Jacksonville is the largest city by area in the United States. This means that distances can be quite long no matter where you go.

Unlike cities like New York or Chicago, which have well-developed public transportation systems with subways and trams, a car is essential in Jacksonville. This is the first thing newcomers should check when moving here.

The main highways in Jacksonville are I-95 (north-south), I-10 (east-west), I-295 (beltway), and J. Turner Butler Boulevard (JTB, FL-202). I-95 is a key route that runs through Jacksonville, connecting northern Florida to Miami along the eastern coast. I-10 extends west from Jacksonville to Tallahassee, Pensacola, and Texas. The I-295 beltway is a bypass that circles around Jacksonville, useful for connecting different areas while avoiding downtown congestion. JTB is an important road that connects the Southside and Jacksonville Beach.

Rush hour traffic congestion occurs on major roads and bridges. The bridges crossing the St. Johns River (such as the Matthews Bridge, Acosta Bridge, and Shores Bridge) experience significant bottlenecks during rush hour. In particular, the section connecting I-95 and I-10 toward downtown sees heavy traffic during commuting hours. It's advisable to check real-time traffic conditions using Google Maps or the Waze app. If your commuting route includes a bridge, it's wise to identify alternative routes in advance.

Public transportation is provided by the bus system operated by JTA (Jacksonville Transportation Authority). The Jacksonville Skyway is an automated monorail that connects areas within downtown, primarily used by downtown workers. However, the overall coverage of public transportation is limited compared to the size of the city.

While there are bus routes, the intervals between buses are long, and they do not cover the entire city. Therefore, relying solely on public transportation to navigate life in Jacksonville is realistically difficult. If you don't have a car in the early days after moving, you'll have to depend on Uber or Lyft, and it's essential to acquire a car as soon as possible if you can.