Trip from Jacksonville, FL to South Gate Ridge, FL

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 57m

Distance

254 mi

409 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$40

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

4h 44m ★

6 AM

4h 57m

8 AM

5h 24m

10 AM

5h 7m

12 PM

5h 4m

3 PM

5h 8m

5 PM

5h 23m

8 PM

4h 49m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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city in Duval County, and largest city in State of Florida, United States

Jacksonville, FL

Wikimedia Commons

South Gate Ridge, FL

Arian Fernandez

Trip Overview

The drive from Jacksonville, FL to South Gate Ridge, FL covers 254 miles and takes about 4h 57m 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 mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 149.2 miles on I 75. At current regular gas prices, budget about $40.43 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

127 miles from Jacksonville, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 37m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 75	149.2 mi	2h 39m
Sid Martin Highway	39 mi	48m
US 301	37.5 mi	47m
I 10	17.1 mi	20m
Bee Ridge Road	2.9 mi	5m
Northwest 70th Street	1.5 mi	2m
Northwest 77th Street	1.2 mi	2m
US 17	1.1 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 75 — 149.2 mi, about 2h 39m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Jacksonville, FL and South Gate Ridge, FL.

Start on US 17

210 ft · 12 sec · Union Street

Turn left onto US 1; US 17; FL 228

281 ft · 15 sec · Ocean Street

Turn left onto US 1; US 17; FL 228

0.7 mi · 1 min · State Street

Use the straight / left lanes.

Continue on US 17; US 23; FL 228

0.3 mi · 36 sec · Kings Road

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.

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min

Exit 351A Toward I 10 West: Lake City Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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.

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 58 sec

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 37 sec

Merge onto US 301

0.1 mi · 11 sec · US 301

Continue on US 301

37 mi · 47 min · US 301

Use the left / straight lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 301

39 mi · 48 min · Sid Martin Highway

Use the left / straight lanes.

Turn right onto FL 326

1.5 mi · 2 min · Northwest 70th Street

Use the right lane.

Continue on FL 326

1.2 mi · 2 min · Northwest 77th Street

Use the straight lane.

Take the ramp

0.6 mi · 1 min

Toward I 75 South: Tampa

Merge onto I 75

83 mi · 1 hr 28 min · I 75

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75

67 mi · 1 hr 11 min · I 75

Toward South I 75: Naples Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec

Exit 207 Toward FL 758: Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota

Keep slight right at fork

345 ft · 10 sec

Use the right lane.

Turn straight onto FL 758

2.9 mi · 5 min · Bee Ridge Road

Turn left onto CR 773

0.9 mi · 1 min · Beneva Road

Continue on CR 773

353 ft · 18 sec · Beneva Road

Turn right onto Naomi Ridge Lane

242 ft · 10 sec · Naomi Ridge Lane

Arrive at destination

Naomi Ridge Lane

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 127 miles from Jacksonville, FL, or about 2h 37m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 149.2 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 56 miles or 1h 12m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 127 miles or 2h 37m 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 4m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near South Gate Ridge, 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 254 miles and 4h 57m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 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 149.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

human settlement in Florida, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Citra, FL

127 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

Starke, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 56 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bushnell, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 127 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 149.2 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Artessence Coffee Shop

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Jacksonville, Florida

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+19045862085

Visit website

Raining Berries - Lutz / Wesley Chapel

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lutz, Florida

0.7 mi

Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Lutz, Florida

1.1 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Setlan Coffee Co.

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Jacksonville, Florida

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 8 am–4:30 pm

+19044799975

Visit website

Birdie Coffee Company

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Jacksonville, Florida

0.5 mi

Bitty & Beau's Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Jacksonville, Florida

1.9 mi

Artessence Coffee Shop

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Jacksonville, Florida

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+19045862085

Visit website

Raining Berries - Lutz / Wesley Chapel

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 181.4

Lutz, Florida

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+18139498299

Visit website

Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 181.4

Lutz, Florida

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+18139492428

Visit website

BREW Five Points

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Jacksonville, Florida

Hours: 7:30 am–4 pm

+19043745789

Visit website

🏆 The Gathering Cafe Downtown Ocala

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 108.8

Ocala, Florida

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+13524219810

Visit website

Empire Coffee & Deli

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 181.4

Land O' Lakes, Florida

Hours: 6 am–5 pm

+17276017816

Visit website

Setlan Coffee Co.

