Traveling from Highland Beach to Jacksonville covers 304.4 miles of Florida coastline, a journey that typically takes 5 hours and 39 minutes. Because this route is heavily focused on highway travel, you can comfortably complete the trek in a single day without needing an overnight stop. You should budget approximately $51 for fuel to cover the distance. Navigating out of Highland Beach involves short local segments on South Ocean Boulevard and East Linton Boulevard before you merge onto the main thoroughfare. It is a straightforward trip that links the southern part of the state to the northern reaches, making it a reliable option for those looking to reach their destination efficiently.
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
152.2 miles from Highland Beach, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
297.2 mi
5h 23m
South Ocean Boulevard
2.8 mi
6m
East Linton Boulevard
1.5 mi
2m
US 1
1.3 mi
3m
Beaver Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Union Street
<0.1 mi
—
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 297.2 mi, about 5h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Highland Beach, FL and Jacksonville, FL.
1
Start on SR A1A
2.8 mi·6 min·South Ocean Boulevard
2
Turn left onto East Linton Boulevard
1.5 mi·2 min·East Linton Boulevard
Use the left lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·51 sec
Toward I 95 North: West Palm Beach
4
Merge onto I 95
297 mi·5 hr 23 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork
1.1 mi·2 min
Toward US 90, US 1, FL 13: Downtown, Main Street, Acosta
6
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
7
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.
8
Turn left
132 ft·11 sec
9
Turn right
121 ft·14 sec
10
At end of road, turn left onto US 90
104 ft·4 sec·Beaver Street
11
Turn right
175 ft·13 sec
12
At end of road, turn right
124 ft·11 sec
13
Turn right onto US 17
22 ft·0 sec·Union Street
14
Arrive at destination
US 17
Trip Plan
To ensure a smooth journey, plan your departure to avoid peak traffic hours, as I-95 can become congested during your 5-hour and 39-minute transit. With only one recommended stop, you have the flexibility to break up the 297.2-mile stretch whenever you feel the need to stretch your legs or refuel. Keep that $51 fuel budget in mind when planning your stops, as prices can fluctuate significantly between different exits along the interstate. Since the route is almost entirely highway-based, use cruise control when traffic permits to maintain a steady pace. Given the length, try to time your single stop near the halfway point to keep your energy levels consistent until you reach Jacksonville.
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 152.2 miles from Highland Beach, FL, or about 2h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 297.2 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 67 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 152.2 miles or 2h 50m 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 36m
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 Highland 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 Highland Beach, FL
This is one driving day of about 304.4 miles and 5h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 miles from Highland 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 297.2 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 2.8 and 304.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
2.8 mi into trip|~6m in|East Linton Boulevard
Turn left onto East Linton Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
301.9 mi into trip|~5h 33m 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...
6
303 mi into trip|~5h 35m in|US 1; US 90
Keep slight right at fork onto US 1; US 90 toward US 90, US 1: Main Street, Ocean Street, Newnan Street, Prudential Drive
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 90, US 1: Main Street, Ocean Street,...
8
303.1 mi into trip|~5h 35m 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,...
6
304.3 mi into trip|~5h 38m in|US 90 / Beaver Street
At end of road, turn left onto US 90 / Beaver Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.45 one way
$96.90 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg107 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$52.71
$105.41
premium
$4.72
$56.60
$113.20
diesel
$5.61
$67.21
$134.42
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 106.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
91.3
1
$31.96
$14.61
Efficient EV
76.1
0
$26.63
$12.18
EV Truck/SUV
121.8
1
$42.62
$19.48
Gas CO2
107 kg
EV CO2
36 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 Apr 12, 2026
Origin
Highland Beach, FL
Night
in Highland Beach on Saturday
Local time
10:51 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Jacksonville, FL
Night
in Jacksonville on Saturday
Local time
10:51 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Mostly Clear
E 2 to 13 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 12 at 3:58PM EDT until April 13 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 12 at 2:27PM EDT until April 13 at 5:00AM 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
8 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 39m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highly efficient, highway-focused experience, as 98% of your trip will be spent on major roads. The vast majority of your time—specifically a 297.2-mile stretch—is dedicated to I-95, which keeps the pace steady and predictable. While the initial departure requires navigating local streets, the character of the drive quickly shifts to a high-speed interstate grind once you connect to the primary highway. You will find that the road remains consistent throughout the journey, providing a direct path north. Be prepared for a functional, no-nonsense drive that prioritizes speed and direct connectivity over scenic, winding backroads.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 297.2 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and South Ocean Boulevard. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.8 miles in near East Linton Boulevard.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 304.4 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.8 miles (East Linton Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 301.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 303 miles (US 1; US 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 39m. Total distance: 304.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 297.2 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 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 2.8 miles (East Linton Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 301.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 303 miles (US 1; US 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.3 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.
