Origin
Hernando Beach, FL
Afternoon in Hernando Beach on Sunday
Local time
1:28 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 52m
Distance
170.3 mi
274 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hernando Beach, FL
Arian Fernandez
Jacksonville, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Hernando Beach to Jacksonville is 170.3 miles and takes about 3h 52m via FL 121 and US 301, with a fuel budget near $27 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, moving from the Gulf Coast region towards the Atlantic. It's a straightforward, single-day drive that's mostly on state and US highways rather than interstates. You'll find this route offers a mixed driving experience, making it a practical choice if you're looking for a direct journey without extensive highway time. Plan for a relatively short travel day that allows for a relaxed departure or arrival.
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
85.1 miles from Hernando Beach, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| FL 121 | 39.1 mi | 51m |
| Suncoast Boulevard | 35 mi | 48m |
| US 301 | 18.1 mi | 22m |
| Commercial Way | 17.6 mi | 23m |
| I 10 | 16.8 mi | 19m |
| Waldo Road | 13.1 mi | 18m |
| Sid Martin Highway | 8.8 mi | 11m |
| Starke Bypass | 6.4 mi | 7m |
Step-by-step road directions between Hernando Beach, FL and Jacksonville, FL.
Start on Palometa Drive
Turn right onto Jew Fish Drive
At end of road, turn right onto CR 597
Turn slight left
Turn left onto CR 595
Continue on CR 595
Turn left onto US 19
Continue on US 19
Turn slight right onto FL 121
Turn left onto US 41; FL 121
Take the ramp onto US 41; FL 121
Merge onto US 41; US 27 Alternate; FL 121
Turn left onto US 27; US 41; FL 121
Turn slight right onto FL 121
Continue on FL 331
Continue on FL 24A; FL 331
Continue on FL 24
Continue on FL 24
Continue on FL 24
Merge onto US 301
Continue on US 301 ALT
Continue on US 301 Alternate
Continue on US 301
Take the exit
Merge onto I 10
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 95
Take the exit onto US 17; FL 228
Turn straight onto US 17; US 23; FL 228
Arrive at destination
Given the 3h 52m duration, this is easily a one-day trip, so you have flexibility with your departure time. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid early rush hour and allow for a leisurely breakfast. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $27, you won't need extensive planning for amenities. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before the longest stretch of 39.1 miles on FL 121, as services might be less frequent in certain sections. This route is manageable enough that you can make spontaneous stops if needed.
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.
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 37 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85.1 miles or 2h 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jacksonville, FL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Hernando 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 Hernando Beach, FL
This is one driving day of about 170.3 miles and 3h 52m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
85 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.
A short stop after about 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 85.1 miles from Hernando Beach, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 169.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
At end of road, turn right onto CR 597 / Shoal Line Boulevard
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto US 41; FL 121 / Southwest 7th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
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
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
Regular Gas
$27.11 one way
$54.21 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $29.49 | $58.97 |
| premium | $4.72 | $31.67 | $63.33 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $37.60 | $75.20 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 51.1 | 0 | $17.88 | $8.17 |
| Efficient EV | 42.6 | 0 | $14.90 | $6.81 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 68.1 | 0 | $23.84 | $10.90 |
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (67% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Hernando Beach on Sunday
Local time
1:28 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Jacksonville on Sunday
Local time
1:28 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
This drive offers a mixed experience, with 46% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter stretches on FL 121 and Suncoast Boulevard, providing a varied road feel. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 39.1 miles on FL 121, offering a good segment of consistent driving. Expect the road to transition between more developed areas and potentially more rural landscapes as you progress toward Jacksonville. It's not a constant interstate grind, allowing for a more engaging drive.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near CR 597 / Shoal Line Boulevard.
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 16 significant decision points across 170.3 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 0.6 miles (CR 597 / Shoal Line Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 76.4 miles (US 41; FL 121 / Southwest 7th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 150.8 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 52m. Total distance: 170.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
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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