This 266.7-mile journey from Jacksonville, FL to Cleveland, FL is designed as a single-day adventure, taking approximately 5 hours and 35 minutes to complete. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, with 97% of the drive on interstates like I-95 and I-4, complemented by US-17. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $42, making it a budget-friendly option. Given its manageable length and highway focus, this route is perfectly suited for a one-day drive, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. The overall feel is a straightforward, efficient transit through Florida.
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
133.3 miles from Jacksonville, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 32m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
86.4 mi
1h 34m
US 17
82.2 mi
1h 55m
I 4
82 mi
1h 35m
CR 557
6.4 mi
9m
6th Street Southwest
2.2 mi
4m
US 1
1.1 mi
2m
Lake Shore Way
0.6 mi
1m
Shinn Boulevard
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 86.4 mi, about 1h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jacksonville, FL and Cleveland, 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 BeachUse the straight lane.
8
Merge onto I 95
86 mi·1 hr 34 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 260C-B-A Toward I 4, US 92, FL 400: Daytona Beach, Orlando, International Airport, International SpeedwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on this road
513 ft·12 sec·this road
Exit 260 C B AToward I 4, US 92, FL 400: Daytona Beach, Orlando
11
Keep slight left at fork
1.3 mi·1 min
Toward I 4, FL 400: Orlando, South Daytona
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 260BToward I 4 West: OrlandoUse the slight right lane.
13
Continue on I 4
37 mi·40 min·I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 4
10 mi·13 min·I 4
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 84BToward Ivanhoe BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
16
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·1 min·this road
Toward I 4 West: Tampa
17
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·34 sec·this road
Toward I 4 West: Tampa
18
Merge onto I 4
35 mi·41 min·I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 48Toward CR 557: Lake Alfred, Winter HavenUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn slight left onto CR 557
6.4 mi·9 min·CR 557
21
Turn right onto US 17; US 92
0.6 mi·1 min·Shinn Boulevard
22
Continue on US 17; US 92
0.6 mi·1 min·Lake Shore Way
23
Turn straight onto US 17
3.7 mi·6 min·US 17
Use the left / straight lanes.
24
Continue on US 17
2.2 mi·4 min·6th Street Southwest
25
Continue on US 17
39 mi·55 min·US 17
Use the left lane.
26
Continue on US 17
1.1 mi·1 min·US 17
27
Continue on US 17
2.5 mi·2 min·US 17
28
Continue on US 17
36 mi·48 min·US 17
Use the right lane.
29
Take the exit
119 ft·8 sec
30
Turn left onto US 17
0.1 mi·10 sec·US 17
31
Arrive at destination
US 17
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour and 35-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Jacksonville to bypass potential traffic and maximize daylight hours. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 86.4 miles, you can plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or when you need to refuel. The estimated fuel cost of $42 is a good budget to keep in mind, though it's always wise to have a little extra. A specific tip for this route: pay attention to the transition from I-95 onto US-17, as this is where the character of the drive subtly shifts before you merge onto I-4.
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 133.3 miles from Jacksonville, FL, or about 2h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.4 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 59 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.3 miles or 2h 32m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cleveland, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Jacksonville, FL
This is one driving day of about 266.7 miles and 5h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Jacksonville, 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 86.4 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.3 and 174.2 — 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
88.9 mi into trip|~1h 40m in
Take the exit toward I 4, US 92, FL 400: Daytona Beach, Orlando, International Airport, International Speedway
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 260C-B-A
Toward I 4, US 92, FL 400: Daytona Beach, Orlan...
8
90.5 mi into trip|~1h 43m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 4 West: Orlando
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 260B
Toward I 4 West: Orlando
7
138.1 mi into trip|~2h 38m in
Take the exit toward Ivanhoe Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 84B
Toward Ivanhoe Boulevard
8
174.2 mi into trip|~3h 22m in
Take the exit toward CR 557: Lake Alfred, Winter Haven
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 48
Toward CR 557: Lake Alfred, Winter Haven
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.45 one way
$84.90 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$46.18
$92.36
premium
$4.72
$49.59
$99.18
diesel
$5.61
$58.88
$117.77
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80
0
$28.00
$12.80
Efficient EV
66.7
0
$23.34
$10.67
EV Truck/SUV
106.7
1
$37.34
$17.07
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Jacksonville, FL
Late night
in Jacksonville on Tuesday
Local time
5:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
91°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 2 to 12 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Cleveland, FL
Late night
in Cleveland on Tuesday
Local time
5:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
66°F
Eagle Lake, FL
133 mi in
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
5 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 35m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
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...
5 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 55.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with a substantial 97% of the drive taking place on interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 86.4 miles on I-95, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent highway travel. While the route is largely defined by major roads like I-95, US-17, and I-4, the transition between these highways will offer some variety in the driving experience. This profile suggests a drive geared more towards reaching your destination efficiently rather than a winding, scenic exploration.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 86.4 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and US 17. 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 Effort9/10
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 19 significant decision points across 266.7 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 88.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 90.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Cleveland, FL, road signs point toward Orlando, International Airport, International Speedway, Daytona, Cr 557: Lake Alfred and Winter Haven.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 35m. Total distance: 266.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 86.4 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 Cleveland, 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 2.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 88.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 90.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Castillo de San Marcos National Monument and Fort Matanzas National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Cleveland, FL before the return drive.
