Jacksonville to Redington Beach is 227.2 miles and takes about 4h 39m via I 75 and US 301, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Florida, taking you from the northern part of the state down towards the Gulf Coast. Most of your travel will be on highways, making it a straightforward trip. The drive is generally efficient, with a single recommended stop, so you can plan for a relatively quick transit between these two points. Consider this a practical option if you need to get from Jacksonville to the St. Petersburg area without a lot of fuss.
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
113.6 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
32.2 mi
39m
I 10
17.1 mi
20m
Park Boulevard
4.2 mi
7m
Park Boulevard North
1.8 mi
3m
Seminole Boulevard
1.5 mi
2m
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
~3,204 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,885
Quietest
2 AM
~334 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Redington Beach, 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
32 mi·39 min·I 275
Exit 274Toward I 275 South: Tampa, Saint PetersburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 28Toward FL 694 West: Pinellas Park, Seminole, Indian ShoresUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto FL 694
0.9 mi·1 min·Gandy Boulevard
Use the left lane.
20
Continue on FL 694
0.5 mi·49 sec·Gandy Boulevard
21
Continue on FL 694
4.2 mi·7 min·Park Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto CR 694
1.8 mi·3 min·Park Boulevard North
Use the straight lane.
23
Turn left onto US-19 ALT
1.5 mi·2 min·Seminole Boulevard
Use the left lane.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 666
0.5 mi·55 sec·Welch Causeway
Toward SR 666: Madeira Beach, Redington BeachUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on FL 666
0.1 mi·17 sec·Tom Suart Causeway
26
Continue on FL 666
0.9 mi·1 min·Tom Stuart Causeway
Use the left / straight lanes.
27
Turn right onto FL 699
0.8 mi·1 min·Gulf Boulevard
Use the right lane.
28
Arrive at destination
FL 699
Trip Plan
For this 4-and-a-half-hour drive, leaving Jacksonville in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $36, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. The longest continuous stretch on I 75 is over 80 miles, so plan your break accordingly. Since it's a manageable distance, you have flexibility if you decide to leave a bit later. Just be aware that the highway portion is substantial, so ensure you have enough fuel before heading out.
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 113.6 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 113.6 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 Redington Beach, 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 227.2 miles and 4h 39m.
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.
Home stretch
4.1 mi from route
~10 min detour
$10 to $20
St. Petersburg, Florida
Hours: 11 AM–3 AM
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 2.1 and 224.9 — 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
215.3 mi into trip|~4h 17m in
Take the exit toward FL 694 West: Pinellas Park, Seminole, Indian Shores
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 28
Toward FL 694 West: Pinellas Park, Seminole, In...
8
224.9 mi into trip|~4h 34m in|FL 666 / Welch Causeway
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 666 / Welch Causeway toward SR 666: Madeira Beach, Redington Beach
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward SR 666: Madeira Beach, Redington Beach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.39 one way
$68.79 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg80 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$37.74
$75.48
premium
$4.55
$40.70
$81.40
diesel
$4.80
$42.90
$85.80
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
68.2
0
$23.86
$10.91
Efficient EV
56.8
0
$19.88
$9.09
EV Truck/SUV
90.9
1
$31.81
$14.54
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Jacksonville, FL
Late night
in Jacksonville on Monday
Local time
3:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
94°F
Sunny
S 8 to 12 mph12% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 2:20PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Destination
Redington Beach, FL
Late night
in Redington Beach on Monday
Local time
3:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 17 mph55% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 2:20PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee 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
8 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
4h 39m 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...
22 mi from route
~56 min detour
Free
near mile 227.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect about 75% of this drive to be on highways. You'll spend the longest stretch, 82.7 miles, on I 75. The transition from highway cruising to surface roads will occur as you approach your destination. Keep an eye out for the increasing number of exits as you get closer to the Tampa Bay area.
75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 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?
10/10
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 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 19 significant decision points across 227.2 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
177 ft16 ft
Total Climb
288 ft
Total Descent
264 ft
Highest Point
177 ft
~32.5 mi in
Elevation Range
162 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 Redington Beach, FL, road signs point toward Saint Petersburg, Seminole and Indian Shores.
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 4h 39m. Total distance: 227.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). 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 24 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 Redington Beach, 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 24 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 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Redington Beach, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
