Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Jacksonville, FL to Samoset, FL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 45m
Distance
240.1 mi
386 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 32m
★
6 AM
4h 46m
8 AM
5h 12m
10 AM
4h 55m
12 PM
4h 52m
3 PM
4h 56m
5 PM
5h 11m
8 PM
4h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Jacksonville, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Samoset, FL
Matt Fitz Gibaud
Trip Overview
Jacksonville to Samoset is 240 miles and takes about 4 hours 45 minutes via I 75 and US 301, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, moving from the northern part of the state down toward the center. With a high percentage of highway driving, it's a straightforward trip that should feel familiar to most drivers. You'll spend most of your time on major roads, making it a practical choice for a single-day journey without too many surprises.
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
120 miles from Jacksonville, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 30m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 128 mi | 2h 17m |
| Sid Martin Highway | 39 mi | 48m |
| US 301 | 37.5 mi | 47m |
| I 10 | 17.1 mi | 20m |
| Tamiami Trail | 6.2 mi | 8m |
| 1st Street West | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| Northwest 70th Street | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Northwest 77th Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 128 mi, about 2h 17m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 43 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,118 veh/hr typical · worst 4,745
Quietest
2 AM
~405 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Samoset, 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: Jacksonville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 351A
Toward I 10 West: Lake City
Use 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 left at fork onto I 75
45 mi
·
48 min
·
I 75
Toward South I 75: Naples
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Exit 228
Toward I 275 North: Saint Petersburg
Use the slight right lane.
19
Continue on I 275
0.7 mi
·
44 sec
·
I 275
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 2
Toward US 41: Palmetto, Bradenton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork
357 ft
·
11 sec
Toward Palmetto, Bradenton
Use the left / slight right lanes.
22
Turn left onto US 41
6.2 mi
·
8 min
·
Tamiami Trail
23
Continue on US 41; US 301
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
·
Hernando DeSoto Bridge
24
Continue on US 41; US 301
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
1st Street West
25
Keep slight left at fork onto US 301
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
1st Street West
26
Turn right onto 15th Street East
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
·
15th Street East
27
Turn left onto 34th Avenue East
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
34th Avenue East
28
Turn right onto 19th Street East
12 ft
·
0 sec
·
19th Street East
29
Arrive at destination
19th Street East
Trip Plan
Given the 4 hour 45 minute drive time, leaving Jacksonville in the morning should get you to Samoset with plenty of daylight to spare. You'll only need one stop for fuel and rest, and the longest stretch without a break is about 128 miles on I 75. Consider making your single stop around the halfway point to break up the drive. Since this is a one-day trip, you have flexibility; however, pay attention to the transition from I 75 to US 301, as this is where the character of the drive changes.
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 120 miles from Jacksonville, FL, or about 2h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 128 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 53 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 120 miles or 2h 30m 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 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Samoset, 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 240.1 miles and 4h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 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 128 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
120 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 53 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 120 miles from Jacksonville, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 128 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pasco County Rest Area Northbound
0.1 mi from route
Sumter County Rest Area Northbound
0.1 mi from route
Marion County Rest Area Northbound
0.1 mi from route
Hillsborough County Rest Area Northbound
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pasco County Rest Area Southbound
0.2 mi from route
Marion County Rest Area Southbound
0.2 mi from route
Wildwood I-75 Weigh Station Northbound
0.2 mi from route
Hillsborough County Rest Area Southbound
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Wildwood I-75 Weigh Station Southbound
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.4 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1.5 mi from route
TA
1.7 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 205 decision points cluster between mile 2.1 and 230.3 — 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
7
183.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 37m in
|
I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward South I 75: Naples
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward South I 75: Naples
7
228.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 26m in
Take the exit toward I 275 North: Saint Petersburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 228
Toward I 275 North: Saint Petersburg
8
230 mi into trip
|
~4h 29m in
Take the exit toward US 41: Palmetto, Bradenton
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 2
Toward US 41: Palmetto, Bradenton
8
230.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 29m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Palmetto, Bradenton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / slight right lanes.
Toward Palmetto, Bradenton
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.22 one way
$76.43 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
84 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.41 | $41.66 | $83.32 |
| premium | $4.74 | $44.83 | $89.67 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $50.57 | $101.14 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 72 | 0 | $25.21 | $11.52 |
| Efficient EV | 60 | 0 | $21.01 | $9.60 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 96 | 1 | $33.61 | $15.37 |
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% 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.
Origin
Jacksonville, FL
Evening in Jacksonville on Wednesday
Local time
5:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
SE 10 to 14 mph
67% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 24 at 12:50PM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 24 at 12:47PM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Destination
Samoset, FL
Evening in Samoset on Wednesday
Local time
5:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
92°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
5 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 45m 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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 231.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 77% highway, meaning you'll be on major interstates for the bulk of the 240-mile drive. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 128 miles on I 75. Expect a relatively smooth ride with a consistent feel for the majority of your travel. The transition to surface roads like Sid Martin Highway and US 301 will happen later in the trip, offering a change of pace from the interstate cruising.
77% 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: 128 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 Effort
9/10
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 20 significant decision points across 240.1 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 183.1 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 228.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
206 ft
16 ft
Total Climb
290 ft
Total Descent
276 ft
Highest Point
206 ft
~34.3 mi in
Elevation Range
190 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Jacksonville, FL
Full guide →Founded 1791
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
Arriving in Samoset, FL
Full guide →City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 45m. Total distance: 240.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 128 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 29 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 Samoset, 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 29 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 183.1 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 228.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — De Soto National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Samoset, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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