Spanning 295.4 miles, this journey from Jacksonville down to South Bay is a straightforward transit through Florida that typically takes about 5 hours and 52 minutes. Because the route is compact enough for a single day of travel, you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations unless you prefer a leisurely pace. Budgeting approximately $49 for fuel should keep you covered for the entire trip. Since the drive remains entirely within the state of Florida, you will experience a consistent regional feel as you transition from the northern coast toward the southern interior. It serves as a practical, highway-focused connection that prioritizes efficiency over coastal detours, making it ideal for those looking to reach their destination without unnecessary complications.
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
147.7 miles from Jacksonville, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 43m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
238.1 mi
4h 17m
Southwest Kanner Highway
11.5 mi
16m
Southwest Allapatah Road
9.1 mi
15m
Conners Highway
8.4 mi
12m
Belle Glade Road
6.3 mi
10m
Main Street
5.7 mi
10m
Southwest Martin Highway
5.4 mi
7m
Southwest Warfield Boulevard
2.6 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 238.1 mi, about 4h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jacksonville, FL and South Bay, 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
238 mi·4 hr 17 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 110Toward FL 714, CR 714: Martin Highway
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·20 sec
Toward CR 714 West: Martin Highway, Florida International Agriculture Exposition CenterUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Turn straight onto CR 714
5.4 mi·7 min·Southwest Martin Highway
12
Turn left onto CR 609
9.1 mi·15 min·Southwest Allapatah Road
13
Turn left onto FL 710
2.6 mi·4 min·Southwest Warfield Boulevard
14
Turn left onto Southwest Indiantown Avenue
0.4 mi·42 sec·Southwest Indiantown Avenue
15
At end of road, turn left onto FL 76
11 mi·16 min·Southwest Kanner Highway
Use the left lane.
16
Turn right onto US 98; US 441
8.4 mi·12 min·Conners Highway
17
Turn right onto US 98; US 441; FL 15
1.5 mi·3 min·Everglades Street
18
Turn slight left onto FL 729
2.3 mi·3 min·North State Market Road
19
Turn left onto US 98; US 441; FL 15
6.3 mi·10 min·Belle Glade Road
20
Continue on FL 15; FL 80
5.2 mi·9 min·Main Street
21
Continue on FL 80
1.8 mi·3 min·East Palm Beach Road
22
Turn left onto US 27
80 ft·10 sec·US 27
23
Arrive at destination
US 27
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 5-hour and 52-minute journey, plan to leave Jacksonville early in the morning to beat potential traffic congestion on I-95. Since the route only requires one planned stop, use that break strategically to refuel and stretch your legs before tackling the final stretch on Southwest Kanner Highway. Keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is simple with a $49 budget, but filling up before hitting the more rural stretches can offer extra peace of mind. Given that this is a one-day trip, your primary advantage is flexibility; don't hesitate to take your single stop whenever you feel fatigued rather than forcing yourself to reach a specific mile marker. Staying alert is key during that long 238.1-mile interstate stretch, so rotate drivers if possible to keep your focus sharp.
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 147.7 miles from Jacksonville, FL, or about 2h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 238.1 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 65 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 147.7 miles or 2h 43m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near South Bay, 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 295.4 miles and 5h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 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 238.1 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 2 and 258.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
2 mi into trip|~5m in|US 1
Keep slight right at fork onto US 1 toward I 95, US 1 South, FL 5 South: Daytona Beach, Philips Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 95, US 1 South, FL 5 South: Daytona Be...
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
6
240.6 mi into trip|~4h 23m in
Take the exit toward FL 714, CR 714: Martin Highway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 110
Toward FL 714, CR 714: Martin Highway
9
240.9 mi into trip|~4h 24m in
Keep slight right at fork toward CR 714 West: Martin Highway, Florida International Agriculture Exposition Center
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward CR 714 West: Martin Highway, Florida Int...
6
258.4 mi into trip|~4h 53m in|FL 76 / Southwest Kanner Highway
At end of road, turn left onto FL 76 / Southwest Kanner Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$47.02 one way
$94.04 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg103 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$51.15
$102.30
premium
$4.72
$54.93
$109.86
diesel
$5.61
$65.22
$130.44
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
88.6
1
$31.02
$14.18
Efficient EV
73.9
0
$25.85
$11.82
EV Truck/SUV
118.2
1
$41.36
$18.91
Gas CO2
103 kg
EV CO2
35 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 16, 2026
Origin
Jacksonville, FL
Night
in Jacksonville on Saturday
Local time
10:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
South Bay, FL
Night
in South Bay on Saturday
Local time
10:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°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
2 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
5h 52m 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
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 50.9
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
~21 min detour
$25
near mile 122.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a drive dominated by high-speed transit, as 81% of your journey is spent on major highways. You will spend the vast majority of your time—specifically 238.1 miles—navigating the consistent flow of I-95 before transitioning onto Southwest Kanner Highway and Southwest Allapatah Road. The experience is primarily a highway-focused grind, perfect for making steady progress toward South Bay. While the start of the trip feels like a standard interstate haul, the final segments off the main highway introduce a change in pace as you move onto local roads. Prepare for a predictable rhythm that allows you to settle into a steady cruising speed for most of the day.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 238.1 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Southwest Kanner Highway. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2 miles in near US 1.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 295.4 miles you will encounter 16 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2 miles (US 1): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 240.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
49 ft16 ft
Total Climb
90 ft
Total Descent
89 ft
Highest Point
49 ft
~123.1 mi in
Elevation Range
34 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 South Bay, FL, road signs point toward Cr 714: Martin Highway, Cr 714 West: Martin Highway and Florida International Agriculture Exposition Center.
Cr 714: Martin Highway
240.6 mi in|~4h 23m
Cr 714 West: Martin Highway
240.9 mi in|~4h 24m
Florida International Agriculture Exposition Center
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 5h 52m. Total distance: 295.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 238.1 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 South Bay, 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 miles (US 1): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 240.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at South Bay, FL before the return drive.
