$90.33
$180.67
Estimated Tolls: $9.43
Florida's Turnpike
(104.7 mi)$7.33
Homestead Extension
(35.1 mi)$2.10
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
$59
Tolls
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$93–$118
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 127.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
109.7
1
$38.39
$17.55
Efficient EV
91.4
1
$31.99
$14.62
EV Truck/SUV
146.2
1
$51.18
$23.40
Gas CO2
128 kg
EV CO2
43 kg (66% 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Goulds, FL
Late night
in Goulds on Thursday
Local time
5:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Partly Cloudy
NE 13 mph10% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 2:34AM EDT until October 22 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 2:26AM EDT until October 22 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Destination
Jacksonville, FL
Late night
in Jacksonville on Thursday
Local time
5:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Mostly Cloudy
N 15 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 2:34AM EDT until October 22 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 2:26AM EDT until October 22 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
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
13 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
6h 48m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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 315.2
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
~14 min detour
$15
near mile 327.8
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
$25
near mile 239.5
Within sight of Miami, yet worlds away, Biscayne protects a rare combination of aquamarine waters, emerald islands, and fish-bejeweled coral reefs. Evidence of 10,000 years of human history is here to...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is almost entirely highway, with 99% of the 365.6 miles on major roads like I 95 and Florida's Turnpike. You'll experience a long stretch of 219.7 miles on I 95 without needing to exit. The Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike is also a significant part of your drive. Expect frequent exits and potential traffic as you pass through populated areas, especially closer to South Florida.
99% 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?
10/10
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 0.2 miles in near US 1 / Dixie Highway.
Driving Effort10/10
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 24 significant decision points across 365.6 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 0.2 miles (US 1 / Dixie Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 36.1 miles (Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 141.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
37 ft12 ft
Total Climb
40 ft
Total Descent
36 ft
Highest Point
37 ft
~236 mi in
Elevation Range
25 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Goulds, FL and Jacksonville, FL, road signs point toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike Toll North and Vero Beach.
Orlando
36.1 mi in|~43m|via Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Florida's Turnpike Toll North
36.1 mi in|~43m|via Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
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
•Downtown Jacksonville — central business district of Jacksonville, Florida, United States
•Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville — museum in Jacksonville, Florida
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 48m. Total distance: 365.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 48m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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 $9.43 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.
Yes — we found about 29 rest areas or service plazas 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 29 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (US 1 / Dixie Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 36.1 miles (Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 141.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Fort Matanzas National Monument, Castillo de San Marcos National Monument and Canaveral National Seashore (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.8 hours each way, a round trip means 13.6 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.
