West Palm Beach Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Jacksonville, FL to Big Pine Key, FL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
9h 26m
Distance
473.2 mi
762 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$76
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
9h 18m
★
6 AM
9h 26m
8 AM
9h 43m
10 AM
9h 32m
12 PM
9h 30m
3 PM
9h 33m
5 PM
9h 42m
8 PM
9h 21m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Jacksonville, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Big Pine Key, FL
DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ
Trip Overview
Jacksonville, FL to Big Pine Key, FL is 473.2 miles and takes about 9h 26m via I 95 and Florida's Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $74 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive keeps you within Florida for its entirety, transitioning from major interstate cruising to a more distinctive highway experience as you approach the Keys. It's a route best tackled over two days to truly enjoy the change in scenery and avoid a marathon driving session. Consider this trip if you're looking for a straightforward drive down the Atlantic coast and into the unique environment of South Florida.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
236.6 miles from Jacksonville, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 21m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 219.5 mi | 3h 57m |
| Florida's Turnpike | 105.2 mi | 1h 56m |
| Overseas Highway | 77.4 mi | 2h |
| Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike | 47.1 mi | 54m |
| Dixie Highway | 19.2 mi | 26m |
| US 1 | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Okeechobee Road | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Main Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 219.5 mi, about 3h 57m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 142 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,478 veh/hr typical · worst 4,311
Quietest
2 AM
~280 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 105 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jacksonville, FL and Big Pine Key, FL.
1
Start on US 17
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
Union Street
2
Turn right onto Newnan Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Newnan Street
3
Turn right onto FL 228
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
East Forsyth Street
4
Turn left onto US 1; US 90
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
5
Take the ramp onto US 1; US 90
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
US 1; US 90
Toward I 95 South
6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 1
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
US 1
Toward I 95, US 1 South, FL 5 South: Daytona Beach, Philips Highway
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward I 95 South: Daytona Beach
Use the straight lane.
8
Merge onto I 95
219 mi
·
3 hr 57 min
·
I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
Exit 129
Toward FL 70: Okeechobee, Fort Pierce
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
492 ft
·
12 sec
Toward FL 70 West: Okeechobee
Use the right lane.
11
Merge onto FL 70
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
Okeechobee Road
12
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
Use the left / uturn lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike South
Use the left lane.
14
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
105 mi
·
1 hr 56 min
·
Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll South, Homestead
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
47 mi
·
54 min
·
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Toward Homestead
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
18
Merge onto US 1
19 mi
·
26 min
·
Dixie Highway
Use the left lane.
19
Continue on US 1
77 mi
·
2 hr
·
Overseas Highway
Use the straight lane.
20
Arrive at destination
US 1
Trip Plan
Given the 9h 26m estimated drive time, planning for two days is highly recommended to make this trip more relaxed. Aim to depart early in the morning from Jacksonville to maximize daylight and cover a good portion of the interstate miles. Your longest stretch without a major break will be 219.5 miles on I 95, so plan for fuel and rest stops before you need them. Splitting the drive around the Fort Pierce or West Palm Beach area would provide a good midway point with plenty of amenities. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you get onto the Overseas Highway, where services can be less frequent.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 236.6 miles from Jacksonville, FL, or about 4h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 219.5 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 104 miles or 1h 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 236.6 miles or 4h 21m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 236.6 miles or 4h 21m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Big Pine Key, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Jacksonville, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Jacksonville, FL
Aim for roughly 237 miles and 4.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Big Pine Key, FL
Aim for roughly 237 miles and 4.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 104 miles from Jacksonville, FL.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 95 for about 219.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
237 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Hialeah Gardens, FLOvernight Options
Night 1
237 mi · about 4.7h in
A practical overnight split lands near Hialeah Gardens, FL after about 237 miles or 4.7 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 104 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 236.6 miles from Jacksonville, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 219.5 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 237 miles or 4.7 hours on the road.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
ONE9 Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pompano Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
40392
0.1 mi from route
40391
0.1 mi from route
50341
0.1 mi from route
Saint Johns County Rest Area I-95 Southbound
0.1 mi from route
Saint Johns County Rest Area I-95 Northbound
0.1 mi from route
Snapper Creek Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Port Saint Lucie - Fort Pierce Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
20331
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
50382
0.2 mi from route
50342
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
20332
0.3 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.4 mi from route
50381
0.7 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 2.3 and 328.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
2.3 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South: Daytona Beach
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 95 South: Daytona Beach
8
221.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 3m in
Take the exit toward FL 70: Okeechobee, Fort Pierce
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 129
Toward FL 70: Okeechobee, Fort Pierce
7
222.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 4m in
Keep slight right at fork toward FL 70 West: Okeechobee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward FL 70 West: Okeechobee
8
223.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 6m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike South
7
328.9 mi into trip
|
~6h 3m in
|
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Take the exit onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike toward Florida's Turnpike Toll South, Homestead
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll South, Homestead
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$76.08 one way
$152.17 round trip
$4.08/gal
25.4 MPG avg
166 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.44 | $82.75 | $165.51 |
| premium | $4.78 | $89.01 | $178.03 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $115.11 | $230.23 |
Estimated Tolls: $10.18
Florida's Turnpike
(105.2 mi)
$7.36
Homestead Extension
(47.1 mi)
$2.82
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$76
Tolls
$10
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$216–$326
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 165.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $50 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 142 | 1 | $49.69 | $22.71 |
| Efficient EV | 118.3 | 1 | $41.41 | $18.93 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 189.3 | 2 | $66.25 | $30.28 |
Gas CO2
166 kg
EV CO2
55 kg (67% 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.
