The drive from Jacksonville, FL to Gotha, FL covers 149 miles and takes about 2h 58m 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, Lee Road for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 86.4 miles on I 95.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $23.72 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
74.5 miles from Jacksonville, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 25m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 58m. Total distance: 149 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 58m highway drive covering 149 miles, with most of the trip on I 95 and I 4. The longest continuous stretch is about 86.4 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 26 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 86.4 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 2.3 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 23 significant decision points across 149 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 2.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 88.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 90.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 23 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
2.3 mi into trip|~5m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South: Daytona Beach
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 95 South: Daytona Beach
8
88.9 mi into trip|~1h 40m in
Take the exit toward I 4, US 92, FL 400: Daytona Beach, Orlando, International Airport, International Speedway
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 260C-B-A
Toward I 4, US 92, FL 400: Daytona Beach, Orlan...
8
90.5 mi into trip|~1h 43m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 4 West: Orlando
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 260B
Toward I 4 West: Orlando
7
134.6 mi into trip|~2h 33m in|US 17 Truck; US 92 Truck
Take the exit onto US 17 Truck; US 92 Truck toward FL 423: Lee Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 88
Toward FL 423: Lee Road
7
146.3 mi into trip|~2h 51m in
Take the exit toward Good Homes Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 2
Toward Good Homes Road
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 Gotha, FL, road signs point toward Orlando, International Airport, International Speedway and Daytona.
Orlando
88.9 mi in|~1h 40m
International Airport
88.9 mi in|~1h 40m
International Speedway
88.9 mi in|~1h 40m
Daytona
89.3 mi in|~1h 41m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
86.4 mi
1h 34m
I 4
43.5 mi
48m
Lee Road
6 mi
10m
East-West Expressway
5.2 mi
5m
US 1
1.1 mi
2m
Morton Jones Road
0.9 mi
2m
Woodlawn Cemetery Road
0.7 mi
1m
Main Street
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 86.4 mi, about 1h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jacksonville, FL and Gotha, FL.
1
Start on US 17
0.1 mi·20 sec·Union Street
2
Turn right onto Newnan Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Newnan Street
3
Turn right onto FL 228
0.1 mi·23 sec·East Forsyth Street
4
Turn left onto US 1; US 90
0.5 mi·1 min·Main Street
5
Take the ramp onto US 1; US 90
0.9 mi·2 min·US 1; US 90
Toward I 95 South
6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 1
0.2 mi·28 sec·US 1
Toward I 95, US 1 South, FL 5 South: Daytona Beach, Philips Highway
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward I 95 South: Daytona BeachUse the straight lane.
8
Merge onto I 95
86 mi·1 hr 34 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 260C-B-A Toward I 4, US 92, FL 400: Daytona Beach, Orlando, International Airport, International SpeedwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on this road
513 ft·12 sec·this road
Exit 260 C B AToward I 4, US 92, FL 400: Daytona Beach, Orlando
11
Keep slight left at fork
1.3 mi·1 min
Toward I 4, FL 400: Orlando, South Daytona
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 260BToward I 4 West: OrlandoUse the slight right lane.
13
Continue on I 4
37 mi·40 min·I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 4
6.9 mi·8 min·I 4
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
15
Take the exit onto US 17 Truck; US 92 Truck
0.3 mi·40 sec·US 17 Truck; US 92 Truck
Exit 88Toward FL 423: Lee RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn sharp right onto FL 423
6.0 mi·10 min·Lee Road
Use the right lane.
17
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward FL 408 Toll West: OcoeeUse the right lane.
18
Merge onto FL 408 Toll
5.2 mi·5 min·East-West Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 2Toward Good Homes RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn left onto Good Homes Road
0.3 mi·37 sec·Good Homes Road
21
Turn right onto CR 526
0.2 mi·30 sec·Old Winter Garden Road
22
Turn left onto Woodlawn Cemetery Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Woodlawn Cemetery Road
23
Turn right onto Morton Jones Road
0.9 mi·2 min·Morton Jones Road
24
At end of road, turn left onto Hempel Avenue
0.3 mi·44 sec·Hempel Avenue
25
Turn right
230 ft·16 sec
26
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 74.5 miles from Jacksonville, FL, or about 1h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.4 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 33 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 74.5 miles or 1h 25m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gotha, 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 149 miles and 2h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 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 95 for about 86.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 74.5 mi from Jacksonville, FL
· 1h 25m into the drive
The midpoint is around 74.5 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 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 86.4 miles.
Arriving in Gotha, FL
The final approach into Gotha, 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 Gotha, FL.
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.
Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
National Monument
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...
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
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 51.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.72 one way
$47.43 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg52 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$25.80
$51.60
premium
$4.72
$27.71
$55.41
diesel
$5.61
$32.90
$65.79
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
44.7
0
$15.64
$7.15
Efficient EV
37.3
0
$13.04
$5.96
EV Truck/SUV
59.6
0
$20.86
$9.54
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 16, 2026
Origin
Jacksonville, FL
Evening
in Jacksonville on Thursday
Local time
5:35 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Gotha, FL
Evening
in Gotha on Thursday
Local time
5:35 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°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
1 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
2h 58m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 Gotha, FL covers 149 miles and takes about 2h 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 95, I 4, Lee Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 74.5 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 $23.72 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 149 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 2.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 88.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 90.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Jacksonville, FL and Gotha, FL, road signs point toward Orlando, International Airport, International Speedway and Daytona.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Castillo de San Marcos National Monument and Fort Matanzas National Monument.
