Fireworks on the St. Johns, Jan 1 at the beach
This is leg 1 of 1, the opening leg.
Travel leg · Jacksonville New Year's Eve
Downtown Jacksonville & Southbank to Jacksonville Beach
Downtown Jacksonville & Southbank and Jacksonville Beach sit about 26 km (16 mi) apart in a straight line, with Jacksonville Beach to the east. It is leg 1 of 1 on our Jacksonville New Year's Eve itinerary, a 3-day trip. Here is how long it takes by car, what to see on the way and where it fits in a real itinerary.
- Straight-line distance
- 26 km · 16 mi
- Est. road distance
- 31–37 km
- Est. drive time
- 25–45 min
- Direction
- Heading east
- Curated routes
- 1 itinerary
Road distance is estimated as 1.2–1.4× the straight line; drive time assumes average speeds of 50–80 km/h with no stops or traffic. These are rough estimates — check a maps app for the actual route.
Ways to get there
We don't have live routing data, so the figures below are labelled estimates built from the straight-line distance. Use them to plan the day, then confirm in a maps app.
By car
Most travelers on our Jacksonville New Year's Eve itinerary do this leg by car. We estimate 31–37 km (19–23 mi) of road and 25–45 min behind the wheel, so check live traffic before you set off.
Downtown, the Southbank and San Marco are close together; the JTA Skyway is free and links the Northbank and Southbank, but check its hours on Dec 31. Boats are kept off the river between the Acosta and Main Street bridges during the show. Rideshare prices surge after midnight, so stay within walking distance of your viewing spot. Jacksonville Beach is about 30 minutes east of downtown by car via Beach Boulevard or J. Turner Butler Boulevard, and Jacksonville International Airport is about 25 minutes north of downtown.
Open Downtown Jacksonville → Jacksonville Beach directions in Google Maps ↗
Worth stopping for
Picks from our curated guides at both ends.
When you arrive in Jacksonville Beach
A Jan 1 morning plunge, a diner breakfast and an afternoon on quiet beaches.
Jacksonville Beach Pier
Long concrete fishing pier off the main beach, rebuilt after hurricane damage, with a small fee to walk out.
Little Talbot Island State Park
Undeveloped barrier island with miles of beach, dunes and a trail through maritime forest.
Lemon Bar
Open-air beach bar at the end of Lemon Street in Neptune Beach, known for its frozen lemon drink.
Metro Diner
Jacksonville-born diner, first opened in San Marco in 1992, known for fried chicken and waffles.
Jax Beach Polar Plunge
The city's New Year's Day plunge into the Atlantic, held for over 30 years; more than 1,000 people went in for 2026.
Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park
City park north of Atlantic Beach with about a mile and a half of beach, a freshwater lake and wooded trails.
Before you leave Downtown Jacksonville & Southbank
Two nights on the river for the fireworks, steak dinners and San Marco.
St. Johns River New Year's Eve fireworks
The city's free midnight fireworks over the St. Johns, launched near the Main Street Bridge and the Shipyards.
Southbank Riverwalk
Boardwalk along the south bank of the St. Johns with a straight-on view of the downtown skyline and Main Street Bridge.
Florida Theatre
Restored 1927 Mediterranean Revival movie palace downtown, now a concert and comedy venue.
On this curated route
Where Downtown Jacksonville → Jacksonville Beach sits in the full itinerary. Highlighted stops are this leg.
Going the other way? Jacksonville Beach to Downtown Jacksonville & Southbank is the same 26 km in a straight line, heading west. Reverse directions in Google Maps ↗
Downtown Jacksonville to Jacksonville Beach: questions travelers ask
How far is Downtown Jacksonville & Southbank from Jacksonville Beach?
Downtown Jacksonville & Southbank is about 26 km (16 mi) from Jacksonville Beach in a straight line, with Jacksonville Beach to the east. By road, we estimate 31–37 km (19–23 mi), or 1.2–1.4 times the straight line. Check a maps app for the exact route.
How long does it take to drive from Downtown Jacksonville & Southbank to Jacksonville Beach?
An estimated 25–45 min, assuming 31–37 km of road at average speeds of 50–80 km/h with no stops or traffic. It is not a routed time, so check a maps app on the day.
Which itineraries include the trip from Downtown Jacksonville & Southbank to Jacksonville Beach?
Our Jacksonville New Year's Eve itinerary includes this leg. Jacksonville New Year's Eve runs about 3 days across 2 stops, best in Dec 30 – Jan 1.
Guides for both ends
- Downtown Jacksonville & Southbank travel guide
- Downtown Jacksonville & Southbank weather best time to visit
- Jacksonville Beach travel guide
- Jacksonville Beach weather best time to visit
Jacksonville Beach by month
- Jacksonville Beach in January
- Jacksonville Beach in February
- Jacksonville Beach in March
- Jacksonville Beach in April
- Jacksonville Beach in May
- Jacksonville Beach in June
- Jacksonville Beach in July
- Jacksonville Beach in August
- Jacksonville Beach in September
- Jacksonville Beach in October
- Jacksonville Beach in November
- Jacksonville Beach in December
Plan Downtown Jacksonville → Jacksonville Beach with your crew
Add this leg to a shared itinerary, poll the group on where to stop, split fuel and tickets, and keep everyone's packing list in one place in TripsCircle.