Skip to main content

Trip from Hernando Beach, 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 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

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 40m ★
6 AM
3h 53m
8 AM
4h 19m
10 AM
4h 2m
12 PM
3h 59m
3 PM
4h 3m
5 PM
4h 17m
8 PM
3h 45m

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

Downtown Hernando Beach, FL, FL

Hernando Beach, FL

Arian Fernandez

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

Jacksonville, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

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 .

Main Roads

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
Longest stretch: FL 121 — 39.1 mi, about 51m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Hernando Beach, FL and Jacksonville, FL.

1

Start on Palometa Drive

0.3 mi · 1 min · Palometa Drive
2

Turn right onto Jew Fish Drive

0.3 mi · 1 min · Jew Fish Drive
3

At end of road, turn right onto CR 597

1.2 mi · 2 min · Shoal Line Boulevard
4

Turn slight left

225 ft · 11 sec
5

Turn left onto CR 595

1.5 mi · 3 min · Osowaw Boulevard
6

Continue on CR 595

0.3 mi · 38 sec · Osowaw Boulevard
7

Turn left onto US 19

18 mi · 23 min · Commercial Way
8

Continue on US 19

35 mi · 48 min · Suncoast Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
9

Turn slight right onto FL 121

20 mi · 25 min · FL 121
10

Turn left onto US 41; FL 121

0.7 mi · 1 min · Southwest 7th Street
Use the left lane.
11

Take the ramp onto US 41; FL 121

0.1 mi · 15 sec · US 41; FL 121
Use the slight right lane.
12

Merge onto US 41; US 27 Alternate; FL 121

0.5 mi · 1 min · West Noble Avenue
13

Turn left onto US 27; US 41; FL 121

0.4 mi · 49 sec · Main Street
14

Turn slight right onto FL 121

19 mi · 25 min · FL 121
Use the slight right lane.
15

Continue on FL 331

2.1 mi · 3 min · Southeast Williston Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
16

Continue on FL 24A; FL 331

0.7 mi · 1 min · Southeast 11th Street
17

Continue on FL 24

1.4 mi · 2 min · Waldo Road
18

Continue on FL 24

0.3 mi · 32 sec · Northeast Waldo Road
19

Continue on FL 24

12 mi · 15 min · Waldo Road
Use the left lane.
20

Merge onto US 301

8.8 mi · 11 min · Sid Martin Highway
21

Continue on US 301 ALT

6.4 mi · 7 min · Starke Bypass
Use the straight lane.
22

Continue on US 301 Alternate

3.4 mi · 4 min · US 301 Alternate
23

Continue on US 301

18 mi · 22 min · US 301
24

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min
Toward I 10 East: Jacksonville
25

Merge onto I 10

17 mi · 19 min · I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 33 sec
Toward I 95 South: Jacksonville Beaches, Daytona Beach
27

Keep slight left at fork

0.7 mi · 56 sec
Toward I 95 North: International Airport, Savannah Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
28

Merge onto I 95

0.7 mi · 1 min · I 95
29

Take the exit onto US 17; FL 228

0.2 mi · 26 sec · US 17; FL 228
Exit 353B Toward Union Street, Beaver Street
30

Turn straight onto US 17; US 23; FL 228

0.7 mi · 1 min · Union Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
31

Arrive at destination

US 17

Trip Plan

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 85.1 miles from Hernando Beach, FL, or about 2h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 39.1 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 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.

Before You Leave

+

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.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Hernando 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 FL 121 for about 39.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Gainesville, FL

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.

Popular next leg

Gainesville, FL to Jacksonville, FL

71.4 mi · 1h 33m

Pacing Suggestions

Homosassa Springs, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Archer, FL

Meal break

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.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

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.

5
0.6 mi into trip | ~2m in | CR 597 / Shoal Line Boulevard

At end of road, turn right onto CR 597 / Shoal Line Boulevard

Navigation decision point

6
76.4 mi into trip | ~1h 47m in | US 41; FL 121 / Southwest 7th Street

Turn left onto US 41; FL 121 / Southwest 7th Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
5
150.8 mi into trip | ~3h 28m in | I 10

Merge onto I 10

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
167.9 mi into trip | ~3h 48m in

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

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 95 North: International Airport, Savan...
6
169.4 mi into trip | ~3h 50m in | US 17; FL 228

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

Exit 353B Toward Union Street, Beaver Street

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$27.11 one way

$54.21 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 60 kg CO2
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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Hernando Beach, FL

Afternoon in Hernando Beach on Sunday

Local time

1:28 PM

EDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Jacksonville, FL

Afternoon in Jacksonville on Sunday

Local time

1:28 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

4 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 52m 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?

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.

46% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 39.1 mi on FL 121.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

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.

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 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.

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 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 39.1 miles on FL 121. 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 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 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.

Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.8 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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from Hernando Beach, FL or browse trips ending in Jacksonville, FL.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse FL road trips.