Origin
Jacksonville, FL
Evening in Jacksonville on Thursday
Local time
8:04 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Jacksonville, FL to Balm, FL
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
4h 20m
Distance
216.9 mi
349 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 8m
★
6 AM
4h 21m
8 AM
4h 47m
10 AM
4h 30m
12 PM
4h 27m
3 PM
4h 31m
5 PM
4h 46m
8 PM
4h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Jacksonville, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Balm, FL
Cup of Couple
Trip Overview
This 216.9-mile drive from Jacksonville, FL to Balm, FL is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can comfortably be completed in about 4 hours and 20 minutes. Designed as a single-day trip, it requires minimal planning beyond an estimated $35 fuel budget. You'll primarily travel on I-75, with segments of Sid Martin Highway and US 301 also part of the route. This route keeps you moving efficiently across Florida, making it a practical option for those looking to cover ground without extensive detours. It's a solid choice if you want a direct path to your destination with a predictable driving experience.
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
108.5 miles from Jacksonville, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 17m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 20m. Total distance: 216.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience, with 75% of the drive taking place on major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 106.1 miles on I-75, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of your journey. While the majority of the route utilizes high-speed highways, you will transition onto roads like Sid Martin Highway and US 301, which may offer a slightly different driving feel before rejoining the interstate. This mix means you'll experience both the efficiency of interstate travel and the character of state and U.S. highways.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 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 106.1 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 Effort
9/10
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 18 significant decision points across 216.9 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 58.2 miles (US 301 / Sid Martin Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 183.1 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese 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
6
58.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m in
|
US 301 / Sid Martin Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 301 / Sid Martin Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
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
8
206.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 2m in
Take the exit toward Gibsonton, Riverview
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 250
Toward Gibsonton, Riverview
7
206.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 3m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 106.1 mi | 1h 53m |
| Sid Martin Highway | 39 mi | 48m |
| US 301 | 37.5 mi | 47m |
| I 10 | 17.1 mi | 20m |
| Balm Riverview Road | 6.4 mi | 10m |
| Gibsonton Drive | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Northwest 70th Street | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Balm Road | 1.3 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 106.1 mi, about 1h 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jacksonville, FL and Balm, 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: Jacksonville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 351A
Toward I 10 West: Lake City
Use 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
23 mi
·
25 min
·
I 75
Toward South I 75: Naples
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 250
Toward Gibsonton, Riverview
Use the slight right lane.
19
Turn slight left
185 ft
·
4 sec
Toward Riverview
20
Keep slight left at fork
149 ft
·
11 sec
Use the left lane.
21
Turn left onto Gibsonton Drive
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Gibsonton Drive
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on Boyette Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Boyette Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
23
Turn right onto Balm Riverview Road
6.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Balm Riverview Road
Use the right lane.
24
At end of road, turn left onto CR 672
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
·
Balm Road
Use the left lane.
25
Continue on Balm Road
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Balm Road
26
Arrive at destination
Balm Wimauma Road
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour, 20-minute drive, starting your journey in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight and allow for a leisurely arrival. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 106.1-mile stretch on I-75, to avoid any unnecessary delays. Given the manageable duration, this trip is well-suited for a single day, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace, consider an early afternoon departure. A practical tip is to check traffic conditions on I-75 before you depart, as this is your primary artery for a significant part of the trip.
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 108.5 miles from Jacksonville, FL, or about 2h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 106.1 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 48 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108.5 miles or 2h 17m 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 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Balm, 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 216.9 miles and 4h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 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 106.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 108.5 mi from Jacksonville, FL · 2h 17m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
108 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 108.5 miles from Jacksonville, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 106.1 miles.
Arriving in Balm, FL
The final approach into Balm, 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 Balm, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.52 one way
$69.05 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
76 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $37.56 | $75.11 |
| premium | $4.72 | $40.33 | $80.66 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $47.89 | $95.78 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 65.1 | 0 | $22.77 | $10.41 |
| Efficient EV | 54.2 | 0 | $18.98 | $8.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 86.8 | 1 | $30.37 | $13.88 |
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 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.
Destination
Balm, FL
Evening in Balm on Thursday
Local time
8:04 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°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
2 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 20m 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 Balm, FL covers 216.9 miles and takes about 4h 20m 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 108.5 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 $34.52 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 18 significant decision points across 216.9 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 58.2 miles (US 301 / Sid Martin Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 183.1 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Jacksonville, FL to Balm, FL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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