Jacksonville, FL to Surfside, FL is 341.5 miles and takes about 6h 28m via I 95 and Florida's Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $54 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, so you won't need to worry about changing states or time zones. Given the 97% highway share, expect a straightforward drive for the most part. With only one recommended stop and a duration under seven hours, this route is designed for a single-day trip, making it convenient for a quick transition between the two Florida locations.
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
170.7 miles from Jacksonville, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
221.2 mi
3h 59m
Florida's Turnpike
108.4 mi
1h 59m
Northeast 125th Street
1.7 mi
4m
US 1
1.1 mi
2m
Northeast 123rd Street
1.1 mi
2m
96th Street
1 mi
2m
Broad Causeway
0.8 mi
1m
Northwest 125th Street
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 221.2 mi, about 3h 59m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 142 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,478 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,311
Quietest
2 AM
~280 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 Surfside, 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
1.7 mi·2 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 10AToward SR 922: Northwest 125th StreetUse the slight right lane.
20
Turn left onto SR 922
0.7 mi·1 min·Northwest 125th Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
21
Continue on SR 922
1.7 mi·4 min·Northeast 125th Street
22
Continue on SR 922
0.1 mi·19 sec·North Miami Boulevard
23
Continue on SR 922
1.1 mi·2 min·Northeast 123rd Street
Use the left lane.
24
Continue on SR 922
0.8 mi·1 min·Broad Causeway
25
Continue on SR 922
1.0 mi·2 min·96th Street
26
Turn right onto SR A1A
0.5 mi·1 min·Harding Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Turn right onto 92nd Street
0.2 mi·41 sec·92nd Street
28
Turn left onto Carlyle Avenue
459 ft·20 sec·Carlyle Avenue
29
Arrive at destination
Carlyle Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a single-day drive of about 6 hours and 28 minutes, leaving Jacksonville in the morning is ideal to give you flexibility for a potential stop. The route is mostly highway, so plan to fuel up before you depart or at one of the service plazas along Florida's Turnpike. The longest continuous stretch is over 200 miles, so be mindful of your fuel gauge. Given the relatively short duration, you can easily adjust your departure time based on traffic or personal preference, making it a flexible option for reaching Surfside.
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 170.7 miles from Jacksonville, FL, or about 3h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 221.2 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 75 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 170.7 miles or 3h 8m 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 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Surfside, 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 341.5 miles and 6h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 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 221.2 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 22
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
$54.91 one way
$109.82 round trip
$4.08/gal25.4 MPG avg120 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$59.90
$119.79
premium
$4.78
$64.29
$128.59
diesel
$6.28
$84.38
$168.76
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
$55
Tolls
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$88–$113
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 119.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
102.5
1
$35.86
$16.39
Efficient EV
85.4
0
$29.88
$13.66
EV Truck/SUV
136.6
1
$47.81
$21.86
Gas CO2
119 kg
EV CO2
40 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 Oct 20, 2026
Origin
Jacksonville, FL
Evening
in Jacksonville on Thursday
Local time
5:31 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Sunny
N 9 to 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 20 at 5:01AM EDT until October 23 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 20 at 5:01AM EDT until October 23 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Destination
Surfside, FL
Evening
in Surfside on Thursday
Local time
5:31 PM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Chance Rain Showers
NE 16 to 20 mph34% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 20 at 5:01AM EDT until October 23 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 20 at 5:01AM EDT until October 23 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Jacksonville 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
10 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
6h 28m 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
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 47.1
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 117.8
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...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 341.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend most of your time on highways, with 97% of the 341.5-mile route being on major roads like I 95 and Florida's Turnpike. The longest stretch without a turn or exit is 221.2 miles on I 95, indicating long periods of consistent cruising. Surface roads will only be encountered for about 3% of the trip, primarily near the end, starting around mile 331. You'll notice a high density of exits on I 95 for much of the drive before transitioning to the Turnpike.
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: 221.2 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 22 significant decision points across 341.5 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 222.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
46 ft2 ft
Total Climb
46 ft
Total Descent
59 ft
Highest Point
46 ft
~170.7 mi in
Elevation Range
44 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 Surfside, 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
•Downtown Jacksonville — central business district of Jacksonville, Florida, United States
•Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville — museum in Jacksonville, Florida
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 28m. Total distance: 341.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 28m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 221.2 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 Surfside, 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 6.5 hours each way, a round trip means 13.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Surfside, FL before the return drive.
