This 309.5-mile drive from Jacksonville to Pompano Beach Highlands in Florida is a substantial journey, clocking in at just under 6 hours. It's designed as a single-day trip, so you can comfortably reach your destination without an overnight stop. The primary routes you'll be taking are I-95 and Florida's Turnpike, with a small portion on US-1, making it a largely highway-focused experience. Expect to spend around $49 on fuel for this trip. This route keeps you within the state of Florida for its entirety, traversing familiar Floridian landscapes as you head south.
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
154.7 miles from Jacksonville, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
264.4 mi
4h 48m
Florida's Turnpike
36.2 mi
38m
US 1
1.1 mi
2m
South Dixie Highway
1.1 mi
2m
Southwest 10th Street
0.9 mi
1m
Okeechobee Road
0.5 mi
<1m
Main Street
0.5 mi
1m
Newnan Street
0.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 264.4 mi, about 4h 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jacksonville, FL and Pompano Beach Highlands, 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
36 mi·38 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 116Toward FL 706: JupiterUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn left onto FL 706
499 ft·19 sec·Indiantown Road
17
Take the ramp
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 South: West Palm Beach
18
Merge onto I 95
37 mi·42 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95
7.4 mi·8 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 41Toward SR 869: Southwest 10th Street, Sawgrass Expressway, NaplesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork
135 ft·6 sec
Toward SR 869: Southwest 10th Street, Sawgrass Expressway, Deerfield BeachUse the left lane.
22
Turn left onto SR 869
0.9 mi·1 min·Southwest 10th Street
Use the left lane.
23
Turn right onto SR 811
1.1 mi·2 min·South Dixie Highway
24
Turn left onto Northeast 48th Street
0.3 mi·43 sec·Northeast 48th Street
25
Turn right onto Northeast 14th Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·Northeast 14th Avenue
26
At end of road, turn right onto Northeast 13th Avenue
0.1 mi·35 sec·Northeast 13th Avenue
27
Turn right onto Northeast 42nd Court
0.1 mi·30 sec·Northeast 42nd Court
28
Turn left onto Northeast 12th Avenue
305 ft·13 sec·Northeast 12th Avenue
29
Arrive at destination
Northeast 12th Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour and 48-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic, especially as you approach South Florida. With a single recommended day, you'll want to plan for one efficient fuel and rest stop. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a significant road change is over 260 miles. Leveraging the highway nature of this route means you can maintain a consistent pace, so focus on a well-timed break rather than frequent, short stops.
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 154.7 miles from Jacksonville, FL, or about 2h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 264.4 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 68 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 154.7 miles or 2h 51m 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pompano Beach Highlands, 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 309.5 miles and 5h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 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 264.4 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 26
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.3 and 306.6 — 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
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
306.3 mi into trip|~5h 40m in
Take the exit toward SR 869: Southwest 10th Street, Sawgrass Expressway, Naples
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 41
Toward SR 869: Southwest 10th Street, Sawgrass...
9
306.6 mi into trip|~5h 41m in
Keep slight left at fork toward SR 869: Southwest 10th Street, Sawgrass Expressway, Deerfield Beach
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward SR 869: Southwest 10th Street, Sawgrass...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.26 one way
$98.53 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg108 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$53.59
$107.18
premium
$4.72
$57.55
$115.10
diesel
$5.61
$68.33
$136.67
Estimated Tolls: $2.54
Florida's Turnpike
(36.2 mi)$2.54
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
$49
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 108.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
92.9
1
$32.50
$14.86
Efficient EV
77.4
0
$27.08
$12.38
EV Truck/SUV
123.8
1
$43.33
$19.81
Gas CO2
108 kg
EV CO2
36 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.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Jacksonville, FL
Morning
in Jacksonville on Tuesday
Local time
6:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Pompano Beach Highlands, FL
Morning
in Pompano Beach Highlands on Tuesday
Local time
6:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°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
19 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 48m 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.
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 53.4
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...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
$25
near mile 117.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is overwhelmingly a highway-focused drive, with 97% of the journey on major roadways. You'll spend most of your time on I-95, experiencing a long, uninterrupted stretch of 264.4 miles. While predominantly interstate, the inclusion of Florida's Turnpike and a brief segment of US-1 suggests a potential for varied highway speeds and environments as you progress south. Prepare for a drive that emphasizes efficient travel over meandering scenic byways.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 264.4 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 Effort10/10
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 26 significant decision points across 309.5 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 223.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Pompano Beach Highlands, 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.
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 48m. Total distance: 309.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 48m 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 264.4 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.54 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 Pompano Beach Highlands, 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 223.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Pompano Beach Highlands, FL before the return drive.
