Traveling from Rotonda West to Jacksonville covers 283.8 miles and takes approximately 4 hours and 44 minutes of drive time. Because this journey stays within Florida, you will experience a consistent regional feel as you transition from the Gulf Coast area to the northeast coast. Budgeting around $46 for fuel is a smart way to prepare for the trip. Since the duration is under five hours, this route is perfectly manageable as a single-day journey without the need for an overnight stay. Whether you are heading north for business or a change of scenery, knowing the route remains entirely local and turn-heavy helps set realistic expectations for your travel day.
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
141.6 miles from Rotonda West, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
163.4 mi
2h 56m
US 301
75.9 mi
1h 34m
I 10
16.8 mi
19m
Jacaranda Boulevard
5.2 mi
10m
Placida Road
4.2 mi
7m
Englewood Road
4.1 mi
7m
South Indiana Avenue
3.4 mi
5m
Northwest 70th Street
1.5 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 163.4 mi, about 2h 56m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 110 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,704 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,344
Quietest
2 AM
~377 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.8×
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 Rotonda West, FL and Jacksonville, FL.
1
Start on Golfview Place
143 ft·11 sec·Golfview Place
2
Turn left onto Golfview Terrace
516 ft·27 sec·Golfview Terrace
3
Turn left onto Golfview Road
0.2 mi·56 sec·Golfview Road
4
Turn right onto Rotonda Circle
0.6 mi·1 min·Rotonda Circle
5
Turn left onto Rotonda Boulevard West
1.1 mi·2 min·Rotonda Boulevard West
6
Turn right onto CR 775
4.2 mi·7 min·Placida Road
7
Turn left onto FL 776
1.2 mi·2 min·South McCall Road
8
Continue on FL 776
3.4 mi·5 min·South Indiana Avenue
9
Continue on FL 776
4.1 mi·7 min·Englewood Road
10
Turn right onto CR 765
4.4 mi·8 min·Jacaranda Boulevard
11
Enter roundabout onto CR 765
215 ft·3 sec·Jacaranda Boulevard
12
Continue on CR 765
0.8 mi·1 min·Jacaranda Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
13
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward I 75 North: TampaUse the right lane.
14
Merge onto I 75
163 mi·2 hr 56 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 358Toward FL 326Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn slight right
144 ft·4 sec
17
Turn slight right onto FL 326
1.1 mi·1 min·FL 326
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Continue on FL 326
1.5 mi·2 min·Northwest 70th Street
19
Turn left onto US 301; US 441
5.5 mi·6 min·US 301; US 441
Use the left lane.
20
Turn straight onto US 301
52 mi·1 hr 5 min·US 301
Toward North US 301: StarkeUse the straight lane.
21
Continue on US 301
18 mi·22 min·US 301
22
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 10 East: Jacksonville
23
Merge onto I 10
17 mi·19 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.4 mi·33 sec
Toward I 95 South: Jacksonville Beaches, Daytona Beach
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·56 sec
Toward I 95 North: International Airport, SavannahUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
26
Merge onto I 95
0.7 mi·1 min·I 95
27
Take the exit onto US 17; FL 228
0.2 mi·26 sec·US 17; FL 228
Exit 353BToward Union Street, Beaver Street
28
Turn straight onto US 17; US 23; FL 228
0.7 mi·1 min·Union Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
29
Arrive at destination
US 17
Trip Plan
To keep your 4-hour and 44-minute drive efficient, plan to leave early in the morning to avoid the peak congestion often found on local roads. Since you only have one planned stop, use that time to stretch and refuel effectively to stay within your $46 gas budget. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, keep your GPS updated and ready for frequent navigation changes right from the start in Rotonda West. Because this trip is short enough to complete in one day, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your personal preference for morning or afternoon traffic. Focus on maintaining a steady pace through the local turns to ensure a smooth arrival in Jacksonville.
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 141.6 miles from Rotonda West, FL, or about 2h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 163.4 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 62 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 141.6 miles or 2h 49m 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 35m
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 Rotonda West, 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 Rotonda West, FL
This is one driving day of about 283.2 miles and 5h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Rotonda West, 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 163.4 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 282.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Golfview Road
Turn left onto Golfview Road
Navigation decision point
5
20.2 mi into trip|~38m in
Take the ramp toward I 75 North: Tampa
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 75 North: Tampa
7
184 mi into trip|~3h 35m 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
280.8 mi into trip|~5h 36m 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
282.2 mi into trip|~5h 38m 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
$42.87 one way
$85.74 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg99 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$47.04
$94.08
premium
$4.55
$50.73
$101.46
diesel
$4.80
$53.47
$106.95
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 99.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
85
1
$29.74
$13.59
Efficient EV
70.8
0
$24.78
$11.33
EV Truck/SUV
113.3
1
$39.65
$18.12
Gas CO2
99 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (67% 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 18, 2026
Origin
Rotonda West, FL
Late night
in Rotonda West on Monday
Local time
3:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 3 mph52% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 17 at 9:53PM EDT until July 17 at 11:15PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 17 at 8:54PM EDT until July 17 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Destination
Jacksonville, FL
Late night
in Jacksonville on Monday
Local time
3:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
S 3 to 7 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 17 at 9:53PM EDT until July 17 at 11:15PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 17 at 8:54PM EDT until July 17 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee 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
1 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
5h 40m 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.
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 48.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straightforward interstate sprint, as this route begins with navigation through Golfview Terrace, Golfview Road, and Rotonda Circle. With a highway share of 0%, you should prepare for a driving experience that requires more focus on turns and local road transitions compared to a high-speed motorway. While you won't encounter long, monotonous stretches of highway, the constant navigation through local roads keeps the drive engaging from start to finish. You will need to stay alert at intersections as you make your way across the state, as the lack of highway miles means your pace will be dictated by local traffic patterns.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 163.4 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 0.1 miles in near Golfview Road.
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 20 significant decision points across 283.2 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 0.1 miles (Golfview Road): Navigation decision point; at 20.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 184 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.
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 5h 40m. Total distance: 283.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 163.4 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 30 rest areas or service plazas 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 30 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Golfview Road): Navigation decision point; at 20.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 184 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.4 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.
