Traveling from Jacksonville to Miami Lakes covers 338.7 miles and typically takes about 6 hours and 18 minutes of drive time. Because this journey is almost entirely highway-focused, you can comfortably complete the trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $57 on fuel, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. You will primarily utilize I-95 and Florida's Turnpike to navigate south through the state. This route is a straightforward, practical connection between Northeast Florida and the Miami metropolitan area, making it ideal for those prioritizing speed and efficiency over scenic detours.
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
169.3 miles from Jacksonville, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
219.5 mi
3h 57m
Florida's Turnpike
105.2 mi
1h 56m
Northwest 57th Avenue
4.2 mi
7m
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
3.9 mi
4m
US 1
1.1 mi
2m
Miami Lakes Drive East
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
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jacksonville, FL and Miami Lakes, 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
219 mi·3 hr 57 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
Exit 129Toward FL 70: Okeechobee, Fort PierceUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
492 ft·12 sec
Toward FL 70 West: OkeechobeeUse 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 SouthUse 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, HomesteadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
3.7 mi·4 min·Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Toward HomesteadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 43Toward SR 823: Red Road, Northwest 57th AvenueUse the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork
203 ft·7 sec
Toward SR 823 South: HialeahUse the left lane.
19
Turn left onto SR 823
0.2 mi·22 sec·Red Road
20
Continue on SR 823
4.2 mi·7 min·Northwest 57th Avenue
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn right onto Miami Lakes Drive East
1.1 mi·2 min·Miami Lakes Drive East
22
Arrive at destination
Miami Lakes Drive
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6-hour-plus trek, aim to leave early in the morning to avoid the heaviest congestion near major urban centers. You will likely only need one dedicated stop to refuel and stretch your legs given the manageable duration. Keep in mind that since this is a high-speed route, maintaining a consistent pace is key to keeping your fuel costs near the estimated $57. Because the drive is heavily reliant on toll roads like Florida's Turnpike, ensure your electronic toll pass is ready or that you have a plan for toll payments before you head out. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, as the direct highway path allows you to easily adjust your arrival time based on traffic flow.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 169.3 miles from Jacksonville, FL, or about 3h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 219.5 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 75 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 169.3 miles or 3h 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Miami Lakes, 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 338.7 miles and 6h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 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 219.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 169.3 miles from Jacksonville, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 219.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.3 and 332.8 — 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
8
332.8 mi into trip|~6h 7m in
Take the exit toward SR 823: Red Road, Northwest 57th Avenue
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 43
Toward SR 823: Red Road, Northwest 57th Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$53.91 one way
$107.82 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg119 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$58.65
$117.29
premium
$4.72
$62.98
$125.96
diesel
$5.61
$74.78
$149.56
Estimated Tolls: $7.59
Florida's Turnpike
(105.2 mi)$7.36
Homestead Extension
(3.9 mi)$0.23
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
$54
Tolls
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$87–$112
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 118.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
101.6
1
$35.56
$16.26
Efficient EV
84.7
0
$29.64
$13.55
EV Truck/SUV
135.5
1
$47.42
$21.68
Gas CO2
119 kg
EV CO2
40 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 11, 2026
Origin
Jacksonville, FL
Night
in Jacksonville on Saturday
Local time
10:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Mostly Clear
E 1 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 11 at 2:48PM EDT until April 13 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 11 at 1:47PM EDT until April 13 at 5:00AM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Destination
Miami Lakes, FL
Night
in Miami Lakes on Saturday
Local time
10:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Partly Cloudy
NE 13 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 11 at 2:48PM EDT until April 13 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 11 at 1:47PM EDT until April 13 at 5:00AM EDT by NWS Jacksonville 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
10 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
6h 18m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 46.7
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...
9 mi from route
~24 min detour
$25
near mile 116.8
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...
30 mi from route
~74 min detour
Free
near mile 338.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
With 97% of this trip spent on highways, you should prepare for a consistent, high-speed interstate experience. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on I-95, where you will cover 219.5 miles before transitioning to the next phase of your journey. The road feels like a steady, fast-paced transit through the Florida landscape, eventually shifting from the expansive corridors of I-95 to the toll-managed flow of Florida's Turnpike. As you approach your destination, the final leg involves navigating Northwest 57th Avenue, which integrates you into the local infrastructure of Miami Lakes. It is a predictable drive that rewards focus and steady pacing.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 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 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 338.7 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 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
48 ft5 ft
Total Climb
67 ft
Total Descent
77 ft
Highest Point
48 ft
~225.8 mi in
Elevation Range
43 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 Miami Lakes, FL, road signs point toward Fort Pierce, Miami and Florida's Turnpike South.
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 6h 18m. Total distance: 338.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 18m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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.
Expect about $7.59 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.
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 Miami Lakes, 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 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 — Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, Fort Matanzas National Monument and Canaveral National Seashore (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Miami Lakes, FL before the return drive.
