The distance from Jacksonville to Daytona Beach by car is 89 miles, with a driving time of around 1h28m. The best road trip stops on the Jacksonville to Daytona Beach drive are St Augustine, the Fort Matanzas National Monument and Palm Coast.
Finding the best things to do between Jacksonville and Daytona Beach
The drive from Jacksonville to Daytona Beach takes you part of the way down the Florida coast.
5 great experiences around Jacksonville to book now
- 🏛️ Discover how Jacksonville’s history was shaped by fire on an architecture tour.
- 🛶 Take a guided kayak tour to see the local wildlife around Amelia Island.
- 🍫 Indulge your sweet tooth on a chocolate and candy factory tour.
- 🚶 Take a Downtown Fernandina historic walking tour – and learn about pirates, war and colourful local characters.
- 🚴 Enjoy Jacksonville’s art and architecture on an ebike tour.
Top Jacksonville experiences include Amelia Island kayak tours, guided art and architecture tours by electric bike and electric skateboard rides along Fernandina Beach.
For Jacksonville cultural attractions, head to the Cummer Museum or Kingsley Plantation, which tells a complex story of slavery. There’s also unexpected French colonial history at the Fort Caroline National Memorial.
Highly-rated Jacksonville accommodation options include the charming Riverdale Inn B&B and the conveniently downtown Hyatt Regency.
Daytona Beach is famed for the NASCAR racing at the Daytona Speedway, but it’s also one of Florida’s most appealing beach destinations.
There are fascinating stories at the Halifax Historical Museum and shameless fun at the Daytona Lagoon Waterpark, plus wildlife at the Marine Science Center and lofty views at the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse.
Enjoyable Daytona Beach experiences include small group sailing cruises, paddleboarding or kayaking with dolphins and manatees, wine bar tours and a Polynesian fire and dinner show.
You can also try zipline adventures and beach Segway rides.
5 great Daytona Beach experiences to book
- 🐬 See dolphins and manatees on a kayaking tour.
- 🌲 Challenge yourself on a zipline adventure at Tuscawilla Park.
- ⛵ Spot sea creatures under sail on a catamaran cruise.
- 🔥 See extraordinary fire and knife dances at the Polynesian Fire and Dinner Show.
- 🌿 Learn about Blue Spring State Park’s nature and ecosystem on a St John’s River cruise.
Jacksonville to Daytona Beach distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Jacksonville to Daytona Beach FL is 89 miles. You can expect a driving time of around an hour and 28 minutes. The quickest route is down the I-95.
The best stops on a Jacksonville to Daytona Beach road trip itinerary are St Augustine, the Fort Matanzas National Monument and Palm Coast.
Best stops between Jacksonville and Daytona Beach FL: St Augustine
Why book the St. Augustine Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour?
- 🚋 22 Convenient Stops: Explore the “Ancient City” at your own pace with a route that covers over 100 points of interest, including the historic bayfront, city gates, and the plaza.
- 🎙️ Live Historical Narration: Enjoy a “transportation and entertainment” experience with professional conductors who share fascinating stories, legends, and humor throughout the journey.
- 🏰 Iconic Landmarks: Benefit from direct access to top-rated attractions like the Castillo de San Marcos, the Fountain of Youth, Flagler College, and the Lightner Museum.
- 🏖️ Exclusive Beach Shuttle: Take advantage of the complimentary shuttle service that brings you across the bridge to the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum, the Alligator Farm, and the beach.
- 🕒 Flexible & Frequent: With trolleys arriving at each stop every 15–20 minutes, you can spend as much time as you like at each destination without worrying about parking or navigation.
Founded in 1565 by Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León, St Augustine is the oldest continually inhabited city in the United States.
In the compact, historic centre, there are several museums and heritage attractions, some of which are rather chintzy. Try the Lightner Museum, Old Jail, St Augustine History Museum, St Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum and Oldest Store Museum Experience
The Spanish-built Castillo de San Marcos on the waterfront does pack that historic power, though. It should be sight number one before mooching around town. If you’ve time after that, the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, Fort Matanzas and the St Augustine Alligator Farm are solid bets.
Other St Augustine experiences include hop-on, hop-off trolley passes, sunset cruises and dolphin, manatee and sea turtle-viewing tours.
5 great experiences in St Augustine to book now
- 🏛️ Learn the past of the oldest city in the US on a history walking tour.
- 🚤 Take an airboat adventure – spotting alligators and manatees on the way.
- ⛵ See St Augustine from the water on a sunset cruise.
- 🍷 On a food and wine tour, taste St Augustine’s top flavours
- 👻 Hear spooky historic tales on a St Augustine ghost tour.
Jacksonville to Daytona Beach road trip attractions: Fort Matanzas National Monument
The primary attraction of the Fort Matanzas National Monument is the fortified watchtower. It was built by the Spanish in 1742 to defend St Augustine from the south.
However, the national monument also conserves the coastal environment of dunes, marsh and forest. Note that you’ll need to catch a ferry to reach the fort.
Jacksonville to Daytona Beach drive: Palm Coast
Daytona Beach is a fast-growing Florida city, with the beaches the obvious highlight. Jungle Hut Road Park combines sea, sand and nature. You’ll spot hummingbirds here in winter, gannets in summer and pelicans year-round. It’s a short walk over the dunes to the pet-friendly beach.
There’s also a beach in Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, but it is better visited for its rather remarkable coastal rock formations.
More Florida travel
Other Florida travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- The best stops on the Savannah to Jacksonville drive.
- Plan your visit to the Dunlawton Sugar Mill Gardens in Port Orange.
- What you need to know before visiting the Ormond Memorial Art Museum and Gardens in Ormond Beach.
- The highlights of Anastasia State Park in St Augustine.
- Complete guide to the St Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum.
