Traveling from Venice to Jacksonville covers 263.7 miles, typically taking about 5 hours and 8 minutes of drive time. Because this journey is manageable in a single day, you don't necessarily need an overnight stay, though planning for one stop will keep you refreshed. You will primarily utilize I-75, US 301, and I-10 to make your way north across Florida. With an estimated fuel cost of $44, it is a relatively budget-friendly transit between the Gulf Coast and the First Coast. This route is designed for efficiency, prioritizing speed over sightseeing to get you to your destination quickly. Whether you are heading up for business or a weekend getaway, the drive offers a straightforward path between these two distinct Florida regions.
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 Venice, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 27m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
156.1 mi
2h 48m
US 301
75.9 mi
1h 34m
I 10
16.8 mi
19m
FL 681
4.3 mi
5m
Tamiami Trail
3.5 mi
6m
Northwest 70th Street
1.5 mi
2m
FL 326
1.1 mi
1m
Union Street
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 156.1 mi, about 2h 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Venice, FL and Jacksonville, FL.
1
Start on West Venice Avenue
0.6 mi·2 min·West Venice Avenue
2
Turn left onto US 41 Business
3.5 mi·6 min·Tamiami Trail
Use the left lane.
3
Turn slight right onto FL 681
4.3 mi·5 min·FL 681
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
Merge onto I 75
156 mi·2 hr 48 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 358Toward FL 326Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Turn slight right
144 ft·4 sec
7
Turn slight right onto FL 326
1.1 mi·1 min·FL 326
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on FL 326
1.5 mi·2 min·Northwest 70th Street
9
Turn left onto US 301; US 441
5.5 mi·6 min·US 301; US 441
Use the left lane.
10
Turn straight onto US 301
52 mi·1 hr 5 min·US 301
Toward North US 301: StarkeUse the straight lane.
11
Continue on US 301
18 mi·22 min·US 301
12
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 10 East: Jacksonville
13
Merge onto I 10
17 mi·19 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·33 sec
Toward I 95 South: Jacksonville Beaches, Daytona Beach
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·56 sec
Toward I 95 North: International Airport, SavannahUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 95
0.7 mi·1 min·I 95
17
Take the exit onto US 17; FL 228
0.2 mi·26 sec·US 17; FL 228
Exit 353BToward Union Street, Beaver Street
18
Turn straight onto US 17; US 23; FL 228
0.7 mi·1 min·Union Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
19
Arrive at destination
US 17
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 263.7-mile trek, aim to depart early in the morning to beat potential congestion on the interstate. Since the drive is just over five hours, pacing yourself with one well-timed stop will help maintain your energy levels behind the wheel. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the longest 156.1-mile stretch on I-75 to ensure you don't run low between service areas. Because the route is so highway-reliant, use a GPS app to monitor real-time traffic updates, as accidents on these major arteries can quickly add time to your trip. Having that flexibility is your biggest advantage for this straightforward Florida transit.
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 Venice, FL, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 156.1 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 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 131.9 miles or 2h 27m 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 7m
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 Venice, 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 Venice, FL
This is one driving day of about 263.7 miles and 5h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Venice, 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 156.1 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 262.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.6 mi into trip|~2m in|US 41 Business / Tamiami Trail
Turn left onto US 41 Business / Tamiami Trail
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
8.5 mi into trip|~14m in|I 75
Merge onto I 75
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
164.5 mi into trip|~3h 2m 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
261.4 mi into trip|~5h 4m 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 6m 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 20, 2026
Origin
Venice, FL
Late night
in Venice on Tuesday
Local time
4:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
Destination
Jacksonville, FL
Late night
in Jacksonville on Tuesday
Local time
4:59 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.
Road read
5h 8m 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...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 36.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 97% of this trip is spent on high-speed roads. The journey features a significant 156.1-mile stretch on I-75, which serves as the backbone of your travel and requires steady focus. As you transition from the interstate to sections of US 301 and eventually I-10, you will find the pace remains consistent and fast-moving. You won't encounter many technical or winding local roads, making this a predictable, straightforward haul. Behind the wheel, you should prepare for a classic interstate grind that demands attention during the long, uninterrupted segments.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 156.1 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 0.6 miles in near US 41 Business / Tamiami Trail.
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 14 significant decision points across 263.7 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 0.6 miles (US 41 Business / Tamiami Trail): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.5 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 164.5 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 8m. Total distance: 263.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 156.1 miles on I 75. 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.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (US 41 Business / Tamiami Trail): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.5 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 164.5 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 5.1 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.
