Surfside to Jacksonville is 341 miles and takes about 6h 28m via I 95 and Florida's Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $54 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, moving from the southern part of the state up to the northeast. It's a predominantly highway drive, making it a straightforward option for a single day of travel. You'll cover a significant distance efficiently, so plan for a solid block of driving 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
170.5 miles from Surfside, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 20m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
221.5 mi
3h 59m
Florida's Turnpike
108.1 mi
2h
Northeast 125th Street
1.7 mi
4m
US 1
1.3 mi
3m
Northeast 123rd Street
1.1 mi
2m
96th Street
0.9 mi
2m
Broad Causeway
0.8 mi
1m
Northwest 125th Street
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 221.5 mi, about 3h 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Surfside, FL and Jacksonville, FL.
1
Start on Carlyle Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Carlyle Avenue
2
Turn right onto 95th Street
251 ft·12 sec·95th Street
3
Continue on Byron Avenue
0.1 mi·34 sec·Byron Avenue
4
Turn left onto SR 922
0.9 mi·2 min·96th Street
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on SR 922
0.8 mi·1 min·Broad Causeway
6
Continue on SR 922
1.1 mi·2 min·Northeast 123rd Street
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on SR 922
0.1 mi·21 sec·North Miami Boulevard
8
Continue on SR 922
1.7 mi·4 min·Northeast 125th Street
9
Continue on SR 922
0.6 mi·1 min·Northwest 125th Street
10
Turn right onto Northwest 6th Avenue
215 ft·6 sec·Northwest 6th Avenue
Use the right lane.
11
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 95 North: Fort Lauderdale
12
Merge onto I 95
1.8 mi·2 min·I 95
13
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 12AToward SR 826 West: Florida's Turnpike TollUse the slight left lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·54 sec
Toward Florida's Turnpike
15
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
108 mi·2 hr·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi·53 sec
Exit 152Toward FL 70: Fort Pierce, Vero BeachUse the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork
214 ft·5 sec
Toward FL 70 East: Fort Pierce
18
Merge onto FL 70
0.3 mi·35 sec·Okeechobee Road
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 95
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 North: Daytona BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto I 95
220 mi·3 hr 57 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork
1.1 mi·2 min
Toward US 90, US 1, FL 13: Downtown, Main Street, Acosta
23
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
24
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.
25
Turn left
132 ft·11 sec
26
Turn right
121 ft·14 sec
27
At end of road, turn left onto US 90
104 ft·4 sec·Beaver Street
28
Turn right
175 ft·13 sec
29
At end of road, turn right
124 ft·11 sec
30
Turn right onto US 17
22 ft·0 sec·Union Street
31
Arrive at destination
US 17
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 28m estimated drive time, leaving Surfside in the morning is your best bet to arrive in Jacksonville with daylight to spare. The route is designed for a single day, so you won't need to break it up, but consider a mid-drive stop around the halfway point to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 221.5-mile stretch on I 95 where services might be less frequent than in more urban areas. Budgeting around $54 for fuel should cover your needs for this 341-mile trip.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 170.5 miles from Surfside, FL, or about 3h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 221.5 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 75 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 170.5 miles or 3h 20m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 19m
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 Surfside, 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 Surfside, FL
This is one driving day of about 341 miles and 6h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 miles from Surfside, 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 221.5 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 339.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.5 mi into trip|~2m in|Byron Avenue
Enter roundabout onto Byron Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
7
7.9 mi into trip|~18m in
Take the exit toward SR 826 West: Florida's Turnpike Toll
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 12A
Toward SR 826 West: Florida's Turnpike Toll
8
117.2 mi into trip|~2h 21m 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
118.3 mi into trip|~2h 23m 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
8
339.7 mi into trip|~6h 24m 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
$54.28 one way
$108.56 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg119 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$59.04
$118.09
premium
$4.72
$63.41
$126.81
diesel
$5.61
$75.29
$150.58
Estimated Tolls: $7.57
Florida's Turnpike
(108.1 mi)$7.57
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
$54
Tolls
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$87–$112
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 119.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
102.3
1
$35.81
$16.37
Efficient EV
85.3
0
$29.84
$13.64
EV Truck/SUV
136.4
1
$47.74
$21.82
Gas CO2
119 kg
EV CO2
40 kg (66% 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 Apr 21, 2026
Origin
Surfside, FL
Morning
in Surfside on Tuesday
Local time
8:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Jacksonville, FL
Morning
in Jacksonville on Tuesday
Local time
8:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Unavailable
Live 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
4 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
6h 28m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is almost entirely highway driving, with 97% on major roads. You'll experience a longest stretch of 221.5 miles on I 95, meaning extended periods of consistent speed. The transition to surface roads will occur near the end of your drive, specifically on Northeast 125th Street. Expect numerous exits and entrances as you navigate populated areas along the way.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 221.5 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 0.5 miles in near Byron Avenue.
Driving Effort10/10
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 24 significant decision points across 341 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 0.5 miles (Byron Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 7.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 117.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Surfside, 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.
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 6h 28m. Total distance: 341 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 28m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 221.5 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $7.57 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.
Yes — we found about 28 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 28 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (Byron Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 7.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 117.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.5 hours each way, a round trip means 12.9 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.
