The drive from Fort Myers Beach, FL to Jacksonville, FL covers 308.2 miles and takes about 6h 32m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 95, I 4, US 17 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 86.1 miles on I 95.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $49.06 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
154.1 miles from Fort Myers Beach, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 35m into the drive
.
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 6h 32m. Total distance: 308.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 32m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This is a 6h 32m highway drive covering 308.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 95 and I 4. The longest continuous stretch is about 86.1 miles on I 95.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 43 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 95 is the longest continuous segment at about 86.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and I 4. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.6 miles in.
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 32 significant decision points across 308.2 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 3.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 17.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 32 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
3.6 mi into trip|~7m in
Turn right
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
17.3 mi into trip|~29m in
Take the exit toward I 75 North: Tampa, I-75 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 75 North: Tampa, I-75 North
8
22 mi into trip|~35m in
Take the exit toward FL 80: Fort Myers, La Belle
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 141
Toward FL 80: Fort Myers, La Belle
7
218.7 mi into trip|~4h 50m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: Jacksonville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 North: Jacksonville
8
306.9 mi into trip|~6h 28m 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,...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Fort Myers Beach, FL and Jacksonville, FL, road signs point toward Colonial Boulevard East Bound and La Belle.
Colonial Boulevard East Bound
16.7 mi in|~28m
La Belle
22 mi in|~35m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
86.1 mi
1h 34m
I 4
82.9 mi
1h 35m
US 17
49.3 mi
1h 13m
Babcock Ranch Road
36.3 mi
46m
Brevard Avenue
14.7 mi
17m
Ben C Pratt Six Mile Cypress Parkway
7.8 mi
11m
North Buena Vista Drive
6.1 mi
9m
I 75
4.3 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 86.1 mi, about 1h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Myers Beach, FL and Jacksonville, FL.
1
Start on Carolina Avenue
0.1 mi·30 sec·Carolina Avenue
2
Turn right onto CR 865
0.4 mi·1 min·Estero Boulevard
3
Continue on FL 865
3.1 mi·5 min·San Carlos Boulevard
4
Turn right
0.3 mi·1 min
Use the right lane.
5
Turn straight onto CR 869
3.6 mi·5 min·Summerlin Road
Use the left lane.
6
Turn right onto CR 865
1.5 mi·2 min·Gladiolus Drive
7
Continue on FL 865
7.8 mi·11 min·Ben C Pratt Six Mile Cypress Parkway
Use the left lane.
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·38 sec
Toward Colonial Boulevard East Bound
9
Keep slight left at fork
219 ft·8 sec
10
Merge onto FL 884
0.3 mi·34 sec·Colonial Boulevard
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward I 75 North: Tampa, I-75 NorthUse the left lane.
12
Merge onto I 75
4.3 mi·4 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·45 sec
Exit 141Toward FL 80: Fort Myers, La BelleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn right onto FL 80
2.6 mi·4 min·Palm Beach Boulevard
Use the right lane.
15
Turn left onto FL 31
36 mi·46 min·Babcock Ranch Road
16
Turn left onto FL 70
1.0 mi·1 min·FL 70
17
Turn straight onto FL 70
0.3 mi·30 sec·East Hickory Street
18
Turn right onto North Mills Avenue
0.9 mi·2 min·North Mills Avenue
19
Turn left onto Dickhaut Street
234 ft·12 sec·Dickhaut Street
20
Turn sharp right onto US 17
15 mi·17 min·Brevard Avenue
21
Continue on US 17
2.5 mi·2 min·US 17
22
Continue on US 17
1.1 mi·1 min·US 17
23
Continue on US 17
46 mi·1 hr 9 min·US 17
Use the left lane.
24
Turn left onto CR 557
0.1 mi·13 sec·Pomelo Street
25
Continue on CR 557
6.1 mi·9 min·North Buena Vista Drive
26
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
27
Merge onto I 4
13 mi·14 min·I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork onto I 4
13 mi·16 min·I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight right at fork onto I 4
57 mi·1 hr 4 min·I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·14 sec
Toward I 95: Miami, Jacksonville
31
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi·2 min
Toward I 95 North, US 92 North: Jacksonville
32
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 North: JacksonvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Merge onto I 95
86 mi·1 hr 34 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Keep slight left at fork
1.1 mi·2 min
Toward US 90, US 1, FL 13: Downtown, Main Street, Acosta
35
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
36
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.
37
Turn left
132 ft·11 sec
38
Turn right
121 ft·14 sec
39
At end of road, turn left onto US 90
104 ft·4 sec·Beaver Street
40
Turn right
175 ft·13 sec
41
At end of road, turn right
124 ft·11 sec
42
Turn right onto US 17
22 ft·0 sec·Union Street
43
Arrive at destination
US 17
Trip Plan
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 154.1 miles from Fort Myers Beach, FL, or about 3h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.1 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 68 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 154.1 miles or 3h 35m 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 27m
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 Fort Myers 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 Fort Myers Beach, FL
This is one driving day of about 308.2 miles and 6h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from Fort Myers 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 86.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 154.1 mi from Fort Myers Beach, FL
· 3h 35m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Fort Matanzas National Monument
National Monument
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 255.1
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...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
$15
near mile 276.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.06 one way
$98.11 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg108 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$53.36
$106.73
premium
$4.72
$57.31
$114.62
diesel
$5.61
$68.05
$136.09
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
92.5
1
$32.36
$14.79
Efficient EV
77.1
0
$26.97
$12.33
EV Truck/SUV
123.3
1
$43.15
$19.72
Gas CO2
108 kg
EV CO2
36 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 Mar 8, 2022
Origin
Fort Myers Beach, FL
Morning
in Fort Myers Beach on Saturday
Local time
11:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Jacksonville, FL
Morning
in Jacksonville on Saturday
Local time
11:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
62°F
Eagle Lake, FL
154 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
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
6h 32m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Fort Myers Beach, FL to Jacksonville, FL covers 308.2 miles and takes about 6h 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 95, I 4, US 17. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 154.1 miles from Fort Myers Beach, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $49.06 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 32 significant decision points across 308.2 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 17.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Fort Myers Beach, FL and Jacksonville, FL, road signs point toward Colonial Boulevard East Bound and La Belle.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Fort Matanzas National Monument and Castillo de San Marcos National Monument.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
