South Bradenton to Jacksonville is 239.1 miles and takes about 4h 44m via I-75 and I-10, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This mostly highway route stays within Florida, connecting two major cities in the Sunshine State. You'll spend the vast majority of your time on interstates, making for a straightforward trip. It's a solid option if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently, with minimal fuss and a predictable travel time.
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
119.6 miles from South Bradenton, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
127.6 mi
2h 17m
US 301
75.9 mi
1h 34m
I 10
16.8 mi
19m
Tamiami Trail
5.9 mi
8m
1st Street
2.5 mi
4m
Northwest 70th Street
1.5 mi
2m
Cortez Road
1.2 mi
2m
FL 326
1.1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 127.6 mi, about 2h 17m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 49 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 South Bradenton, FL and Jacksonville, FL.
1
Start on this road
133 ft·15 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto 20th Street West
145 ft·8 sec·20th Street West
3
Turn left onto FL 684
1.2 mi·2 min·Cortez Road
4
Continue on US 41
2.5 mi·4 min·1st Street
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on US 41; US 301
0.4 mi·37 sec·Hernando DeSoto Bridge
6
Continue on US 41; US 301
3.0 mi·4 min·Tamiami Trail
7
Continue on US 41
2.9 mi·3 min·Tamiami Trail
8
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·48 sec
9
Merge onto I 275
0.3 mi·21 sec·I 275
10
Keep slight right at fork
1.4 mi·3 min
Toward I 75 North: Tampa
11
Merge onto I 75
128 mi·2 hr 17 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 358Toward FL 326Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn slight right
144 ft·4 sec
14
Turn slight right onto FL 326
1.1 mi·1 min·FL 326
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Continue on FL 326
1.5 mi·2 min·Northwest 70th Street
16
Turn left onto US 301; US 441
5.5 mi·6 min·US 301; US 441
Use the left lane.
17
Turn straight onto US 301
52 mi·1 hr 5 min·US 301
Toward North US 301: StarkeUse the straight lane.
18
Continue on US 301
18 mi·22 min·US 301
19
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 10 East: Jacksonville
20
Merge onto I 10
17 mi·19 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi·33 sec
Toward I 95 South: Jacksonville Beaches, Daytona Beach
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·56 sec
Toward I 95 North: International Airport, SavannahUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
23
Merge onto I 95
0.7 mi·1 min·I 95
24
Take the exit onto US 17; FL 228
0.2 mi·26 sec·US 17; FL 228
Exit 353BToward Union Street, Beaver Street
25
Turn straight onto US 17; US 23; FL 228
0.7 mi·1 min·Union Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
26
Arrive at destination
US 17
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 44m estimated drive time, leaving South Bradenton in the morning will easily get you to Jacksonville before evening. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost of around $38, you can be fairly flexible with your timing. The route is predominantly highway, so keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 127.6-mile stretch on I-75, and plan your stops accordingly. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the advantage of not needing to book overnight accommodation.
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 119.6 miles from South Bradenton, FL, or about 2h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 127.6 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 53 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.6 miles or 2h 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 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 South Bradenton, 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 South Bradenton, FL
This is one driving day of about 239.1 miles and 4h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from South Bradenton, 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 127.6 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 238.2 — 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|20th Street West
Turn left onto 20th Street West
Navigation decision point
5
10.9 mi into trip|~18m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 75 North: Tampa
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 75 North: Tampa
7
140 mi into trip|~2h 38m 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
236.8 mi into trip|~4h 40m 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
238.2 mi into trip|~4h 42m 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
$36.19 one way
$72.39 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg84 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$39.72
$79.43
premium
$4.55
$42.83
$85.66
diesel
$4.80
$45.15
$90.29
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.7
0
$25.11
$11.48
Efficient EV
59.8
0
$20.92
$9.56
EV Truck/SUV
95.6
1
$33.47
$15.30
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
South Bradenton, FL
Afternoon
in South Bradenton on Sunday
Local time
1:37 PM
EDT
Current temp
91°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
S 10 to 14 mph65% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Jacksonville, FL
Afternoon
in Jacksonville on Sunday
Local time
1:37 PM
EDT
Current temp
94°F
Sunny
S 6 to 12 mph12% chanceLive forecast
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
4h 44m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is 93% highway, meaning you'll be on the interstate for nearly the entire 239.1 miles. The longest continuous stretch on a single highway is 127.6 miles, all on I-75. You'll notice a high density of exits and interchanges as you pass through various populated areas. Surface roads will only become a factor for very short periods, primarily at the beginning and end of your trip.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 127.6 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 early in the drive near 20th Street West.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 239.1 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: near the start (20th Street West): Navigation decision point; at 10.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 140 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 4h 44m. Total distance: 239.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 127.6 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: near the start (20th Street West): Navigation decision point; at 10.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 140 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Jacksonville, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
