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Trip from Hudson, 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 54m

Distance

174.6 mi

281 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$28

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 42m ★
6 AM
3h 55m
8 AM
4h 21m
10 AM
4h 4m
12 PM
4h 1m
3 PM
4h 5m
5 PM
4h 19m
8 PM
3h 47m

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

Downtown Hudson, FL, FL

Hudson, FL

DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ

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

Jacksonville, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 174.6-mile drive from Hudson to Jacksonville, Florida, is a straightforward, single-day excursion, taking approximately 3 hours and 54 minutes. The route primarily utilizes FL 121 and Suncoast Boulevard/Commercial Way, with about 48% of the journey on highways. With an estimated fuel cost of $28, this trip is quite budget-friendly. You'll experience a mixed drive, transitioning from more rural Florida landscapes to the busier approach to Jacksonville. It's a manageable distance for a day trip, allowing for a relaxed pace and a single planned stop if desired.

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

87.3 miles from Hudson, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 59m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
FL 121 39.1 mi 51m
Suncoast Boulevard 35 mi 48m
Commercial Way 19.5 mi 25m
US 301 18.1 mi 22m
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 Hudson, FL and Jacksonville, FL.

1

Start on this road

163 ft · 15 sec · this road
2

Turn left

126 ft · 14 sec
3

Turn left onto Hudson Avenue

207 ft · 7 sec · Hudson Avenue
4

Turn left onto US 19

5.9 mi · 8 min · US Highway 19
Use the right lane.
5

Continue on US 19

19 mi · 25 min · Commercial Way
6

Continue on US 19

35 mi · 48 min · Suncoast Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
7

Turn slight right onto FL 121

20 mi · 25 min · FL 121
8

Turn left onto US 41; FL 121

0.7 mi · 1 min · Southwest 7th Street
Use the left lane.
9

Take the ramp onto US 41; FL 121

0.1 mi · 15 sec · US 41; FL 121
Use the slight right lane.
10

Merge onto US 41; US 27 Alternate; FL 121

0.5 mi · 1 min · West Noble Avenue
11

Turn left onto US 27; US 41; FL 121

0.4 mi · 49 sec · Main Street
12

Turn slight right onto FL 121

19 mi · 25 min · FL 121
Use the slight right lane.
13

Continue on FL 331

2.1 mi · 3 min · Southeast Williston Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
14

Continue on FL 24A; FL 331

0.7 mi · 1 min · Southeast 11th Street
15

Continue on FL 24

1.4 mi · 2 min · Waldo Road
16

Continue on FL 24

0.3 mi · 32 sec · Northeast Waldo Road
17

Continue on FL 24

12 mi · 15 min · Waldo Road
Use the left lane.
18

Merge onto US 301

8.8 mi · 11 min · Sid Martin Highway
19

Continue on US 301 ALT

6.4 mi · 7 min · Starke Bypass
Use the straight lane.
20

Continue on US 301 Alternate

3.4 mi · 4 min · US 301 Alternate
21

Continue on US 301

18 mi · 22 min · US 301
22

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min
Toward I 10 East: Jacksonville
23

Merge onto I 10

17 mi · 19 min · I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 33 sec
Toward I 95 South: Jacksonville Beaches, Daytona Beach
25

Keep slight left at fork

0.7 mi · 56 sec
Toward I 95 North: International Airport, Savannah Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
26

Merge onto I 95

0.7 mi · 1 min · I 95
27

Take the exit onto US 17; FL 228

0.2 mi · 26 sec · US 17; FL 228
Exit 353B Toward Union Street, Beaver Street
28

Turn straight onto US 17; US 23; FL 228

0.7 mi · 1 min · Union Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
29

Arrive at destination

US 17

Trip Plan

For this 3-hour, 54-minute trip, leaving early in the morning is recommended to avoid potential traffic as you approach Jacksonville. With only one stop suggested and a total distance of 174.6 miles, you have plenty of flexibility. Consider breaking up the drive around the 39.1-mile mark on FL 121 if you prefer more frequent pauses. The estimated fuel cost is $28, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before you depart, as services might be more spaced out on certain stretches of FL 121. Keep an eye on your navigation as you transition between the main roads mentioned.

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 87.3 miles from Hudson, FL, or about 1h 59m 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 38 miles or 51m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 87.3 miles or 1h 59m 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 14m

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 Hudson, 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 Hudson, FL

This is one driving day of about 174.6 miles and 3h 54m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Hudson, 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

87 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 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Archer, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 87.3 miles from Hudson, 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Artessence Coffee Shop

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Jacksonville, Florida

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 174.6

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+19045862085

Visit website

Wise Guys Deli & Coffee Shop

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Inglis, Florida

1.1 mi

BREW Five Points

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Jacksonville, Florida

1.9 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Setlan Coffee Co.

