You're standing in Jacksonville, maybe near the St. Johns Town Center or caught in that messy traffic near the airport, and you decide you need a break. St. Simons Island is the obvious choice. It’s close. It’s beautiful. But honestly, most people treat the drive from Jacksonville FL to St Simons Island GA like a mindless chore on I-95. They miss the good stuff.
It’s only about 75 miles. If you hammer the throttle and ignore the scenery, you're there in 70 minutes. But why?
The transition from Florida’s sprawling River City to Georgia’s Golden Isles is a shift in soul, not just a change in zip code. You leave behind the neon and the high-speed interchanges for moss-draped oaks and a pace of life that feels like it’s stuck in a perpetual Sunday afternoon. It’s a short trip, sure. But if you do it wrong, you’re just swapping one parking lot for another.
The I-95 Grind vs. the Scenic Route
Most GPS units will scream at you to take I-95 North. It’s efficient. It’s also incredibly boring. You see a lot of logistics trucks and pine trees that all look identical after mile marker 10.
If you have an extra twenty minutes, get off the interstate.
Take US-17 instead. This is the old coastal highway, the "Atlantic Coastal Highway," and it feels like real Georgia. You’ll pass through places like Woodbine. You’ll see the marshes of Glynn. The sky opens up over the salt marshes in a way that I-95 simply can't replicate because of the sound barriers and the elevation.
When you cross the Florida-Georgia line over the St. Marys River, things change. The air gets a little heavier, saltier. The Florida side is often about development; the Georgia side, at least this stretch of it, feels a bit more rugged and preserved.
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Why the Sidney Lanier Bridge is the Real Starting Point
You aren't officially "there" until you hit the Sidney Lanier Bridge. It’s a massive cable-stayed beauty that looms over the Brunswick River.
Pro tip: don't just stare at the road. Look out to the right. You’ll see the Port of Brunswick, which is one of the busiest ports in the U.S. for "Ro-Ro" (roll-on/roll-off) cargo. Those giant ships carrying thousands of European cars look like floating apartment complexes.
Crossing that bridge is a rite of passage. It’s the highest point in the area, and for a fleeting moment, you can see the entire network of islands—Jekyll to the south, St. Simons straight ahead, and Sea Island tucked behind it.
The Reality of St. Simons Traffic and Parking
Let’s talk about the "Mallery Street" situation.
Everyone who drives up from Jacksonville thinks they’ll just pull right up to the Pier Village and find a spot. In July? Forget it. You’ll be circling for forty minutes while your blood pressure spikes.
Jacksonville FL to St Simons Island GA travelers often forget that St. Simons is a residential community, not just a resort. The village is compact. If you’re arriving on a weekend, aim for the public parking lots near the lighthouse or the library. They’re a short walk, but it beats the gridlock on the main drag.
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Actually, the best way to see the island isn't by car at all.
Once you arrive, park the SUV. Rent a bike. The island is webbed with paved paths that take you under the "Tree Spirits"—hand-carved faces in the trunks of live oaks. There are about 11 of them scattered around. Finding them is a local obsession and much more rewarding than fighting for a parking spot at the King and Prince.
Where to Eat (That Isn't a Tourist Trap)
Look, Southern Soul Barbeque is famous for a reason. It’s been on every TV show imaginable. The queue will be long. The brisket is phenomenal.
But if you want to eat where the locals go when they want to avoid the crowds coming up from Jax, try some of the spots tucked away in the "Redfern Village" area. It’s a bit more bohemian, less "lighthouse-souvenir-shop" vibes.
- Gnat's Landing: It’s loud, it’s casual, and the fried pickles are non-negotiable.
- Delaney’s Bistro: If you want to pretend you aren't wearing flip-flops (even though you probably are), this is the upscale choice.
- Certified Burgers and Beverage: Best burgers on the island, period.
The seafood on St. Simons is legitimately fresh. We aren't talking "trucked in from a warehouse" fresh; we're talking "came off a boat in Brunswick this morning" fresh. Georgia shrimp—the sweet, wild-caught ones—are superior to almost anything else you'll find on the Atlantic coast.
The History Most People Drive Right Past
St. Simons isn't just a beach. It’s a graveyard of history.
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Most people from Jacksonville head straight to the beach at East Beach or Gould’s Inlet. They miss Fort Frederica National Monument.
Back in 1736, James Oglethorpe established this as a military outpost to protect the Georgia colony against the Spanish in Florida. It was a literal buffer zone. When you walk through the ruins, you’re standing on the site of the Battle of Bloody Marsh. This is where the British effectively ended the Spanish claim to Georgia.
It’s quiet there. The Spanish moss hangs so thick it feels like a curtain. It’s a stark contrast to the buzzing energy of Jacksonville’s urban core.
Logistics: The Nitty Gritty
If you’re planning the trip, keep these specifics in mind:
- The Toll: There is no toll to get onto St. Simons Island. This confuses people because Jekyll Island (the neighbor to the south) requires a daily parking pass/entry fee. St. Simons is open access.
- The Tides: This isn't the Gulf of Mexico. The tides here are massive. We’re talking 6 to 9-foot swings. At high tide, the beach at the Pier basically disappears. At low tide, you can walk out for what feels like miles on the sandbars. Check a tide chart before you pack the cooler.
- The Bugs: Coastal Georgia has "no-see-ums." They are tiny gnats that bite, and they don't care about your feelings. They are worst at dawn and dusk. If there’s no breeze, stay inside or prepare to itch.
Why this Trip Still Matters in 2026
In an era where we can fly across the country in a few hours, the micro-road trip has become a lost art. The drive from Jacksonville FL to St Simons Island GA is the perfect "reset" button. It’s long enough to feel like a getaway, but short enough that you don't need a vacation from your vacation.
The island has managed to resist the high-rise mania that took over places like Daytona or even parts of Jax Beach. There’s a height limit on buildings. You won't see skyscrapers blocking the sun. You see trees. You see old tabby houses (made of crushed oyster shells, lime, and sand).
Actionable Steps for Your Trip
- Download the "Tree Spirit" Map: Don't just wing it. Some are on private property or hidden in parks. Having the map makes it a fun scavenger hunt for kids (or bored adults).
- Check the Pier Village Event Calendar: They often have "Crafts in the Village" or live music. It’s worth timing your arrival to catch these.
- Stop at the Marshes of Glynn Overlook: On US-17, there’s a small park dedicated to Sidney Lanier’s famous poem. It’s the best place for a photo that isn't a cliché beach shot.
- Visit Christ Church, Frederica: Even if you aren't religious, the grounds are some of the most beautiful in the South. The cemetery has graves dating back to the 1700s.
Don't just drive. Observe. The shift from the Florida palms to the Georgia oaks is subtle until it isn't. By the time you hit the F.J. Torras Causeway, windows down, smelling the pluff mud and salt, you’ll realize that 75 miles was all the distance you really needed to find a different world.
Pack the bug spray, leave the I-95 stress behind, and take the slow road. The island isn't going anywhere.