This 283-mile drive from West Palm Beach to Jacksonville is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 5 hours and 13 minutes. The route primarily utilizes I-95 for 98% of the journey, making it a highway-focused experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $45, this trip is quite economical for covering the distance between these two Florida destinations. While there's one recommended stop, the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 277.1 miles on I-95, so plan your breaks accordingly. This straightforward drive is perfect if you're looking for efficiency and a direct path north through the Sunshine State.
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
141.5 miles from West Palm Beach, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 36m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
277.1 mi
4h 59m
Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard
2.3 mi
4m
US 1
1.3 mi
3m
North Dixie Highway
0.6 mi
1m
Beaver Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Union Street
<0.1 mi
—
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 277.1 mi, about 4h 59m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 166 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,900 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,720
Quietest
2 AM
~290 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
13.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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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 West Palm Beach, FL and Jacksonville, FL.
1
Start on North Dixie Highway
0.6 mi·1 min·North Dixie Highway
2
Turn left onto Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard
2.3 mi·4 min·Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard
Use the left lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward I 95 North: Daytona BeachUse the right lane.
4
Merge onto I 95
277 mi·4 hr 59 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork
1.1 mi·2 min
Toward US 90, US 1, FL 13: Downtown, Main Street, Acosta
6
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
7
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.
8
Turn left
132 ft·11 sec
9
Turn right
121 ft·14 sec
10
At end of road, turn left onto US 90
104 ft·4 sec·Beaver Street
11
Turn right
175 ft·13 sec
12
At end of road, turn right
124 ft·11 sec
13
Turn right onto US 17
22 ft·0 sec·Union Street
14
Arrive at destination
US 17
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour duration, departing West Palm Beach in the morning will allow you to reach Jacksonville with ample daylight. With only one recommended stop, ensure it's a substantial one for fuel, food, and a stretch. The longest continuous driving segment is over 277 miles, so be mindful of your hydration and energy levels during that portion. The estimated fuel cost of $45 is budget-friendly, but always check current prices. A practical tip for this route: utilize your navigation app to identify service plazas on I-95 in advance to avoid unnecessary exits during your longest stretches.
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 141.5 miles from West Palm Beach, FL, or about 2h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 277.1 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 62 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 141.5 miles or 2h 36m 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 14m
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 West Palm Beach, 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 West Palm Beach, FL
This is one driving day of about 283 miles and 5h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from West Palm Beach, 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 277.1 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 282.9 — 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|~1m in|Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard
Turn left onto Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
280.5 mi into trip|~5h 7m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 90, US 1, FL 13: Downtown, Main Street, Acosta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 90, US 1, FL 13: Downtown, Main Stree...
6
281.6 mi into trip|~5h 9m in|US 1; US 90
Keep slight right at fork onto US 1; US 90 toward US 90, US 1: Main Street, Ocean Street, Newnan Street, Prudential Drive
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 90, US 1: Main Street, Ocean Street,...
8
281.6 mi into trip|~5h 9m 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,...
6
282.9 mi into trip|~5h 12m in|US 90 / Beaver Street
At end of road, turn left onto US 90 / Beaver Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.84 one way
$85.68 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg99 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$47.01
$94.01
premium
$4.55
$50.69
$101.39
diesel
$4.80
$53.44
$106.87
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 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
84.9
1
$29.72
$13.58
Efficient EV
70.8
0
$24.76
$11.32
EV Truck/SUV
113.2
1
$39.62
$18.11
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
West Palm Beach, FL
Late night
in West Palm Beach on Monday
Local time
3:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Partly Cloudy
S 8 to 16 mph11% 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
3:23 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
5 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 13m 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.
Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
National Monument
Built by the Spanish in St. Augustine to defend Florida and the Atlantic trade route, Castillo de San Marcos National Monument preserves the oldest masonry fortification in the continental United Stat...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
$15
near mile 243.9
Fort Matanzas National Monument preserves the fortified coquina watchtower, completed in 1742, which defended the southern approach to the Spanish military settlement of St. Augustine. It also protect...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 234.2
Discover a dynamic barrier island shaped by dunes, coastal hammocks, and Mosquito Lagoon. Walk among ancient Timucua shell mounds and connect with thousands of years of human history. Immerse yourself...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
$25
near mile 165.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with I-95 dominating 98% of your travel. The drive is characterized by long, uninterrupted stretches, including a significant 277.1-mile segment on the interstate. This means you'll mostly be in a rhythm of consistent speed, with minimal deviations onto local roads like Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard or US 1, which are only used for brief portions. The personality of this drive is one of efficiency and directness, prioritizing getting you from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 277.1 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard.
Driving Effort6/10
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 283 miles you will encounter 12 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 0.6 miles (Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 280.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 281.6 miles (US 1; US 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
43 ft13 ft
Total Climb
52 ft
Total Descent
48 ft
Highest Point
43 ft
~242.5 mi in
Elevation Range
30 ft
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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 13m. Total distance: 283 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 277.1 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 27 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 27 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 280.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 281.6 miles (US 1; US 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, Fort Matanzas National Monument and Canaveral National Seashore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.4 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.
