This 63.1-mile journey from Interlachen, FL to Jacksonville, FL is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 1 hour and 37 minutes. The drive primarily utilizes FL 21 and Grand Avenue before transitioning to the First Coast Expressway. With a modest estimated fuel cost of $10, this route offers an economical option for travel within Florida. The mixed driving profile suggests a varied experience, avoiding a monotonous stretch. Given its short duration and lack of designated stops, you'll have plenty of flexibility in your schedule. This trip is ideal for a quick transition between these two Florida locales.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
31.5 miles from Interlachen, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
FL 21
18 mi
25m
Grand Avenue
13.6 mi
24m
First Coast Expressway
10.8 mi
12m
Normandy Boulevard
8 mi
12m
CR 315C
5.2 mi
9m
I 10
2.1 mi
2m
Union Street
0.7 mi
1m
I 95
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
FL 21
— 18 mi, about 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Interlachen, FL and Jacksonville, FL.
1
Start on this road
94 ft·9 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto Commonwealth Avenue
426 ft·21 sec·Commonwealth Avenue
3
Turn right onto FL 20
0.4 mi·27 sec·FL 20
4
Turn left onto CR 315
14 mi·24 min·Grand Avenue
5
Turn right onto CR 315C
5.2 mi·9 min·CR 315C
6
Turn right onto FL 21
18 mi·25 min·FL 21
7
Continue on FL 21
0.2 mi·25 sec·Blanding Boulevard
8
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward FL 23 Toll North: Jacksonville, Lake City
9
Merge onto FL 23 Toll
11 mi·12 min·First Coast Expressway
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·44 sec
Exit 42Toward FL 228
11
Keep slight right at fork
301 ft·7 sec
Toward FL 228 EastUse the right lane.
12
Turn straight onto FL 228
8.0 mi·12 min·Normandy Boulevard
13
Turn left onto Lenox Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·Lenox Avenue
14
Turn left onto FL 111
0.1 mi·20 sec·Cassat Avenue
Use the left lane.
15
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 10 East: Jacksonville
16
Merge onto I 10
2.1 mi·2 min·I 10
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·33 sec
Toward I 95 South: Jacksonville Beaches, Daytona Beach
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·56 sec
Toward I 95 North: International Airport, SavannahUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 95
0.7 mi·1 min·I 95
20
Take the exit onto US 17; FL 228
0.2 mi·26 sec·US 17; FL 228
Exit 353BToward Union Street, Beaver Street
21
Turn straight onto US 17; US 23; FL 228
0.7 mi·1 min·Union Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
22
Arrive at destination
US 17
Trip Plan
For this relatively short 1-hour and 37-minute drive, you have the advantage of flexibility. Consider departing in the morning to make the most of your day, especially if you plan to explore Jacksonville upon arrival. With no specific stops recommended, you can easily manage your fuel and rest needs as you go. The estimated fuel cost of $10 is quite manageable, but it's always wise to ensure you have a full tank before leaving Interlachen. A practical tip for this route: be aware that FL 21 can have varying speed limits and traffic patterns, so pay attention to posted signs.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 31.5 miles from Interlachen, FL, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 18 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 14 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 31.5 miles or 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 21m
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 Interlachen, FL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Interlachen, FL
This is one driving day of about 63.1 miles and 1h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 14 miles from Interlachen, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on FL 21 for about 18 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 48.8 and 62.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
48.8 mi into trip|~1h 13m in
Take the exit toward FL 228
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 42
Toward FL 228
7
49.2 mi into trip|~1h 14m in
Keep slight right at fork toward FL 228 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward FL 228 East
6
58 mi into trip|~1h 29m in
Take the ramp toward I 10 East: Jacksonville
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Toward I 10 East: Jacksonville
8
60.8 mi into trip|~1h 33m 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
62.2 mi into trip|~1h 34m 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
$10.04 one way
$20.09 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg22 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$10.93
$21.85
premium
$4.72
$11.73
$23.47
diesel
$5.61
$13.93
$27.86
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$35–$60
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 22.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
18.9
0
$6.63
$3.03
Efficient EV
15.8
0
$5.52
$2.52
EV Truck/SUV
25.2
0
$8.83
$4.04
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (68% 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
Interlachen, FL
Late night
in Interlachen on Sunday
Local time
12:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Jacksonville, FL
Late night
in Jacksonville on Sunday
Local time
12:20 AM
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
3 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 37m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed drive on this route, with about 51% of it being highway. You'll experience stretches on FL 21, including a notable 18-mile segment that remains uninterrupted. The drive progresses from more local roads like Grand Avenue to the efficiency of the First Coast Expressway. This blend means you'll get a taste of both quicker highway travel and potentially more varied scenery or local road conditions as you approach Jacksonville. The character of the road changes, offering a dynamic driving experience.
51% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 18 mi on FL 21.
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 48.8 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 63.1 miles you will encounter 17 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 48.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 49.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 58 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Interlachen, FL to Jacksonville, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Lake City along the way.
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 1h 37m. Total distance: 63.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (51%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 18 miles on FL 21. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 48.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 49.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 58 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Jacksonville, FL before heading back.
