The drive from Brookhaven, GA to Wilmington Island, GA covers 268.1 miles and takes about 5h 9m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 16, I 75, Downtown Connector for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 163.9 miles on I 16.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $41.92 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
134 miles from Brookhaven, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 34m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 9m. Total distance: 268.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 9m highway drive covering 268.1 miles, with most of the trip on I 16 and I 75. The longest continuous stretch is about 163.9 miles on I 16.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 16 is the longest continuous segment at about 163.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 16 and I 75. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near GA 141 / Peachtree Road Northeast.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 268.1 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (GA 141 / Peachtree Road Northeast): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.4 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 79.2 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in|GA 141 / Peachtree Road Northeast
Turn sharp left onto GA 141 / Peachtree Road Northeast
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
14.4 mi into trip|~23m in|I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
79.2 mi into trip|~1h 34m in|I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward Macon, Savannah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Macon, Savannah
8
91.5 mi into trip|~1h 48m in
Take the exit toward I 16 East: Jim Gillis Highway, Savannah
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 165
Toward I 16 East: Jim Gillis Highway, Savannah
6
256.4 mi into trip|~4h 46m in|GA 204
Take the exit onto GA 204 toward 37th Street, Abercorn Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 165
Toward 37th Street, Abercorn Street
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Brookhaven, GA and Wilmington Island, GA, road signs point toward Macon and Savannah.
Macon
79.2 mi in|~1h 34m|via I 75
Savannah
79.2 mi in|~1h 34m|via I 75
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 16
163.9 mi
2h 57m
I 75
77.1 mi
1h 25m
Downtown Connector
5 mi
6m
Johnny Mercer Boulevard
3.5 mi
6m
East Victory Drive
3.5 mi
5m
GA 204
2.8 mi
5m
James Wendell George Parkway
2.3 mi
3m
North Druid Hills Road
1.9 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 16
— 163.9 mi, about 2h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brookhaven, GA and Wilmington Island, GA.
1
Start on this road
397 ft·34 sec·this road
2
Turn left
63 ft·9 sec
3
Turn left
139 ft·12 sec
4
Turn right onto GA 141
432 ft·10 sec·Peachtree Road Northeast
5
Turn right onto Dresden Drive Northeast
195 ft·10 sec·Dresden Drive Northeast
6
Take the ramp
176 ft·12 sec
7
Turn sharp left onto GA 141
0.2 mi·25 sec·Peachtree Road Northeast
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Turn left onto North Druid Hills Road
1.9 mi·3 min·North Druid Hills Road
Use the left lane.
9
Turn right onto GA 13
1.2 mi·2 min·Buford Highway
10
Continue on GA 13
1.8 mi·2 min·Buford-Spring Connector
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi·59 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 85
1.2 mi·1 min·Northeast Expressway
13
Continue on I 75; I 85
5.0 mi·6 min·Downtown Connector
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 75; I 85
2.3 mi·3 min·James Wendell George Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
65 mi·1 hr 11 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
12 mi·13 min·I 75
Toward Macon, SavannahUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
1.1 mi·1 min
Exit 165Toward I 16 East: Jim Gillis Highway, SavannahUse the slight right lane.
18
Continue on I 16
164 mi·2 hr 57 min·I 16
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit onto GA 204
2.8 mi·5 min·GA 204
Exit 165Toward 37th Street, Abercorn Street
20
Turn right onto Bee Road
0.3 mi·36 sec·Bee Road
21
Turn left onto US 80; GA 26
3.5 mi·5 min·East Victory Drive
22
Turn right onto Johnny Mercer Boulevard
2.9 mi·5 min·Johnny Mercer Boulevard
23
Keep slight left at fork onto Johnny Mercer Boulevard
0.7 mi·1 min·Johnny Mercer Boulevard
24
Turn right onto Penn Waller Road
0.8 mi·2 min·Penn Waller Road
25
Turn right
289 ft·15 sec
26
Turn straight onto Olde Towne Road
0.3 mi·50 sec·Olde Towne Road
27
Turn left onto Gloucester Road
0.1 mi·29 sec·Gloucester Road
28
Turn left onto Wigmore Road
336 ft·19 sec·Wigmore Road
29
Turn left onto Wigmore Court
463 ft·20 sec·Wigmore Court
30
Arrive at destination
Wigmore Court
Trip Plan
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 134 miles from Brookhaven, GA, or about 2h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 163.9 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 59 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134 miles or 2h 34m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wilmington Island, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Brookhaven, 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 Brookhaven, GA
This is one driving day of about 268.1 miles and 5h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Brookhaven, 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 I 16 for about 163.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 134 mi from Brookhaven, GA
· 2h 34m into the drive
The midpoint is around 134 miles from Brookhaven, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 16 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 163.9 miles.
Arriving in Wilmington Island, GA
The final approach into Wilmington Island, 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 Wilmington Island, GA.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Welcome to Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park & Preservation District where a young boy grows up in a time of segregation. He was moved by destiny to lead the modern civil rights movemen...
Welcome to Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park. This park is a prehistoric American Indian site, where many different American Indian cultures occupied this land for thousands of years. American...
For much of the 19th century, masonry fortifications were the United States’ main defense against overseas enemies. However, during the Civil War, new technology proved its superiority over these fort...
Today the river valley attracts us for so many reasons. Take a solitary walk to enjoy nature’s display, raft leisurely through the rocky shoals with friends, fish the misty waters as the sun comes up,...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.92 one way
$83.85 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg94 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$45.84
$91.68
premium
$4.70
$49.62
$99.24
diesel
$5.61
$59.19
$118.39
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.4
0
$28.15
$12.87
Efficient EV
67
0
$23.46
$10.72
EV Truck/SUV
107.2
1
$37.53
$17.16
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Brookhaven, GA
Morning
in Brookhaven on Saturday
Local time
9:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Wilmington Island, GA
Morning
in Wilmington Island on Saturday
Local time
9:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°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
7 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 9m 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 Brookhaven, GA to Wilmington Island, GA covers 268.1 miles and takes about 5h 9m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 16, I 75, Downtown Connector. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 134 miles from Brookhaven, GA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $41.92 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 is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 268.1 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (GA 141 / Peachtree Road Northeast): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.4 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 79.2 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Brookhaven, GA and Wilmington Island, GA, road signs point toward Macon and Savannah.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park and Fort Pulaski National Monument. There are 4 parks within detour distance of this route.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