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Jacksonville, Florida

Hours: 8 am–4:30 pm

+19044799975

Visit website

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10

Jacksonville, Florida

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

Visit website

Grounds of Grace

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10

Jacksonville, Florida

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+18508435600

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 145.1

Bushnell, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 108.8

Ocala, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 181.4

Wesley Chapel, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Ionna Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 181.4

Wesley Chapel, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18334662474

Visit website

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 199.5

Tampa, Florida

+18136274225

Visit website

Ocala Downtown Square

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 108.8

Ocala, Florida

Carson Springs Wildlife Foundation

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 54.4

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: Closed

+13524682827

Visit website

Tuscawilla Art Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 108.8

Ocala, Florida

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+13526298447

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 2.1 and 250 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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

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.

97.2 mi into trip | ~2h 3m in | FL 326 / Northwest 70th Street

Turn right onto FL 326 / Northwest 70th Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

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

250 mi into trip | ~4h 49m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$40.43 one way

$80.86 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 89 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.40	$43.98	$87.96
premium	$4.72	$47.23	$94.46
diesel	$5.61	$56.08	$112.16

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$40

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$65–$90

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 88.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	76.2	0	$26.67	$12.19
Efficient EV	63.5	0	$22.22	$10.16
EV Truck/SUV	101.6	1	$35.56	$16.26

Gas CO2

89 kg

EV CO2

30 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.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Jacksonville, FL

Afternoon in Jacksonville on Saturday

Local time

4:03 PM

EDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

South Gate Ridge, FL

Afternoon in South Gate Ridge on Saturday

Local time

4:03 PM

EDT

Current temp

64°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

4 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 57m 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.

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...

10 mi from route ~25 min detour Free near mile 227.7

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

254 mi in 4h 57m, mostly highway — 149.2 mi of that is on I 75.

81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 149.2 mi on I 75.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

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 16 significant decision points across 254 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 97.2 miles (FL 326 / Northwest 70th Street): Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

Starting in Jacksonville, FL

Full guide →

Jacksonville occupies one of the most coveted spots on the Atlantic coast. Set amongst abundant beaches and possessing an ideal subtropical climate, its crown jewel is the unique habitat and natural beauty of the St. Johns River. For this reason and more, "The River City" is a popular destination for vacationers looking for a laid-back Sunshine State escape.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 57m. Total distance: 254 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 149.2 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at South Gate Ridge, FL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

Yes — De Soto National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at South Gate Ridge, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.

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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore more options from Jacksonville, FL or browse trips ending in South Gate Ridge, FL.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse FL road trips.

Trip from Jacksonville, FL to South Gate Ridge, FL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Artessence Coffee Shop

Setlan Coffee Co.

Artessence Coffee Shop

Raining Berries - Lutz / Wesley Chapel

Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii

BREW Five Points

🏆 The Gathering Cafe Downtown Ocala

Empire Coffee & Deli

Setlan Coffee Co.

Birdie Coffee Company

Bitty & Beau's Coffee

Haraz Coffee House

Towers Deli & Coffee

It's In The DNA Coffee

Cicada Coffee

Grounds of Grace

Electrify America Charging Station

FPL Charging Station

Tesla Destination Charger

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

Ionna Charging Station

Tom Bennett Park

Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens

Scott Springs Park

Happy Medium Books Cafe

Cracker Country

Ocala Downtown Square

Carson Springs Wildlife Foundation

Tuscawilla Art Park

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Jacksonville, FL

South Gate Ridge, FL

Same local time

4 degrees warmer at arrival

4h 57m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

De Soto National Memorial

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

About the Cities

Starting in Jacksonville, FL

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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