Jacksonville to Indian Shores is 227 miles and takes about 4h 40m via I 75 and US 301, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive keeps you within Florida for its entirety, transitioning from a predominantly highway experience to more surface road cruising as you near your destination. With a recommended single day for travel, this route is ideal for a straightforward trip without the need for an overnight stop. You'll find it's a practical option for getting from Northeast Florida to the Gulf Coast efficiently.
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
113.5 miles from Jacksonville, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 23m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
82.7 mi
1h 28m
Sid Martin Highway
39 mi
48m
US 301
37.5 mi
47m
I 275
29 mi
35m
I 10
17.1 mi
20m
Ulmerton Road
11.1 mi
18m
Walsingham Road
1.9 mi
3m
Gulf Boulevard
1.5 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 82.7 mi, about 1h 28m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 40 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,234 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,928
Quietest
2 AM
~339 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 103 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 Indian Shores, FL.
1
Start on US 17
210 ft·12 sec·Union Street
2
Turn left onto US 1; US 17; FL 228
281 ft·15 sec·Ocean Street
3
Turn left onto US 1; US 17; FL 228
0.7 mi·1 min·State Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
4
Continue on US 17; US 23; FL 228
0.3 mi·36 sec·Kings Road
5
Take the ramp onto US 17; FL 228
1.1 mi·1 min·US 17; FL 228
Toward I 95 South: JacksonvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 351AToward I 10 West: Lake CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 10; US 17; FL 228
17 mi·20 min·I 10; US 17; FL 228
Use the straight / slight left / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·37 sec
10
Merge onto US 301
0.1 mi·11 sec·US 301
11
Continue on US 301
37 mi·47 min·US 301
Use the left / straight lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 301
39 mi·48 min·Sid Martin Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
13
Turn right onto FL 326
1.5 mi·2 min·Northwest 70th Street
Use the right lane.
14
Continue on FL 326
1.2 mi·2 min·Northwest 77th Street
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 75 South: Tampa
16
Merge onto I 75
83 mi·1 hr 28 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 275
29 mi·35 min·I 275
Exit 274Toward I 275 South: Tampa, Saint PetersburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit onto FL 688; CR 803
0.2 mi·25 sec·FL 688; CR 803
Exit 31Toward FL 688 West: St Pete–Clearwater International Airport, Indian Rocks Beach, LargoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto FL 688
11 mi·18 min·Ulmerton Road
Toward FL 688 West: St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport, Ulmerton RoadUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on FL 688
1.9 mi·3 min·Walsingham Road
21
Continue on FL 688
477 ft·11 sec·Indian Rocks Causeway
22
Continue on FL 688
0.3 mi·49 sec·5th Avenue North
Use the left lane.
23
At end of road, turn left onto FL 699
1.5 mi·3 min·Gulf Boulevard
24
Turn right onto 199th Avenue
95 ft·4 sec·199th Avenue
25
Arrive at destination
199th Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4h 40m drive, consider an early morning departure from Jacksonville to avoid potential midday traffic. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility with stops, but planning one break around the halfway point is advisable. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially after leaving I 75, as services might be less frequent on US 301. The estimated fuel cost of $36 is a good baseline, but always factor in potential price fluctuations.
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 113.5 miles from Jacksonville, FL, or about 2h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.7 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 50 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 113.5 miles or 2h 23m 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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Indian Shores, 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 227 miles and 4h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 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 75 for about 82.7 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.1 and 212.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
2.1 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the exit toward I 10 West: Lake City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 351A
Toward I 10 West: Lake City
6
58.2 mi into trip|~1h 15m in|US 301 / Sid Martin Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 301 / Sid Martin Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
9
183.1 mi into trip|~3h 37m in|I 275
Keep slight right at fork onto I 275 toward I 275 South: Tampa, Saint Petersburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 274
Toward I 275 South: Tampa, Saint Petersburg
8
212.1 mi into trip|~4h 13m in|FL 688; CR 803
Take the exit onto FL 688; CR 803 toward FL 688 West: St Pete–Clearwater International Airport, Indian Rocks Beach, Largo
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 31
Toward FL 688 West: St Pete–Clearwater Internat...
8
212.2 mi into trip|~4h 13m in|FL 688 / Ulmerton Road
Keep slight right at fork onto FL 688 / Ulmerton Road toward FL 688 West: St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport, Ulmerton Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward FL 688 West: St. Pete-Clearwater Interna...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.50 one way
$73.00 round trip
$4.08/gal25.4 MPG avg79 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$39.81
$79.63
premium
$4.78
$42.74
$85.47
diesel
$6.28
$56.09
$112.18
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
68.1
0
$23.84
$10.90
Efficient EV
56.8
0
$19.86
$9.08
EV Truck/SUV
90.8
1
$31.78
$14.53
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (66% 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Jacksonville, FL
Late night
in Jacksonville on Saturday
Local time
3:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Mostly Sunny
N 16 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 7:08AM CDT until October 20 at 6:00AM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 2:34AM EDT until October 22 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Destination
Indian Shores, FL
Late night
in Indian Shores on Saturday
Local time
3:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°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
4h 40m 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.
De Soto National Memorial
National Memorial
In May 1539, Conquistador Hernando de Soto’s army of soldiers, hired mercenaries, craftsmen, and clergy made landfall in Tampa Bay. They were met with fierce resistance of indigenous people protecting...
26 mi from route
~66 min detour
Free
near mile 211.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is mostly highway, with 74% of the 227 miles spent on major roads like I 75. You'll encounter your longest continuous stretch on I 75, covering 82.7 miles. The route transitions to more surface roads, including portions of Sid Martin Highway and US 301, after leaving the interstate system. Expect a more rural cruising feel once you are off the main interstate.
74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 82.7 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Sid Martin Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.1 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 18 significant decision points across 227 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 2.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 58.2 miles (US 301 / Sid Martin Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 183.1 miles (I 275): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
176 ft4 ft
Total Climb
296 ft
Total Descent
305 ft
Highest Point
176 ft
~32.4 mi in
Elevation Range
172 ft
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 Indian Shores, FL, road signs point toward Saint Petersburg, Indian Rocks Beach and Largo.
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
•Downtown Jacksonville — central business district of Jacksonville, Florida, United States
•Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville — museum in Jacksonville, Florida
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 40m. Total distance: 227 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 82.7 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 25 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 Indian Shores, 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. There are 25 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 58.2 miles (US 301 / Sid Martin Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 183.1 miles (I 275): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — De Soto National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Indian Shores, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
