North Fort Myers to Jacksonville is 314.3 miles and takes about 6h 1m via I-75, US-301, and I-10, with a fuel budget near $50 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, moving from the southwest part of the state up towards the northeast. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making it a straightforward drive. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short travel time, this route is very manageable for a single day of driving.
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
157.2 miles from North Fort Myers, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
198.8 mi
3h 33m
US 301
75.9 mi
1h 34m
I 10
16.8 mi
19m
North Tamiami Trail
14.8 mi
19m
Northwest 70th Street
1.5 mi
2m
Tuckers Grade
1.1 mi
2m
FL 326
1.1 mi
1m
Union Street
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 198.8 mi, about 3h 33m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 110 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,859 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,470
Quietest
2 AM
~371 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.4×
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 North Fort Myers, FL and Jacksonville, FL.
1
Start on US 41 Business
3.4 mi·4 min·North Tamiami Trail
Use the left lane.
2
Continue on US 41
11 mi·14 min·North Tamiami Trail
Use the right lane.
3
Turn right onto CR 762
1.1 mi·2 min·Tuckers Grade
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward I 75 North: Tampa
5
Merge onto I 75
199 mi·3 hr 33 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 358Toward FL 326Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Turn slight right
144 ft·4 sec
8
Turn slight right onto FL 326
1.1 mi·1 min·FL 326
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on FL 326
1.5 mi·2 min·Northwest 70th Street
10
Turn left onto US 301; US 441
5.5 mi·6 min·US 301; US 441
Use the left lane.
11
Turn straight onto US 301
52 mi·1 hr 5 min·US 301
Toward North US 301: StarkeUse the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 301
18 mi·22 min·US 301
13
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 10 East: Jacksonville
14
Merge onto I 10
17 mi·19 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·33 sec
Toward I 95 South: Jacksonville Beaches, Daytona Beach
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·56 sec
Toward I 95 North: International Airport, SavannahUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 95
0.7 mi·1 min·I 95
18
Take the exit onto US 17; FL 228
0.2 mi·26 sec·US 17; FL 228
Exit 353BToward Union Street, Beaver Street
19
Turn straight onto US 17; US 23; FL 228
0.7 mi·1 min·Union Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
20
Arrive at destination
US 17
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from North Fort Myers to avoid any potential midday traffic. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility, but plan for your one recommended stop to be around the halfway point to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch on I-75 is nearly 200 miles, and you won't want to be caught low on gas. The $50 fuel estimate should cover the 314.3 miles, but it's always wise to have a little extra budgeted.
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 157.2 miles from North Fort Myers, FL, or about 2h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 198.8 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 69 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 157.2 miles or 2h 53m 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 49m
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 North Fort Myers, 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 North Fort Myers, FL
This is one driving day of about 314.3 miles and 6h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from North Fort Myers, 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 198.8 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 16.3 and 313.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
16.3 mi into trip|~22m in|I 75
Merge onto I 75
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
215.1 mi into trip|~3h 55m 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
5
294.8 mi into trip|~5h 37m in|I 10
Merge onto I 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
312 mi into trip|~5h 57m 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
313.4 mi into trip|~5h 59m 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
$47.58 one way
$95.16 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg110 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$52.21
$104.41
premium
$4.55
$56.30
$112.60
diesel
$4.80
$59.35
$118.69
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 110 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
94.3
1
$33.00
$15.09
Efficient EV
78.6
0
$27.50
$12.57
EV Truck/SUV
125.7
1
$44.00
$20.12
Gas CO2
110 kg
EV CO2
37 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
North Fort Myers, FL
Evening
in North Fort Myers on Monday
Local time
8:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
91°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
W 10 mph44% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 1:59PM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 1:29PM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Destination
Jacksonville, FL
Evening
in Jacksonville on Monday
Local time
8:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
94°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
E 7 to 12 mph21% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 1:59PM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 1:29PM 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
3 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 1m 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.
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 86.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily highway driving, with 93% of it on major roads. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 198.8 miles on I-75. You'll experience a significant amount of highway cruising before transitioning to surface roads. Expect a high density of exits and merges as you navigate these major arteries.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 198.8 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and US 301. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 16.3 miles in near I 75.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 314.3 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 16.3 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 215.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 294.8 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.
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 1m. Total distance: 314.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 1m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 198.8 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza 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 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. There are 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 16.3 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 215.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 294.8 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — De Soto National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 12.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Jacksonville, FL before the return drive.
