Spanning 263.7 miles across Florida, this trek from Springfield to Jacksonville is a straightforward journey typically taking about 4 hours and 8 minutes of drive time. Because the route is categorized as a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate corridor, it is best approached as a one-day trip. Budget approximately $43 for fuel to complete the transit. You will navigate via Transmitter Road, Selman Street, and Greensboro Highway to reach your destination. Since this drive stays entirely within Florida, you won't need to worry about crossing state lines, but the local nature of the roads means you should plan for steady attention behind the wheel rather than cruise-controlled highway miles.
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
131.9 miles from Springfield, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
186.9 mi
3h 22m
FL 20
28.4 mi
39m
US 231
20 mi
25m
FL 12
18.1 mi
24m
Transmitter Road
4.1 mi
7m
Greensboro Highway
2.2 mi
3m
Union Street
0.7 mi
1m
I 95
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 186.9 mi, about 3h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Springfield, FL and Jacksonville, FL.
1
Start on FL 22
0.2 mi·34 sec·East 3rd Street
2
Turn left onto Transmitter Road
4.1 mi·7 min·Transmitter Road
3
Turn right onto US 231
20 mi·25 min·US 231
4
Turn right onto FL 20
28 mi·39 min·FL 20
5
Turn left onto FL 12
18 mi·24 min·FL 12
6
Turn right onto FL 12; CR 270
0.6 mi·1 min·Selman Street
7
Continue on FL 12
2.2 mi·3 min·Greensboro Highway
8
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 10 East: Tallahassee
9
Merge onto I 10
187 mi·3 hr 22 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·33 sec
Toward I 95 South: Jacksonville Beaches, Daytona Beach
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·56 sec
Toward I 95 North: International Airport, SavannahUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 95
0.7 mi·1 min·I 95
13
Take the exit onto US 17; FL 228
0.2 mi·26 sec·US 17; FL 228
Exit 353BToward Union Street, Beaver Street
14
Turn straight onto US 17; US 23; FL 228
0.7 mi·1 min·Union Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
15
Arrive at destination
US 17
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour and 8-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time, though starting early helps you avoid the fatigue that comes with a turn-heavy route. Since there is only one planned stop, ensure you choose a spot that allows you to stretch your legs effectively during the mid-point of your 263.7-mile journey. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $43 estimated cost can fluctuate based on local prices along these smaller roads. A specific tip for this drive: because you will be navigating Transmitter Road, Selman Street, and Greensboro Highway exclusively, use a reliable GPS to stay on track through the frequent turns that define this path.
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 131.9 miles from Springfield, FL, or about 2h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 186.9 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 58 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 131.9 miles or 2h 44m 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 16m
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 Springfield, 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 Springfield, FL
This is one driving day of about 263.7 miles and 5h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Springfield, 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 186.9 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 262.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|Transmitter Road
Turn left onto Transmitter Road
Navigation decision point
5
74.1 mi into trip|~1h 42m in|I 10
Merge onto I 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
261 mi into trip|~5h 4m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South: Jacksonville Beaches, Daytona Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 95 South: Jacksonville Beaches, Dayton...
8
261.4 mi into trip|~5h 5m 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
262.8 mi into trip|~5h 7m 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
$41.97 one way
$83.95 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$45.66
$91.32
premium
$4.72
$49.03
$98.07
diesel
$5.61
$58.22
$116.44
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.3 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
79.1
0
$27.69
$12.66
Efficient EV
65.9
0
$23.07
$10.55
EV Truck/SUV
105.5
1
$36.92
$16.88
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 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 16, 2026
Origin
Springfield, FL
Late night
in Springfield on Sunday
Local time
1:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Jacksonville, FL
Late night
in Jacksonville on Sunday
Local time
2:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
81°F
Quincy, FL
132 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
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
2 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 9m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a technical experience on this route, as it relies entirely on local roads with zero highway miles involved. The journey is characterized by frequent turns rather than long, straight stretches, meaning you will need to stay alert throughout the 263.7-mile distance. Notably, the longest uninterrupted stretch is 0 miles on Transmitter Road, highlighting the constant navigation required. This is not a monotonous interstate grind; instead, it is a hands-on drive that demands your full focus. Prepare for a personality that shifts with every turn as you transition from the Springfield area toward Jacksonville.
96% 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: 186.9 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and FL 20. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Transmitter Road.
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 263.7 miles you will encounter 11 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 0.2 miles (Transmitter Road): Navigation decision point; at 74.1 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 261 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 9m. Total distance: 263.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 186.9 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.
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 0.2 miles (Transmitter Road): Navigation decision point; at 74.1 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 261 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 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.
