Jacksonville, FL to South Miami, FL is 351.6 miles and takes about 6h 37m via I 95 and Florida's Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $55 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the state of Florida, taking you from the Northeast part of the state down the Atlantic coast and then inland towards South Florida. The majority of the route is on major highways, making it a straightforward drive for those looking to get from Point A to Point B efficiently. Given the relatively short duration, it's an ideal one-day trip, especially if you get an early start.
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
175.8 miles from Jacksonville, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
233.3 mi
4h 16m
Florida's Turnpike
108.4 mi
1h 59m
South Dixie Highway
3 mi
5m
US 1
1.1 mi
2m
Dixie Highway
0.9 mi
1m
Okeechobee Road
0.5 mi
<1m
Main Street
0.5 mi
1m
Southwest 70th Street
0.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 233.3 mi, about 4h 16m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 71 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,498 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,230
Quietest
2 AM
~274 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.8×
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 South Miami, 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
108 mi·1 hr 59 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I 95, US 441, SR 826 West
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 95, US 441
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward I 95 SouthUse the straight / slight left lanes.
18
Merge onto I 95
14 mi·18 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on US 1
0.9 mi·1 min·Dixie Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
20
Continue on US 1
3.0 mi·5 min·South Dixie Highway
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn right onto Southwest 70th Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Southwest 70th Street
22
Turn right onto Southwest 62nd Avenue
0.1 mi·20 sec·Southwest 62nd Avenue
23
Turn right onto Southwest 68th Street
67 ft·2 sec·Southwest 68th Street
24
Arrive at destination
Southwest 68th Street
Trip Plan
For this 6-hour drive, consider leaving Jacksonville early in the morning to avoid the worst of the traffic and maximize daylight. You'll be on the highway for most of the trip, so plan for a fuel stop around the halfway point or when you see your gauge get low. The longest stretch without a major road change is over 233 miles on I 95, so be sure to take a break before or after that segment. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility; however, keeping an eye on the time will help you arrive in South Miami with plenty of daylight left.
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 175.8 miles from Jacksonville, FL, or about 3h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 233.3 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 77 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 175.8 miles or 3h 13m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near South Miami, 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 351.6 miles and 6h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 77 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 233.3 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.3 and 333.2 — 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
7
333.2 mi into trip|~6h 9m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 95 South
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$55.97 one way
$111.93 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg123 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$61.00
$122.01
premium
$4.74
$65.66
$131.31
diesel
$5.35
$74.06
$148.11
Estimated Tolls: $7.59
Florida's Turnpike
(108.4 mi)$7.59
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
$56
Tolls
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$89–$114
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 123 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
105.5
1
$36.92
$16.88
Efficient EV
87.9
1
$30.77
$14.06
EV Truck/SUV
140.6
1
$49.22
$22.50
Gas CO2
123 kg
EV CO2
41 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 Jun 2, 2026
Origin
Jacksonville, FL
Afternoon
in Jacksonville on Wednesday
Local time
3:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
N 6 to 15 mph66% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued June 2 at 12:23PM CDT until June 6 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued June 2 at 10:46AM EDT until June 5 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Destination
South Miami, FL
Afternoon
in South Miami on Wednesday
Local time
3:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
E 6 mph68% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued June 2 at 12:23PM CDT until June 6 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued June 2 at 10:46AM EDT until June 5 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
6h 37m 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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 48.5
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...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
$25
near mile 121.3
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...
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
Free
near mile 351.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on highways for 97% of this 351.6-mile trip. The longest continuous stretch on the highway is 233.3 miles along I 95. Expect a significant amount of time on I 95 and Florida's Turnpike before transitioning to South Dixie Highway. This means you'll encounter many exits and potentially dense traffic as you approach South Miami.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 233.3 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 20 significant decision points across 351.6 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
38 ft9 ft
Total Climb
34 ft
Total Descent
41 ft
Highest Point
38 ft
~50.2 mi in
Elevation Range
30 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 Miami, FL, road signs point toward Fort Pierce, Miami and Florida's Turnpike South.
Fort Pierce
221.9 mi in|~4h 3m
Miami
223.2 mi in|~4h 6m
Florida's Turnpike South
223.2 mi in|~4h 6m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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 6h 37m. Total distance: 351.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 37m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 233.3 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.
Yes — we found about 28 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 South Miami, 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 28 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at South Miami, FL before the return drive.
