The road's name comes from the fact that its northern terminus was originally at the entrance to Jacksonville International Airport.

The route starts at an interchange with I-295, and runs through mostly wooded areas and light industrial zones as a four-lane divided highway.

As International Airport Boulevard comes to an end, SR 243 makes a sharp right turn and follows Pecan Park Road eastbound resuming its status as another four-lane divided highway until the interchange with I-95 where it terminates.

International Airport Boulevard was constructed at the cost of $7.2 million, and opened on May 7, 2004 at 9:30 a.m.[2] Prosser Hallock was in charge of the project.

The new road created a straight shot to the airport from I-295 and shortened the drive from the west by about three miles (4.8 km).