Leesburg to Jacksonville is 141.7 miles and takes about 2h 58m via US 301 and I-75/I-10, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route is a straightforward drive within Florida, connecting two distinct regions of the state. Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience, making it a practical choice for a quick trip. With a recommended one-day duration and a modest fuel cost, it’s an accessible option for many travelers.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
70.9 miles from Leesburg, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 29m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 301
75.9 mi
1h 34m
I 75
27.8 mi
29m
I 10
16.8 mi
19m
FL 44
11.9 mi
17m
West Main Street
2.3 mi
4m
Northwest 70th Street
1.5 mi
2m
FL 326
1.1 mi
1m
Union Street
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 301
— 75.9 mi, about 1h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Leesburg, FL and Jacksonville, FL.
1
Start on South 6th Street
170 ft·9 sec·South 6th Street
2
Turn right onto West Magnolia Street
411 ft·20 sec·West Magnolia Street
3
Turn right onto South 9th Street
281 ft·19 sec·South 9th Street
4
Turn left onto West Main Street
2.3 mi·4 min·West Main Street
5
Continue on FL 44
12 mi·17 min·FL 44
Use the straight lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·49 sec
Use the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto I 75
28 mi·29 min·I 75
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 358Toward FL 326Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn slight right
144 ft·4 sec
10
Turn slight right onto FL 326
1.1 mi·1 min·FL 326
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Continue on FL 326
1.5 mi·2 min·Northwest 70th Street
12
Turn left onto US 301; US 441
5.5 mi·6 min·US 301; US 441
Use the left lane.
13
Turn straight onto US 301
52 mi·1 hr 5 min·US 301
Toward North US 301: StarkeUse the straight lane.
14
Continue on US 301
18 mi·22 min·US 301
15
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 10 East: Jacksonville
16
Merge onto I 10
17 mi·19 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·33 sec
Toward I 95 South: Jacksonville Beaches, Daytona Beach
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·56 sec
Toward I 95 North: International Airport, SavannahUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 95
0.7 mi·1 min·I 95
20
Take the exit onto US 17; FL 228
0.2 mi·26 sec·US 17; FL 228
Exit 353BToward Union Street, Beaver Street
21
Turn straight onto US 17; US 23; FL 228
0.7 mi·1 min·Union Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
22
Arrive at destination
US 17
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 58m duration, you can easily complete this trip in a single day, leaving you with flexibility for departure time. Consider an early morning start to avoid any potential midday traffic, especially as you approach Jacksonville. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 75.9 miles on US 301, so be sure to fuel up before heading out of Leesburg. With a fuel cost estimate of $23, it's an economical journey, but keep an eye out for official rest areas along I-75 and I-10 for necessary breaks.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 70.9 miles from Leesburg, FL, or about 1h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 75.9 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 31 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 70.9 miles or 1h 29m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jacksonville, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Leesburg, 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 Leesburg, FL
This is one driving day of about 141.7 miles and 2h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Leesburg, 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 US 301 for about 75.9 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 0 and 140.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|West Magnolia Street
Turn right onto West Magnolia Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|South 9th Street
Turn right onto South 9th Street
Navigation decision point
7
42.5 mi into trip|~52m in
Take the exit toward FL 326
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 358
Toward FL 326
8
139.4 mi into trip|~2h 54m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: International Airport, Savannah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 North: International Airport, Savan...
6
140.8 mi into trip|~2h 56m in|US 17; FL 228
Take the exit onto US 17; FL 228 toward Union Street, Beaver Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 353B
Toward Union Street, Beaver Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.55 one way
$45.11 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg50 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$24.54
$49.07
premium
$4.72
$26.35
$52.70
diesel
$5.61
$31.29
$62.57
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
42.5
0
$14.88
$6.80
Efficient EV
35.4
0
$12.40
$5.67
EV Truck/SUV
56.7
0
$19.84
$9.07
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 17, 2026
Origin
Leesburg, FL
Morning
in Leesburg on Sunday
Local time
10:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Jacksonville, FL
Morning
in Jacksonville on Sunday
Local time
10:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Sunny
SW 5 to 8 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Fire Weather Watch
Fire Weather Watch issued April 17 at 1:36PM EDT until April 20 at 9:00PM 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
30 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
2h 58m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 95% of the journey taking place on major roads like US 301, I-75, and I-10. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 75.9 miles on US 301, which will likely set the initial tone for your drive. As you progress, the route transitions to interstate highways, offering a faster pace for the latter half of your trip. The overall character is one of efficient travel rather than scenic exploration.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 75.9 mi on US 301.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 301 and I 75. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West Magnolia Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 141.7 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: near the start (West Magnolia Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (South 9th Street): Navigation decision point; at 42.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 2h 58m. Total distance: 141.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 75.9 miles on US 301. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Jacksonville, 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: near the start (West Magnolia Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (South 9th Street): Navigation decision point; at 42.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Jacksonville, FL before heading back.