Origin
Jacksonville, FL
Afternoon in Jacksonville on Saturday
Local time
12:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
W 6 mph
15% chance
Live forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 17 at 3:40AM EDT until October 20 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 17 at 3:10AM EDT until October 18 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Destination
Big Pine Key, FL
Afternoon in Big Pine Key on Saturday
Local time
12:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
E 0 to 5 mph
49% chance
Live forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 17 at 3:40AM EDT until October 20 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 17 at 3:10AM EDT until October 18 at 2:00AM 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
9 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
9h 26m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Fort Matanzas National Monument
National Monument
Fort Matanzas National Monument preserves the fortified coquina watchtower, completed in 1742, which defended the southern approach to the Spanish military settlement of St. Augustine. It also protect...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 49
View on nps.gov
Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
National Monument
Built by the Spanish in St. Augustine to defend Florida and the Atlantic trade route, Castillo de San Marcos National Monument preserves the oldest masonry fortification in the continental United Stat...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
$15
near mile 32.6
View on nps.gov
Canaveral National Seashore
National Seashore
Discover a dynamic barrier island shaped by dunes, coastal hammocks, and Mosquito Lagoon. Walk among ancient Timucua shell mounds and connect with thousands of years of human history. Immerse yourself...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
$25
near mile 114.2
View on nps.gov
Biscayne National Park
National Park
Within sight of Miami, yet worlds away, Biscayne protects a rare combination of aquamarine waters, emerald islands, and fish-bejeweled coral reefs. Evidence of 10,000 years of human history is here to...
15 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 359
View on nps.gov
Everglades National Park
National Park
Established in 1947 as the first national park created for its biodiversity, Everglades National Park protects 1.5 million acres of wetland, forest, and marine habitats and the native plants and anima...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
$35
near mile 375.3
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is predominantly highway driving, with 79% of the route on major roads. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 219.5 miles on I 95, offering uninterrupted cruising. The transition to surface roads begins as you approach the Overseas Highway, where you'll notice a different pace with more local traffic and frequent exits. The latter part of the drive will feel like a distinct shift from interstate speeds to a more scenic, island-hopping feel.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 219.5 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Florida's Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.3 miles in.
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 17 significant decision points across 473.2 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 2.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 221.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 222.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
59 ft
6 ft
Total Climb
59 ft
Total Descent
69 ft
Highest Point
59 ft
~33.8 mi in
Elevation Range
54 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Jacksonville, FL and Big Pine Key, FL, road signs point toward Fort Pierce, Miami, Florida's Turnpike South, Florida's Turnpike Toll South and Homestead.
Fort Pierce
221.9 mi in
|
~4h 3m
Miami
223.2 mi in
|
~4h 6m
Florida's Turnpike South
223.2 mi in
|
~4h 6m
Florida's Turnpike Toll South
328.9 mi in
|
~6h 3m
|
via Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Homestead
328.9 mi in
|
~6h 3m
|
via Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
About the Cities
Starting in Jacksonville, FL
Full guide →Founded 1791
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.
Top landmarks
- • Fort Caroline — fort in Florida managed by the National Park Service
- • Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville — museum in Jacksonville, Florida
- • Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve — wetlands in Florida (U.S.) managed by the National Park Service
Arriving in Big Pine Key, FL
Full guide →Big Pine Key is in the Florida Keys. Upper Sugarloaf Key, Cudjoe Key, Summerland Key, Ramrod Key, Little Torch Key and Bahia Honda Key are all nearby.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 219.5 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 237 miles on day one.
Expect about $10.18 in tolls one way, starting with Florida's Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 29 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Big Pine Key, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 29 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 221.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 222.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Fort Matanzas National Monument, Castillo de San Marcos National Monument and Canaveral National Seashore (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 9.4 hours each way, a round trip means 18.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Big Pine Key, FL before the return drive.
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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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