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Trip from Emerson, GA to Savannah, GA

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

5h 18m

Distance

285.9 mi

460 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$45

one way

EV Charging

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station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 5m ★
6 AM
5h 18m
8 AM
5h 45m
10 AM
5h 28m
12 PM
5h 25m
3 PM
5h 29m
5 PM
5h 44m
8 PM
5h 10m

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

Downtown Emerson, GA, GA

Emerson, GA

Enam Sape

city in and county seat of Chatham County, Georgia, United States

Savannah, GA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 285.9-mile journey from Emerson, GA to Savannah, GA will take approximately 5 hours and 18 minutes of driving time. It's a straightforward, highway-focused drive that's entirely achievable as a single-day trip, with a projected fuel cost of around $45. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, making it an efficient way to travel between these two points within the Southeast region. While the route is primarily highway, it offers a direct path, minimizing time spent on slower local roads. Plan for one primary stop to break up the drive.

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

142.9 miles from Emerson, GA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 41m into the drive .

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Drive Character

Expect a predominantly highway experience on this route, with 99% of your travel occurring on major roadways like I-75 and I-16. The drive unfolds with long, uninterrupted stretches, including a significant 164.2-mile segment on I-16. This highway-focused profile means you'll encounter consistent speeds and efficient travel for the majority of the trip. While not characterized by winding backroads, the consistent, high-speed nature of the interstates allows for steady progress toward your destination.

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 41.8 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 285.9 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 41.8 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 106.6 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 118.9 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
41.8 mi into trip | ~50m 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
106.6 mi into trip | ~2h 2m 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
118.9 mi into trip | ~2h 15m 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
284.7 mi into trip | ~5h 15m 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
285.8 mi into trip | ~5h 18m in

Turn uturn

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

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

Macon

106.6 mi in | ~2h 2m | via I 75

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 16 164.2 mi 2h 57m
I 75 114.9 mi 2h 9m
James Wendell George Parkway 2.3 mi 3m
Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard 0.8 mi 2m
Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway 0.6 mi <1m
Old Allatoona Road Southeast 0.6 mi 1m
GA 293 0.5 mi <1m
West Bay Street 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 16 — 164.2 mi, about 2h 57m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on 4th Street

46 ft · 6 sec · 4th Street
2

Turn left onto Gaston Westbrook Avenue

322 ft · 19 sec · Gaston Westbrook Avenue
3

Turn left onto GA 293

0.5 mi · 54 sec · GA 293
4

Continue on Old Allatoona Road Southeast

0.6 mi · 1 min · Old Allatoona Road Southeast
Use the straight lane.
5

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 31 sec
Toward I 75 South: Atlanta
6

Merge onto I 75

38 mi · 44 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 straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75

65 mi · 1 hr 11 min · I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75

12 mi · 13 min · I 75
Toward Macon, Savannah Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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

For this 5-hour and 18-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Emerson, GA, to maximize daylight hours and arrive in Savannah with time to spare. With a single recommended stop, plan it around the halfway point or when you feel ready for a break; the longest stretch without an exit is over 164 miles on I-16, so be mindful of fuel levels before entering that segment. The $45 fuel cost is an estimate, so check current prices. Given the highway-centric nature, focus on maintaining a steady pace and enjoying the direct transit between these Georgia locales.

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 142.9 miles from Emerson, GA, or about 2h 41m 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 142.9 miles or 2h 41m 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 20m

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 Emerson, 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 Emerson, GA

This is one driving day of about 285.9 miles and 5h 18m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Emerson, 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 142.9 mi from Emerson, GA · 2h 41m into the drive

city in Alabama

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Dadeville, AL

143 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

Dadeville, 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 142.9 miles from Emerson, 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

$44.71 one way

$89.42 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 100 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $48.88 $97.77
premium $4.70 $52.91 $105.83
diesel $5.61 $63.12 $126.25

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$45

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$70–$95

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 100 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 85.8 1 $30.02 $13.72
Efficient EV 71.5 0 $25.02 $11.44
EV Truck/SUV 114.4 1 $40.03 $18.30

Gas CO2

100 kg

EV CO2

33 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 9 minutes ago

Origin

Emerson, GA

Late night in Emerson on Wednesday

Local time

5:10 AM

EDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Savannah, GA

Late night in Savannah on Wednesday

Local time

5:10 AM

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

12 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

5h 18m 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 Emerson, GA to Savannah, GA covers 285.9 miles and takes about 5h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 16, I 75, James Wendell George Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 142.9 miles from Emerson, GA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $44.71 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 12 significant decision points across 285.9 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 41.8 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 106.6 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 118.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Emerson, GA to Savannah, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Macon along the way.

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