Origin
Athens, GA
Evening in Athens on Sunday
Local time
8:14 PM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Athens, GA to Savannah, GA
Drive Time
4h 30m
Distance
216 mi
348 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 17m
★
6 AM
4h 31m
8 AM
4h 57m
10 AM
4h 40m
12 PM
4h 37m
3 PM
4h 41m
5 PM
4h 56m
8 PM
4h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Athens, GA
Efrem Efre
Savannah, GA
Dominik Gryzbon
Trip Overview
Traveling from Athens to Savannah covers 216 miles across the Southeast, typically taking about 4 hours and 30 minutes behind the wheel. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive, you should plan for a full day of travel rather than a quick sprint. Budgeting approximately $35 for fuel will get you from the college atmosphere of Athens to the coastal charm of Savannah. While the trip is manageable in a single day, the winding nature of the roads makes it feel like a significant journey. It is a straightforward, one-stop excursion that keeps you within Georgia for the duration of the trip.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
108 miles from Athens, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 12m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a departure from the monotony of major interstates, as this route is defined by its local roads and technical turns. With only 28% of the trip spent on highways, you will spend most of your time navigating Savannah Highway, GA 24, and Carl Sanders Highway. The longest stretch of uninterrupted driving you will encounter is 38.3 miles along Savannah Highway, requiring you to stay alert through changing road conditions. This is a hands-on driving experience that demands your attention as you transition between rural stretches and local connectors. The character of the road shifts frequently, so be prepared for a drive that prioritizes navigation over high-speed cruising.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 40 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Savannah Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 38.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 19 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near College Avenue.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 216 miles you will encounter 19 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (College Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.2 miles (East Hancock Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (North Thomas Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
College Avenue
Turn right onto College Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East Hancock Avenue
Turn left onto East Hancock Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
North Thomas Street
Turn right onto North Thomas Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
65.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 22m in
Take the ramp toward I-20 East: Augusta
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I-20 East: Augusta
7
89.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 48m in
Take the exit toward I 520 East, GA 232
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 520 East, GA 232
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Savannah Highway | 38.3 mi | 44m |
| GA 24 | 28.8 mi | 41m |
| Carl Sanders Highway | 23.6 mi | 25m |
| Lexington Road | 23.3 mi | 29m |
| US 78 | 21.9 mi | 27m |
| Peach Orchard Road | 21.4 mi | 25m |
| North Columbia Avenue | 13.4 mi | 16m |
| Washington Road | 9.3 mi | 10m |
Longest stretch:
Savannah Highway
— 38.3 mi, about 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Athens, GA and Savannah, GA.
1
Start on North Lumpkin Street
101 ft
·
10 sec
·
North Lumpkin Street
2
Turn left onto East Dougherty Street
451 ft
·
16 sec
·
East Dougherty Street
3
Turn right onto College Avenue
317 ft
·
15 sec
·
College Avenue
Use the none lane.
4
Turn left onto East Hancock Avenue
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
East Hancock Avenue
Use the left lane.
5
Turn right onto North Thomas Street
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
North Thomas Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
6
Turn slight left onto US 78 Business; GA 10
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
·
Oconee Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Continue on US 78 BUS; GA 10
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Oak Street
8
Continue on US 78 BUS; GA 10
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
Oconee Street
9
Continue on US 78 Business; GA 10
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Lexington Road
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 78; GA 10
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Lexington Highway
11
Continue on US 78; GA 10
5.8 mi
·
8 min
·
Lexington Road
Use the none lane.
12
Continue on US 78; GA 10
8.4 mi
·
9 min
·
Athens Road
13
Continue on US 78; GA 10; GA 22
0.9 mi
·
58 sec
·
Main Street
14
Continue on US 78; GA 10; GA 22
9.3 mi
·
10 min
·
Washington Road
15
Continue on US 78; GA 10
16 mi
·
18 min
·
Lexington Road
16
Turn right onto US 78; GA 10; GA 17
22 mi
·
27 min
·
US 78; GA 10; GA 17
Use the none lane.
17
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward I-20 East: Augusta
Use the left lane.
18
Merge onto I 20
24 mi
·
25 min
·
Carl Sanders Highway
Use the straight lane.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 520 East, GA 232
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 520 East
21
Continue on I 520
6.7 mi
·
7 min
·
Bobby Jones Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 25, GA 121
23
Turn right onto US 25; GA 121; I 3 FUT
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Peach Orchard Road
24
Continue on US 25; GA 121; I 3 FUT
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
·
Nellie Drive
25
Continue on US 25; GA 121; I 3 FUT
17 mi
·
20 min
·
Peach Orchard Road
26
Turn right onto US 25; GA 121
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Liberty Street
27
Continue on GA 24
28 mi
·
40 min
·
GA 24
28
Take the ramp onto GA 24
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
GA 24
29
Merge onto US 301; GA 24; GA 73
4.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Burton's Ferry Highway
30
Turn left onto US 301 Business; GA 73
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
US 301 Business; GA 73
31
At end of road, turn left onto GA 21; I 3 FUT
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
Perimeter Road
32
Continue on GA 21; I 3 FUT
38 mi
·
44 min
·
Savannah Highway
Use the straight lane.
33
Continue on GA 21; I 3 FUT
0.1 mi
·
7 sec
·
Augusta Highway
34
Continue on GA 21; I 3 FUT
13 mi
·
16 min
·
North Columbia Avenue
Use the none lane.
35
Turn left onto GA 307; Alternate GA 21
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Bourne Avenue
Use the left lane.
36
Turn right onto GA 25
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Main Street
37
At end of road, turn left onto US 80; GA 26
465 ft
·
7 sec
·
Main Street
38
Continue on US 80; GA 26
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
West Bay Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
39
Turn left
117 ft
·
11 sec
40
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 4-hour and 30-minute journey, aim to depart early in the morning to beat local traffic congestion. Since the route includes only one planned stop, use that break strategically to stretch your legs and refuel your vehicle before tackling the remaining miles. Keep a close watch on your navigation, as the heavy reliance on local roads means missing a turn can add time to your day. Because this route is relatively short, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace if you encounter unexpected delays. Prioritize keeping your tank topped off early, as the local roads may offer fewer service options than a major interstate corridor.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 108 miles from Athens, GA, or about 2h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 38.3 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 80 miles or 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108 miles or 2h 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Savannah, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Athens, GA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Athens, GA
This is one driving day of about 216 miles and 4h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Athens, GA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Savannah Highway for about 38.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 108 mi from Athens, GA · 2h 12m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
108 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 108 miles from Athens, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Savannah, GA
The final approach into Savannah, GA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Savannah, GA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.57 one way
$69.14 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
76 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $37.66 | $75.33 |
| premium | $4.78 | $40.63 | $81.26 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $47.99 | $95.98 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 64.8 | 0 | $22.68 | $10.37 |
| Efficient EV | 54 | 0 | $18.90 | $8.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 86.4 | 1 | $30.24 | $13.82 |
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Savannah, GA
Evening in Savannah on Sunday
Local time
8:14 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
24 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 30m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Athens, GA to Savannah, GA covers 216 miles and takes about 4h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Savannah Highway, GA 24, Carl Sanders Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 108 miles from Athens, GA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $34.57 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 216 miles you will encounter 19 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (College Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.2 miles (East Hancock Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (North Thomas Street): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Athens, GA to Savannah, GA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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