Drive Time
6h 6m
Distance
326.2 mi
525 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$52
one way
Photo: Dominik Gryzbon
The drive from Ellijay, GA to Savannah, GA covers 326.2 miles and takes about 6h 6m 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, APD Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 164.2 miles on I 16. At current regular gas prices, budget about $52.20 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
163.1 miles from Ellijay, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 8m into the drive .
This is a 6h 6m highway drive covering 326.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 16 and I 75. The longest continuous stretch is about 164.2 miles on I 16.
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 0.2 miles in near GA 2; GA 52 / River Street.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 326.2 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 0.2 miles (GA 2; GA 52 / River Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 146.9 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 159.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Enter roundabout onto GA 2; GA 52 / River Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
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
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
Keep slight right at fork toward Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Turn uturn
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
On the drive from Ellijay, GA to Savannah, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Macon along the way.
Macon
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 16 | 164.2 mi | 2h 57m |
| I 75 | 77.1 mi | 1h 25m |
| APD Highway | 24.8 mi | 30m |
| Phillip Landrum Memorial Highway | 21.1 mi | 22m |
| Larry McDonald Memorial Highway | 10.3 mi | 11m |
| A P D Highway | 10.1 mi | 10m |
| Horace E Tate Freeway | 7.3 mi | 8m |
| Downtown Connector | 5 mi | 6m |
Step-by-step road directions between Ellijay, GA and Savannah, GA.
Start on North Church Street
Turn left onto North Main Street
Enter roundabout onto GA 2; GA 52
Continue on GA 2; GA 52
Turn slight right onto GA 2
Take the ramp
Merge onto GA 5; GA 515
Continue on I 575; GA 5
Continue on I 575; GA 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 575; GA 5
Merge onto I 75; GA 5
Continue on I 75
Continue on I 75; I 85
Continue on I 75; I 85
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
Take the exit
Continue on I 16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 16
Keep slight right at fork
Turn left onto Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
Turn left onto GA 25 Connector
Turn uturn
Arrive at 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.
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 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 163.1 miles or 3h 8m 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
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Savannah, GA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Ellijay, 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 Ellijay, GA
This is one driving day of about 326.2 miles and 6h 6m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 163.1 mi from Ellijay, GA · 3h 8m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
163 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 163.1 miles from Ellijay, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 16 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 164.2 miles.
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.
Regular Gas
$52.20 one way
$104.41 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $56.88 | $113.76 |
| premium | $4.78 | $61.36 | $122.72 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $72.47 | $144.94 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 114.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 97.9 | 1 | $34.25 | $15.66 |
| Efficient EV | 81.6 | 0 | $28.54 | $13.05 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 130.5 | 1 | $45.67 | $20.88 |
Gas CO2
114 kg
EV CO2
38 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Evening in Ellijay on Saturday
Local time
5:11 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Evening in Savannah on Saturday
Local time
5:11 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
87°F
Centre, AL
163 mi in
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Ellijay, GA or browse trips ending in Savannah, GA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse GA road trips.
Explore maps for Ellijay, GA or Savannah, GA on MapSof.net.
