Jacksonville to Grant-Valkaria is 184.7 miles and takes about 3h 31m via I 95 and surface roads, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Florida, starting in the north and heading south. Given its mostly highway profile, it's a straightforward trip suitable for a single day. You'll spend the majority of your time on I 95, so expect a consistent cruising speed for most of the journey. Consider this a practical option when you need to get from point A to point B efficiently.
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
92.4 miles from Jacksonville, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 43m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
175.2 mi
3h 10m
Corey Road
3.1 mi
7m
Malabar Road
2.6 mi
4m
US 1
1.1 mi
2m
Valkaria Road
0.8 mi
1m
Main Street
0.5 mi
1m
Newnan Street
0.4 mi
1m
Ponderosa Road
0.3 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 175.2 mi, about 3h 10m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 42 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,110 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,822
Quietest
2 AM
~275 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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Averaged across 52 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 Grant-Valkaria, 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
175 mi·3 hr 10 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Exit 173Toward FL 514: Palm Bay, MalabarUse the slight right lane.
10
Turn left onto FL 514
2.6 mi·4 min·Malabar Road
Use the left lane.
11
Turn right onto Corey Road
3.1 mi·7 min·Corey Road
12
Turn left onto Valkaria Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Valkaria Road
13
Turn right onto Ponderosa Road
0.3 mi·1 min·Ponderosa Road
14
Arrive at destination
Ponderosa Road
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 3h 31m drive, leaving in the morning is recommended to avoid any potential afternoon traffic. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, you have flexibility. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $32 budget suggests planning for at least one fill-up. The longest stretch on I 95 is over 175 miles, so ensure you're comfortable with that sustained highway driving before you depart. Once you exit I 95, pay attention to signage for Corey Road and Malabar Road as you make your final approach.
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 92.4 miles from Jacksonville, FL, or about 1h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 175.2 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 41 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 92.4 miles or 1h 43m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Grant-Valkaria, 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 184.7 miles and 3h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 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 175.2 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 and 178.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
2 mi into trip|~5m in|US 1
Keep slight right at fork onto US 1 toward I 95, US 1 South, FL 5 South: Daytona Beach, Philips Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 95, US 1 South, FL 5 South: Daytona Be...
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
5
2.5 mi into trip|~6m in|I 95
Merge onto I 95
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
177.7 mi into trip|~3h 16m in
Take the exit toward FL 514: Palm Bay, Malabar
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 173
Toward FL 514: Palm Bay, Malabar
5
178.1 mi into trip|~3h 17m in|FL 514 / Malabar Road
Turn left onto FL 514 / Malabar Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.40 one way
$58.80 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg65 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$32.05
$64.09
premium
$4.74
$34.49
$68.98
diesel
$5.35
$38.90
$77.81
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 64.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
55.4
0
$19.39
$8.87
Efficient EV
46.2
0
$16.16
$7.39
EV Truck/SUV
73.9
0
$25.86
$11.82
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (66% 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 May 25, 2026
Origin
Jacksonville, FL
Evening
in Jacksonville on Wednesday
Local time
5:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 6 mph22% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued May 25 at 4:50AM EDT until May 26 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued May 25 at 4:50AM EDT until May 26 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Destination
Grant-Valkaria, FL
Evening
in Grant-Valkaria on Wednesday
Local time
5:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
SE 5 to 10 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued May 25 at 4:50AM EDT until May 26 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued May 25 at 4:50AM EDT until May 26 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Miami 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
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
3h 31m 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.
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...
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 95% highway, meaning you'll be on I 95 for the vast majority of the 184.7 miles. The longest continuous stretch on the interstate is 175.2 miles. As you approach your destination, you'll transition from I 95 to local roads like Corey Road and Malabar Road. Expect a high volume of exits on I 95 for much of the drive before the landscape opens up on the final surface road segments.
95% 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: 175.2 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Corey Road. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2 miles in near US 1.
Driving Effort5/10
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 184.7 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 miles (US 1): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.5 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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 3h 31m. Total distance: 184.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 175.2 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 18 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 2 miles (US 1): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.5 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Fort Matanzas National Monument, Castillo de San Marcos National Monument and Canaveral National Seashore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Grant-Valkaria, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
