The drive from Jacksonville, FL to Anna Maria, FL covers 249.6 miles and takes about 5h 7m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 75, Sid Martin Highway, US 301 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 128 miles on I 75.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $39.73 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
124.8 miles from Jacksonville, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 35m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 7m. Total distance: 249.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 7m highway drive covering 249.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 75 and Sid Martin Highway. The longest continuous stretch is about 128 miles on I 75.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 35 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 75 is the longest continuous segment at about 128 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Sid Martin Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.1 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 21 significant decision points across 249.6 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 2.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 183.1 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 228.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
2.1 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the exit toward I 10 West: Lake City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 351A
Toward I 10 West: Lake City
7
183.1 mi into trip|~3h 37m in|I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward South I 75: Naples
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward South I 75: Naples
7
228.4 mi into trip|~4h 26m in
Take the exit toward I 275 North: Saint Petersburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 228
Toward I 275 North: Saint Petersburg
8
230 mi into trip|~4h 29m in
Take the exit toward US 41: Palmetto, Bradenton
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 2
Toward US 41: Palmetto, Bradenton
8
230.3 mi into trip|~4h 29m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Palmetto, Bradenton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / slight right lanes.
Toward Palmetto, Bradenton
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Jacksonville, FL and Anna Maria, FL, road signs point toward Bradenton and Palmetto.
Bradenton
230 mi in|~4h 29m
Palmetto
230.3 mi in|~4h 29m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
128 mi
2h 17m
Sid Martin Highway
39 mi
48m
US 301
37.5 mi
47m
I 10
17.1 mi
20m
Manatee Avenue West
9 mi
17m
Tamiami Trail
6.2 mi
8m
Gulf Drive
1.5 mi
4m
Northwest 70th Street
1.5 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 128 mi, about 2h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jacksonville, FL and Anna Maria, FL.
1
Start on US 17
210 ft·12 sec·Union Street
2
Turn left onto US 1; US 17; FL 228
281 ft·15 sec·Ocean Street
3
Turn left onto US 1; US 17; FL 228
0.7 mi·1 min·State Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
4
Continue on US 17; US 23; FL 228
0.3 mi·36 sec·Kings Road
5
Take the ramp onto US 17; FL 228
1.1 mi·1 min·US 17; FL 228
Toward I 95 South: JacksonvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 351AToward I 10 West: Lake CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 10; US 17; FL 228
17 mi·20 min·I 10; US 17; FL 228
Use the straight / slight left / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·37 sec
10
Merge onto US 301
0.1 mi·11 sec·US 301
11
Continue on US 301
37 mi·47 min·US 301
Use the left / straight lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 301
39 mi·48 min·Sid Martin Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
13
Turn right onto FL 326
1.5 mi·2 min·Northwest 70th Street
Use the right lane.
14
Continue on FL 326
1.2 mi·2 min·Northwest 77th Street
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 75 South: Tampa
16
Merge onto I 75
83 mi·1 hr 28 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
45 mi·48 min·I 75
Toward South I 75: NaplesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
1.0 mi·2 min
Exit 228Toward I 275 North: Saint PetersburgUse the slight right lane.
19
Continue on I 275
0.7 mi·44 sec·I 275
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 2Toward US 41: Palmetto, BradentonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork
357 ft·11 sec
Toward Palmetto, BradentonUse the left / slight right lanes.
22
Turn left onto US 41
6.2 mi·8 min·Tamiami Trail
23
Continue on US 41; US 301
0.4 mi·37 sec·Hernando DeSoto Bridge
24
Continue on US 41; US 301
0.3 mi·31 sec·1st Street West
25
Turn right onto FL 64
6.9 mi·13 min·Manatee Avenue West
26
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·10 sec·this road
27
Turn straight onto FL 64
2.0 mi·4 min·Manatee Avenue West
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Turn right onto Gulf Drive
0.8 mi·2 min·Gulf Drive
29
Turn right onto Marina Drive
0.7 mi·2 min·Marina Drive
30
Continue on Palm Drive
0.7 mi·1 min·Palm Drive
31
Continue on Gulf Drive
0.7 mi·2 min·Gulf Drive
32
Turn right onto Pine Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Pine Avenue
33
Turn left
80 ft·13 sec
34
Turn left
56 ft·4 sec
35
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
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 124.8 miles from Jacksonville, FL, or about 2h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 128 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 55 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.8 miles or 2h 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 4h
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Anna Maria, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Jacksonville, 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 Jacksonville, FL
This is one driving day of about 249.6 miles and 5h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Jacksonville, 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 128 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 124.8 mi from Jacksonville, FL
· 2h 35m into the drive
The midpoint is around 124.8 miles from Jacksonville, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 128 miles.
Arriving in Anna Maria, FL
The final approach into Anna Maria, 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 Anna Maria, FL.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
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...
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.9
0
$26.21
$11.98
Efficient EV
62.4
0
$21.84
$9.98
EV Truck/SUV
99.8
1
$34.94
$15.97
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Jacksonville, FL
Afternoon
in Jacksonville on Friday
Local time
1:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Sunny
SW 5 to 8 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Anna Maria, FL
Afternoon
in Anna Maria on Friday
Local time
1:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
78°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
12 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 7m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Jacksonville, FL to Anna Maria, FL covers 249.6 miles and takes about 5h 7m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, Sid Martin Highway, US 301. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 124.8 miles from Jacksonville, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $39.73 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 21 significant decision points across 249.6 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 2.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 183.1 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 228.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Jacksonville, FL and Anna Maria, FL, road signs point toward Bradenton and Palmetto.
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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