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Jacksonville, Florida

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 174.6

Hours: 8 am–4:30 pm

+19044799975

Visit website

Birdie Coffee Company

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Jacksonville, Florida

0.5 mi

Bitty & Beau's Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Jacksonville, Florida

1.9 mi

Artessence Coffee Shop

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 174.6

Jacksonville, Florida

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+19045862085

Visit website

Wise Guys Deli & Coffee Shop

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 49.9

Inglis, Florida

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+13527810075

BREW Five Points

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 174.6

Jacksonville, Florida

Hours: 7:30 am–4 pm

+19043745789

Visit website

Ellianos Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 37.4

Crystal River, Florida

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+13522284397

Visit website

Amy's On The Avenue

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 37.4

Crystal River, Florida

Hours: 9 am–3 pm

+13525632697

Visit website

Tea House 650

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour Moderately mile 37.4

Crystal River, Florida

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+13525641500

Visit website

The Roost

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 37.4

Homosassa, Florida

Hours: 8:30 am–5:30 pm

+13524002432

Visit website

Beans and Greens Coffee House

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 37.4

Crystal River, Florida

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+13526991917

Visit website

Setlan Coffee Co.

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 174.6

Jacksonville, Florida

Hours: 8 am–4:30 pm

+19044799975

Visit website

Birdie Coffee Company

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 174.6

Jacksonville, Florida

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

Visit website

Bitty & Beau's Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 174.6

Jacksonville, Florida

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+19046836083

Visit website

Hawk’s Hive Cafe

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Hudson, Florida

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+17278561260

Towers Deli & Coffee

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 174.6

Jacksonville, Florida

Hours: 6:30 am–3:15 pm

+19043980889

Visit website

Book Nook Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 99.8

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: 7 am–1:30 pm

Visit website

Opus Coffee - UF Health East Tower

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 99.8

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: 6:20 am–8 pm

Visit website

It's In The DNA Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 174.6

Jacksonville, Florida

Hours: 7 am–4:30 pm

+13529321539

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 162.1

Jacksonville, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 99.8

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 99.8

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Hampton Inn Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 99.8

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 99.8

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 99.8

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 99.8

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 99.8

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13527457777

Visit website

Blue Grotto Dive Resort

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 74.8

Williston, Florida

+13525285770

Visit website

Crystal River Escape Room

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 37.4

Crystal River, Florida

Hours: 1–9 pm

+13522284084

Visit website

Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 174.6

Jacksonville, Florida

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+19043566857

Visit website

Salty Hook Sandwich Shop

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 37.4

Crystal River, Florida

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+13522284586

Visit website

Depot Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 99.8

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: 6:30 am–11:30 pm

+13523938510

Visit website

Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 99.8

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+13523718001

Visit website

Happy Medium Books Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 174.6

Jacksonville, Florida

Hours: 9 am–6 pm

+19046838447

Visit website

Kanapaha Botanical Gardens

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 99.8

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: Closed

+13523724981

Visit website

DG Market

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 74.8

Morriston, Florida

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+15267044184

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 173.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Hudson Avenue

Turn left onto Hudson Avenue

Navigation decision point

6
80.8 mi into trip | ~1h 48m 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
155.1 mi into trip | ~3h 30m in | I 10

Merge onto I 10

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
172.3 mi into trip | ~3h 50m 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
173.7 mi into trip | ~3h 52m 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

$27.79 one way

$55.58 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 61 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.40 $30.23 $60.46
premium $4.72 $32.47 $64.93
diesel $5.61 $38.55 $77.10

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$28

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$53–$78

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 61.1 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 52.4 0 $18.33 $8.38
Efficient EV 43.7 0 $15.28 $6.98
EV Truck/SUV 69.8 0 $24.44 $11.17

Gas CO2

61 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 18, 2026

Origin

Hudson, FL

Afternoon in Hudson on Sunday

Local time

1:47 PM

EDT

Current temp

65°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Jacksonville, FL

Afternoon in Jacksonville on Sunday

Local time

1:47 PM

EDT

Current temp

64°F

Mostly Clear

S 3 to 9 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Fire Weather Watch

Fire Weather Watch issued April 17 at 2:19PM EDT until April 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL

Fire Weather Watch

Fire Weather Watch issued April 17 at 2:19PM EDT until April 20 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee 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

1 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 54m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a mixed drive on this route, blending highway speeds with more local road segments. You'll cover 48% of the miles on highways, but much of the journey involves roads like FL 121 and Suncoast Boulevard/Commercial Way, which can feel more connected to the surrounding communities. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 39.1 miles on FL 121, offering a good period of consistent driving. This drive isn't a monotonous interstate experience; instead, it offers a varied driving feel as you progress north through Florida.

48% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
29 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?

8/10

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 0.1 miles in near Hudson Avenue.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 174.6 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 0.1 miles (Hudson Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 80.8 miles (US 41; FL 121 / Southwest 7th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 155.1 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 54m. Total distance: 174.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 54m 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 0.1 miles (Hudson Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 80.8 miles (US 41; FL 121 / Southwest 7th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 155.1 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.

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