This 269.8-mile drive from Palm Beach Gardens to Jacksonville, Florida, is a straightforward 5-hour journey primarily along I-95 and Florida's Turnpike. It's an ideal one-day trip, easily manageable without an overnight stop. With a projected fuel cost of around $43, it's an economical way to travel between these two Florida hubs. Expect a highway-focused experience as you head north through the state. This route focuses on efficient travel, making it a practical choice for getting from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
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
134.9 miles from Palm Beach Gardens, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
219.7 mi
3h 57m
Florida's Turnpike
43 mi
46m
US 1
1.3 mi
3m
Avenue of the Masters
1.1 mi
2m
General Drive
0.4 mi
1m
Avenue of the Champions
0.4 mi
1m
Okeechobee Road
0.3 mi
<1m
PGA Boulevard
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 219.7 mi, about 3h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Palm Beach Gardens, FL and Jacksonville, FL.
1
Start on Diamond Head Way
509 ft·23 sec·Diamond Head Way
2
Turn left onto General Drive
0.4 mi·1 min·General Drive
3
At end of road, turn left onto Avenue of the Masters
1.1 mi·2 min·Avenue of the Masters
4
Turn right onto Avenue of the Champions
0.2 mi·36 sec·Avenue of the Champions
5
Enter roundabout onto Avenue of the Champions
399 ft·17 sec·Avenue of the Champions
6
Continue on Avenue of the Champions
0.1 mi·31 sec·Avenue of the Champions
7
Turn right onto FL 786
0.2 mi·29 sec·PGA Boulevard
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll, Orlando, MiamiUse the left lane.
9
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·13 sec·this road
Toward Florida's Turnpike
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward Florida's Turnpike North: Orlando
11
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
43 mi·46 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi·53 sec
Exit 152Toward FL 70: Fort Pierce, Vero BeachUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork
214 ft·5 sec
Toward FL 70 East: Fort Pierce
14
Merge onto FL 70
0.3 mi·35 sec·Okeechobee Road
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 95
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 North: Daytona BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 95
220 mi·3 hr 57 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork
1.1 mi·2 min
Toward US 90, US 1, FL 13: Downtown, Main Street, Acosta
19
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
20
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 StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn left
132 ft·11 sec
22
Turn right
121 ft·14 sec
23
At end of road, turn left onto US 90
104 ft·4 sec·Beaver Street
24
Turn right
175 ft·13 sec
25
At end of road, turn right
124 ft·11 sec
26
Turn right onto US 17
22 ft·0 sec·Union Street
27
Arrive at destination
US 17
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour trip, consider departing early in the morning to avoid potential traffic, especially as you leave the Palm Beach area. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility; plan it around your needs, perhaps midway through the 219.7-mile stretch on I-95. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as it's easy to cover long distances quickly on the highway. The $43 fuel estimate is a good baseline, but always factor in local price fluctuations. Given the manageable duration, you can easily complete this drive in a single day.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 134.9 miles from Palm Beach Gardens, FL, or about 2h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 219.7 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 59 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134.9 miles or 2h 31m 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 5m
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 Palm Beach Gardens, 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 Palm Beach Gardens, FL
This is one driving day of about 269.8 miles and 5h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Palm Beach Gardens, 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 219.7 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.2 and 268.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
2.2 mi into trip|~6m in
Take the ramp toward Florida's Turnpike Toll, Orlando, Miami
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll, Orlando, Miami
8
46 mi into trip|~54m in
Take the exit toward FL 70: Fort Pierce, Vero Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 152
Toward FL 70: Fort Pierce, Vero Beach
7
47.1 mi into trip|~56m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: Daytona Beach
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 North: Daytona Beach
6
267.3 mi into trip|~4h 55m 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...
8
268.5 mi into trip|~4h 57m 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,...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.94 one way
$85.89 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg94 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$46.72
$93.43
premium
$4.72
$50.17
$100.34
diesel
$5.61
$59.57
$119.14
Estimated Tolls: $3.01
Florida's Turnpike
(43 mi)$3.01
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
$43
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.9
0
$28.33
$12.95
Efficient EV
67.5
0
$23.61
$10.79
EV Truck/SUV
107.9
1
$37.77
$17.27
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Morning
in Palm Beach Gardens on Sunday
Local time
10:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Jacksonville, FL
Morning
in Jacksonville on Sunday
Local time
10:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Mostly Clear
S 3 to 9 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 16 at 7:03PM EDT until April 17 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 16 at 3:00AM EDT until April 17 at 2:00AM 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
16 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 1m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
$15
near mile 233.5
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 214.8
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 149.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a nearly 98% highway drive, dominated by major interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 219.7 miles, mostly on I-95. This means consistent speeds and a focus on covering distance. While the profile is highway-focused, you will utilize Florida's Turnpike and US 1 at points, offering slight variations in scenery and pace. The character is undeniably efficient, designed for smooth, fast travel across the state.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 219.7 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 2.2 miles in.
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 23 significant decision points across 269.8 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 2.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 47.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Palm Beach Gardens, FL to Jacksonville, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Vero Beach along the way.
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 5h 1m. Total distance: 269.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 219.7 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.01 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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: at 2.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 47.1 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. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.1 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.
