Origin
Palatka, FL
Morning in Palatka on Tuesday
Local time
8:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Palatka, FL to Jacksonville, FL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 20m
Distance
62.2 mi
100 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 14m
★
6 AM
1h 20m
8 AM
1h 33m
10 AM
1h 25m
12 PM
1h 23m
3 PM
1h 25m
5 PM
1h 32m
8 PM
1h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Palatka, FL
DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ
Jacksonville, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 62.2-mile drive from Palatka to Jacksonville, Florida, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes to complete. The route primarily utilizes I-95, with brief stints on FL 207 and crossing the Memorial Bridge, making it a highway-focused experience. With an estimated fuel cost of just $10, this is an economical journey. Given its short duration and focus on major roadways, it's ideal for a quick transit between these two Florida locations without needing an overnight stop.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 37.3 mi | 41m |
| FL 207 | 19.4 mi | 26m |
| Memorial Bridge | 2.1 mi | 4m |
| US 1 | 1.3 mi | 3m |
| Reid Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Beaver Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Union Street | <0.1 mi | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 37.3 mi, about 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Palatka, FL and Jacksonville, FL.
1
Start on US 17; FL 100
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Reid Street
2
Continue on US 17; FL 100
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Memorial Bridge
3
Turn left onto FL 207
19 mi
·
26 min
·
FL 207
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
Toward I 95 North: Jacksonville
5
Merge onto I 95
37 mi
·
41 min
·
I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork
1.1 mi
·
2 min
Toward US 90, US 1, FL 13: Downtown, Main Street, Acosta
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 1; US 90
287 ft
·
6 sec
·
US 1; US 90
Toward US 90, US 1: Main Street, Ocean Street, Newnan Street, Prudential Drive
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1; US 90
1.2 mi
·
3 min
·
US 1; US 90
Toward US 90, US 1: Main Street, Ocean Street, Newnan Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn left
132 ft
·
11 sec
10
Turn right
121 ft
·
14 sec
11
At end of road, turn left onto US 90
104 ft
·
4 sec
·
Beaver Street
12
Turn right
175 ft
·
13 sec
13
At end of road, turn right
124 ft
·
11 sec
14
Turn right onto US 17
22 ft
·
0 sec
·
Union Street
15
Arrive at destination
US 17
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
31 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 31.1 miles from Palatka, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 22.4 and 62.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
22.4 mi into trip
|
~32m in
|
I 95
Merge onto I 95
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
59.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 13m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 90, US 1, FL 13: Downtown, Main Street, Acosta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 90, US 1, FL 13: Downtown, Main Stree...
6
60.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 16m in
|
US 1; US 90
Keep slight right at fork onto US 1; US 90 toward US 90, US 1: Main Street, Ocean Street, Newnan Street, Prudential Drive
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 90, US 1: Main Street, Ocean Street,...
8
60.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 16m in
|
US 1; US 90
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1; US 90 toward US 90, US 1: Main Street, Ocean Street, Newnan Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 90, US 1: Main Street, Ocean Street,...
6
62.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 19m in
|
US 90 / Beaver Street
At end of road, turn left onto US 90 / Beaver Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.90 one way
$19.80 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
22 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $10.77 | $21.54 |
| premium | $4.72 | $11.57 | $23.13 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $13.73 | $27.47 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$10
Estimated CO2 emission: 21.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 18.7 | 0 | $6.53 | $2.99 |
| Efficient EV | 15.6 | 0 | $5.44 | $2.49 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 24.9 | 0 | $8.71 | $3.98 |
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (68% 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.
Destination
Jacksonville, FL
Morning in Jacksonville on Tuesday
Local time
8:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
27 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
1h 20m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 93% of the journey on high-speed roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 37.3 miles on I-95, offering a consistent pace. While the majority of the drive is on interstates, you will transition onto FL 207 and cross the Memorial Bridge, providing some variation before reaching your destination. This route is designed for efficient travel rather than scenic exploration.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 37.3 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and FL 207. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 22.4 miles in near I 95.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 62.2 miles you will encounter 12 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 22.4 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 59.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 60.8 miles (US 1; US 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
About the Cities
Starting in Palatka, FL
Full guide →For the Russian town of the same name, please see Kolyma Highway. Palatka is a town of 20,000 people (2020) on the banks of St. Johns River in North Central Florida. One of the earliest cities to develop in the state, the city is home to charming historic neighborhoods and notable state landmarks. The area also offers numerous outdoor activities. These range from skydiving and kayaking to boating and golfing. Home to many festivals throughout the year, one event in particular pays homage to the city's most popular flower, the azalea. The flower can be viewed prominently throughout the city in early March, coinciding with riverfront festivities. The unique mixture of southern hospitality and Florida culture make Palatka a "must experience" destination for the roaming traveler.
Arriving in Jacksonville, FL
Full guide →Founded 1791
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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 20m. Total distance: 62.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 37.3 miles on I 95. 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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 22.4 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 59.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 60.8 miles (US 1; US 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Castillo de San Marcos National Monument and Fort Matanzas National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Jacksonville, FL before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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