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...
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
4h 36m
Distance
224.7 mi
362 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Indian Rocks Beach, FL
Brent Singleton
Jacksonville, FL
Wikimedia Commons
This roughly 225-mile drive from Indian Rocks Beach, FL, to Jacksonville, FL, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 36 minutes. You'll primarily navigate major highways, with a 92% highway share, making it a straightforward trip. The estimated fuel cost is around $36, which is quite manageable for a day trip. This route focuses on efficient travel between two Florida locations, allowing you to cover significant ground without needing an overnight stop. Expect a direct journey with minimal detours, ideal for those prioritizing arrival 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
112.4 miles from Indian Rocks Beach, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 16m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 36m. Total distance: 224.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 92% of the drive taking place on interstates and major roadways like I-75, US-301, and I-275. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 82.3 miles on I-75, so be prepared for sustained periods of highway driving. This profile suggests a consistent pace, with limited opportunities for spontaneous roadside exploration. The character of the drive is largely about covering distance efficiently rather than experiencing varied terrain or scenic byways.
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 14.3 miles in near I 275.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 224.7 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 14.3 miles (I 275): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 43.3 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 125.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Merge onto I 275
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 75
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward FL 326
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
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
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
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 82.3 mi | 1h 28m |
| US 301 | 75.9 mi | 1h 34m |
| I 275 | 28.9 mi | 36m |
| I 10 | 16.8 mi | 19m |
| Ulmerton Road | 11.5 mi | 19m |
| Walsingham Road | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| Northwest 70th Street | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| FL 326 | 1.1 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Indian Rocks Beach, FL and Jacksonville, FL.
Start on Central Avenue
Turn left onto FL 699
Turn right onto FL 688
Continue on FL 688
Continue on FL 688
Continue on FL 688
Take the ramp onto FL 688
Merge onto I 275
Merge onto I 75
Take the exit
Turn slight right
Turn slight right onto FL 326
Continue on FL 326
Turn left onto US 301; US 441
Turn straight onto US 301
Continue on US 301
Take the exit
Merge onto I 10
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 95
Take the exit onto US 17; FL 228
Turn straight onto US 17; US 23; FL 228
Arrive at destination
Given the manageable 4-hour 36-minute duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day adventure. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and allow ample time for any unexpected delays. With a fuel cost estimated at $36, budget accordingly and consider topping off your tank before you leave Indian Rocks Beach. The longest stretch on I-75 is over 80 miles, so plan your stops accordingly, perhaps using a rest area or a service plaza during that segment. Since this is a highway-centric drive, your main consideration will be maintaining a steady pace and ensuring you have refreshments readily available.
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.
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 49 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 112.4 miles or 2h 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jacksonville, FL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Indian Rocks 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 Indian Rocks Beach, FL
This is one driving day of about 224.7 miles and 4h 36m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 112.4 mi from Indian Rocks Beach, FL · 2h 16m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
112 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
The final approach into Jacksonville, FL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Jacksonville, FL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Regular Gas
$35.77 one way
$71.53 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $38.91 | $77.81 |
| premium | $4.72 | $41.78 | $83.56 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $49.61 | $99.22 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 67.4 | 0 | $23.59 | $10.79 |
| Efficient EV | 56.2 | 0 | $19.66 | $8.99 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 89.9 | 1 | $31.46 | $14.38 |
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Indian Rocks Beach on Thursday
Local time
8:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Jacksonville on Thursday
Local time
8:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Road read
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.
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Return Trip
Jacksonville, FL to Indian Rocks Beach, FLPlan the drive back the other way.
Explore more options from Indian Rocks Beach, FL or browse trips ending in Jacksonville, FL.
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