Connecting the Florida Panhandle to the Atlantic coast, this 185.1-mile journey from Quincy to Jacksonville is a straightforward trip designed for efficiency. You can expect to spend about 3 hours and 27 minutes on the road, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. Budget roughly $31 for fuel to cover the distance, which primarily utilizes I-10 to bridge the two cities. Since the drive is manageable in one go, you won't need to worry about overnight lodging unless you prefer a slower pace. Whether you are traveling for business or a change of scenery, this route offers a clear, predictable path across the state.
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
92.6 miles from Quincy, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
169.6 mi
3h 3m
Blue Star Highway
7.5 mi
9m
West Jefferson Street
4.9 mi
7m
Union Street
0.7 mi
1m
I 95
0.7 mi
1m
US 17
0.2 mi
<1m
South Ward Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
West Crawford Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 169.6 mi, about 3h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Quincy, FL and Jacksonville, FL.
1
Start on West Crawford Street
212 ft·14 sec·West Crawford Street
2
Turn left onto South Ward Street
368 ft·18 sec·South Ward Street
3
Turn right onto US 90; FL 12; FL 267
4.9 mi·7 min·West Jefferson Street
4
Continue on US 90
7.5 mi·9 min·Blue Star Highway
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·58 sec
Toward I 10 East: Lake CityUse the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto I 10
170 mi·3 hr 3 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·33 sec
Toward I 95 South: Jacksonville Beaches, Daytona Beach
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·56 sec
Toward I 95 North: International Airport, SavannahUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 95
0.7 mi·1 min·I 95
10
Take the exit onto US 17; FL 228
0.2 mi·26 sec·US 17; FL 228
Exit 353BToward Union Street, Beaver Street
11
Turn straight onto US 17; US 23; FL 228
0.7 mi·1 min·Union Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
12
Arrive at destination
US 17
Trip Plan
To make the most of this drive, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh during the 3.5-hour trek. Leaving early in the morning is your best bet to avoid potential traffic congestion as you approach the Jacksonville area. Since the route relies so heavily on I-10, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before entering the longest 169.6-mile interstate stretch to avoid unnecessary stress. Because this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your personal schedule. Keep your navigation system running, as the transition from local roads like Blue Star Highway onto the interstate is the most critical part of your departure.
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 92.6 miles from Quincy, FL, or about 1h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 169.6 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 41 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 92.6 miles or 1h 45m 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 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 Quincy, 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 Quincy, FL
This is one driving day of about 185.1 miles and 3h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Quincy, 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 10 for about 169.6 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 184.2 — 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|South Ward Street
Turn left onto South Ward Street
Navigation decision point
5
12.5 mi into trip|~18m in
Take the ramp toward I 10 East: Lake City
Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 10 East: Lake City
5
12.8 mi into trip|~19m in|I 10
Merge onto I 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
182.8 mi into trip|~3h 23m 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
184.2 mi into trip|~3h 25m 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
$29.46 one way
$58.93 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg65 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$32.05
$64.10
premium
$4.72
$34.42
$68.84
diesel
$5.61
$40.87
$81.74
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 64.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
55.5
0
$19.44
$8.88
Efficient EV
46.3
0
$16.20
$7.40
EV Truck/SUV
74
0
$25.91
$11.85
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 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 14, 2026
Origin
Quincy, FL
Late night
in Quincy on Sunday
Local time
4:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Jacksonville, FL
Late night
in Jacksonville on Sunday
Local time
4:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Partly Cloudy
SE 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 13 at 7:43PM EDT until April 14 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 13 at 2:00AM EDT until April 14 at 5:00AM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
80°F
Live Oak, FL
93 mi in
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
20 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
3h 27m 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?
Expect a focused, highway-heavy experience as you traverse the state, with 92% of your journey spent on high-speed roads. The vast majority of your time—specifically 169.6 miles—will be logged on I-10, providing a consistent and uninterrupted driving rhythm. While you will navigate sections of West Jefferson Street and the Blue Star Highway near your start, the route quickly transitions into a standard interstate grind. This is not a technical or winding drive, but rather a direct corridor that favors steady progress over scenic detours. You will find that the road remains steady and predictable for the duration of the trip.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 169.6 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and Blue Star Highway. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South Ward Street.
Driving Effort5/10
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 185.1 miles you will encounter 9 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: near the start (South Ward Street): Navigation decision point; at 12.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 12.8 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 27m. Total distance: 185.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 169.6 miles on I 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (South Ward Street): Navigation decision point; at 12.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 12.8 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Jacksonville, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
