Origin
Jacksonville, FL
Late night in Jacksonville on Friday
Local time
4:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Jacksonville, FL to Cortez, FL
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 58m
Distance
247.2 mi
398 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 45m
★
6 AM
4h 58m
8 AM
5h 25m
10 AM
5h 8m
12 PM
5h 5m
3 PM
5h 9m
5 PM
5h 24m
8 PM
4h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Jacksonville, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Cortez, FL
Matt Fitz Gibaud
Trip Overview
This 247-mile journey from Jacksonville, FL to Cortez, FL will take you about 4 hours and 58 minutes, making it a very manageable day trip. You'll primarily be on I-75 and US 301, with a short section of Sid Martin Highway. With a fuel cost estimated at $39, this is an economical drive across Florida. The route is largely highway-focused, so expect efficient travel. You'll experience a smooth transition through the diverse landscapes of Florida, from its northeastern reaches to the Gulf Coast. This trip is ideal for a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.
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
123.6 miles from Jacksonville, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 33m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 58m. Total distance: 247.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 75% of the route on major roads like I-75. You'll encounter a long, uninterrupted stretch of 128 miles on I-75, offering a chance for steady progress. While the majority is interstate, you'll also navigate sections of Sid Martin Highway and US 301, which may offer a slightly different driving experience with varying speed limits and potentially more local traffic. The overall character is one of efficient travel, designed for covering distance quickly, rather than a winding scenic tour.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 27 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 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 17 significant decision points across 247.2 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 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 17 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
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 Cortez, 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 |
| Cortez Road | 7.7 mi | 14m |
| Tamiami Trail | 6.2 mi | 8m |
| 1st Street West | 2.5 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 Cortez, 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
45 mi
·
48 min
·
I 75
Toward South I 75: Naples
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Exit 228
Toward I 275 North: Saint Petersburg
Use 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 2
Toward US 41: Palmetto, Bradenton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork
357 ft
·
11 sec
Toward Palmetto, Bradenton
Use 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
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
1st Street West
25
Keep slight right at fork onto US 41
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
1st Street West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on US 41
7.7 mi
·
14 min
·
Cortez Road
27
Arrive at destination
FL 684
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4-hour, 58-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Jacksonville to avoid potential afternoon traffic. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 128 miles on I-75, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $39, and plan your refueling accordingly, especially during that long stretch on I-75. The flexibility of this shorter route means you can adjust your pace as needed, perhaps stopping for a quick break or enjoying a more leisurely drive through the varied Florida scenery.
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 123.6 miles from Jacksonville, FL, or about 2h 33m 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 54 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123.6 miles or 2h 33m 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 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cortez, 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 247.2 miles and 4h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 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 123.6 mi from Jacksonville, FL · 2h 33m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
124 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 54 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 123.6 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 128 miles.
Arriving in Cortez, FL
The final approach into Cortez, 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 Cortez, 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
$39.35 one way
$78.70 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
87 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $42.80 | $85.61 |
| premium | $4.72 | $45.97 | $91.93 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $54.58 | $109.16 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 74.2 | 0 | $25.96 | $11.87 |
| Efficient EV | 61.8 | 0 | $21.63 | $9.89 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 98.9 | 1 | $34.61 | $15.82 |
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% 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
Cortez, FL
Late night in Cortez on Friday
Local time
4:03 AM
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
18 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 58m 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 Cortez, FL covers 247.2 miles and takes about 4h 58m 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 123.6 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 $39.35 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 17 significant decision points across 247.2 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 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 Cortez, FL, road signs point toward Bradenton and Palmetto.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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