Trip from Dalton, GA to Savannah, GA

Drive Time

6h 14m

Distance

336 mi

541 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$54

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
6h 2m ★
6 AM
6h 14m
8 AM
6h 40m
10 AM
6h 23m
12 PM
6h 21m
3 PM
6h 25m
5 PM
6h 39m
8 PM
6h 7m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Dalton, GA, GA

Dalton, GA

Codioful (formerly Gradienta)

Downtown Savannah, GA, GA

Savannah, GA

Dominik Gryzbon

Trip Overview

Crossing Georgia from Dalton to Savannah covers 336 miles and typically takes about 6 hours and 14 minutes behind the wheel. Because this is a highway-heavy journey, you can manage it in a single day if you are comfortable with a longer stint on the road. You should budget approximately $54 for fuel to complete the trip. Since both cities are located within the Southeast, the transit remains entirely within the state. While it is certainly possible to power through in one go, planning for at least one stop will help keep you fresh as you transition from the northern part of the state toward the coast.

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

168 miles from Dalton, GA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 10m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a straightforward, highway-focused experience, as 97% of this route relies on major thoroughfares. You will spend the bulk of your time navigating I-75 and I-16, with some travel along South Dixie Road. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on I-16, where you will cover 164.2 miles. This is not a technical backroads drive, but rather a consistent interstate trek that allows you to maintain steady speeds. As you move away from Dalton toward Savannah, the road surface and traffic patterns remain fairly predictable, making it a reliable choice for travelers who prefer efficiency over winding scenic detours.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 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 164.2 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 92 miles in near I 75.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 336 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 92 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 156.8 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 169 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
92 mi into trip | ~1h 46m in | I 75

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
156.8 mi into trip | ~2h 58m 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 none lane. Toward Macon, Savannah
8
169 mi into trip | ~3h 11m 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
8
334.9 mi into trip | ~6h 11m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 167A Toward Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
7
336 mi into trip | ~6h 14m in

Turn uturn

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Dalton, GA to Savannah, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Macon along the way.

Macon

156.8 mi in | ~2h 58m | via I 75

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 16 164.2 mi 2h 57m
I 75 159.9 mi 2h 57m
South Dixie Road 5.2 mi 7m
James Wendell George Parkway 2.3 mi 3m
Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard 0.8 mi 2m
South Bypass 0.7 mi <1m
Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway 0.6 mi <1m
South Thornton Avenue 0.6 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 16 — 164.2 mi, about 2h 57m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Dalton, GA and Savannah, GA.

1

Start on West Cuyler Street

455 ft · 25 sec · West Cuyler Street
2

Turn left onto South Thornton Avenue

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Thornton Avenue
3

Continue on South Dixie Road

5.2 mi · 7 min · South Dixie Road
4

Turn right onto GA 3 CONN

0.7 mi · 52 sec · South Bypass
5

Turn left

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Use the left lane.
6

Merge onto I 75

83 mi · 1 hr 32 min · I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Continue on I 75; I 85

2.3 mi · 3 min · James Wendell George Parkway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75

65 mi · 1 hr 11 min · I 75
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75

12 mi · 13 min · I 75
Toward Macon, Savannah Use the none lane.
10

Take the exit

1.1 mi · 1 min
Exit 165 Toward I 16 East: Jim Gillis Highway, Savannah Use the slight right lane.
11

Continue on I 16

164 mi · 2 hr 57 min · I 16
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight left at fork onto I 16

0.6 mi · 53 sec · Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 24 sec
Exit 167A Toward Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Turn left onto Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard

0.8 mi · 2 min · Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
15

Turn left onto GA 25 Connector

0.2 mi · 21 sec · West Bay Street
16

Turn uturn

117 ft · 11 sec
17

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 6-hour-plus drive, try to depart early in the morning to avoid peak traffic congestion near major hubs. Even though the route is manageable in one day, building in at least one planned stop is essential for maintaining focus during the long stretches on I-16. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition between the different interstate segments, keeping your $54 estimate in mind. Since the drive is quite direct, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace based on how you feel throughout the day. Prioritizing a mid-trip break will ensure you arrive in Savannah refreshed and ready to enjoy your destination.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 168 miles from Dalton, GA, or about 3h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 164.2 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 32m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 168 miles or 3h 10m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 7m

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 Dalton, 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 Dalton, GA

This is one driving day of about 336 miles and 6h 14m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Dalton, 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 164.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 168 mi from Dalton, GA · 3h 10m into the drive

Downtown Centre, AL, AL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Centre, AL

168 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

Centre, AL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Dadeville, AL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 168 miles from Dalton, 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 164.2 miles.

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.

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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$53.77 one way

$107.55 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 118 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.43 $58.59 $117.18
premium $4.78 $63.21 $126.41
diesel $5.64 $74.65 $149.30

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$54

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$79–$104

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 117.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 100.8 1 $35.28 $16.13
Efficient EV 84 0 $29.40 $13.44
EV Truck/SUV 134.4 1 $47.04 $21.50

Gas CO2

118 kg

EV CO2

39 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Dalton, GA

Evening in Dalton on Sunday

Local time

7:03 PM

EDT

Current temp

87°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Savannah, GA

Evening in Savannah on Sunday

Local time

7:03 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

22 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

6h 14m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Dalton, GA to Savannah, GA covers 336 miles and takes about 6h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 16, I 75, South Dixie Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 168 miles from Dalton, GA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $53.77 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 12 significant decision points across 336 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 92 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 156.8 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 169 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Dalton, GA to Savannah, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Macon along the way.

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