Trip from Gainesville, GA to Saint Simons Island, GA

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

6h 46m

Distance

332.5 mi

535 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$52

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min

4 AM

6h 34m ★

6 AM

6h 46m

8 AM

7h 10m

10 AM

6h 54m

12 PM

6h 52m

3 PM

6h 56m

5 PM

7h 9m

8 PM

6h 39m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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county seat of Hall County, Georgia, United States

Gainesville, GA

Wikimedia Commons

Saint Simons Island, GA

Jim Patrick

Trip Overview

The drive from Gainesville, GA to Saint Simons Island, GA covers 332.5 miles and takes about 6h 46m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 95, US 25, Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 60 miles on I 95. At current regular gas prices, budget about $52.00 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

166.3 miles from Gainesville, GA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 27m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 46m. Total distance: 332.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 46m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Drive Character

This is a 6h 46m highway drive covering 332.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 95 and US 25. The longest continuous stretch is about 60 miles on I 95.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 60 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 95 is the longest continuous segment at about 60 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and US 25. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 40.2 miles in near US 129; US 441; 10 Loop; 15 / Inner Loop 10.

Driving Effort 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 34 significant decision points across 332.5 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 40.2 miles (US 129; US 441; 10 Loop; 15 / Inner Loop 10): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 107 miles: Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 34 key points

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

40.2 mi into trip | ~55m in | US 129; US 441; 10 Loop; 15 / Inner Loop 10

Take the exit onto US 129; US 441; 10 Loop; 15 / Inner Loop 10 toward US 129 South, US 441 South, GA 10 Loop Inner: Watkinsville, Lexington

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 10C Toward US 129 South, US 441 South, GA 10 Loop I...

42.7 mi into trip | ~58m in

Take the exit toward US 78, GA 10: Oconee Street, Lexington Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Exit 8 Toward US 78, GA 10: Oconee Street, Lexington R...

107 mi into trip | ~2h 17m in

Take the ramp toward I-20 East: Augusta

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward I-20 East: Augusta

130.9 mi into trip | ~2h 43m 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

318.2 mi into trip | ~6h 20m in

Take the exit toward US 17, GA 25 Spur: Brunswick, Veterans Memorial, North Golden Isles Parkway

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 38 Toward US 17, GA 25 Spur: Brunswick, Veterans M...

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

Between Gainesville, GA and Saint Simons Island, GA, road signs point toward Lexington and Jacksonville.

Lexington

40.2 mi in | ~55m | via US 129; US 441; 10 Loop; 15

Jacksonville

257.7 mi in | ~5h 15m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 95	60 mi	1h 4m
US 25	44.6 mi	51m
Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway	30.4 mi	32m
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
US 129	21.4 mi	31m

Longest stretch: I 95 — 60 mi, about 1h 4m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Gainesville, GA and Saint Simons Island, GA.

Start on Green Street

36 ft · 3 sec · Green Street

Turn right onto GA 60; GA 369

183 ft · 4 sec · Jesse Jewell Parkway Southeast

Turn right onto US 129 Business; GA 11

1.8 mi · 3 min · E. E. Butler Parkway

Continue on US 129; GA 11

14 mi · 17 min · Athens Highway

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 129; GA 11

8.1 mi · 11 min · US 129; GA 11

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 129; GA 15 Alternate

13 mi · 18 min · US 129; GA 15 Alternate

Use the straight / right lanes.

Take the exit onto US 129

0.5 mi · 1 min · US 129

Merge onto US 129; GA 10 Loop

2.7 mi · 3 min · Inner Loop 10

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit onto US 129; US 441; 10 Loop; 15

2.5 mi · 3 min · Inner Loop 10

Exit 10C Toward US 129 South, US 441 South, GA 10 Loop Inner: Watkinsville, Lexington Use the slight right lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 13 sec

Exit 8 Toward US 78, GA 10: Oconee Street, Lexington Road Use the right lane.

Turn right onto US 78 Business; GA 10

0.1 mi · 14 sec · Oconee Street

Use the right lane.

Continue on US 78 Business; GA 10

1.5 mi · 2 min · Lexington Road

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 78; GA 10

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Lexington Highway

Continue on US 78; GA 10

5.8 mi · 8 min · Lexington Road

Use the left lane.

Continue on US 78; GA 10

8.4 mi · 9 min · Athens Road

Continue on US 78; GA 10; GA 22

0.9 mi · 58 sec · Main Street

Continue on US 78; GA 10; GA 22

9.3 mi · 10 min · Washington Road

Continue on US 78; GA 10

16 mi · 18 min · Lexington Road

Turn right onto US 78; GA 10; GA 17

22 mi · 27 min · US 78; GA 10; GA 17

Use the straight lane.

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 38 sec

Toward I-20 East: Augusta Use the left lane.

Merge onto I 20

24 mi · 25 min · Carl Sanders Highway

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec

Toward I 520 East, GA 232 Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward I 520 East

Continue on I 520

6.7 mi · 7 min · Bobby Jones Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min

Toward US 25, GA 121

Turn right onto US 25; GA 121; I 3 FUT

4.3 mi · 5 min · Peach Orchard Road

Continue on US 25; GA 121; I 3 FUT

0.3 mi · 21 sec · Nellie Drive

Continue on US 25; GA 121; I 3 FUT

17 mi · 20 min · Peach Orchard Road

Turn right onto US 25; GA 121

2.1 mi · 3 min · Liberty Street

Turn right onto US 25; GA 121

1.8 mi · 2 min · US 25; GA 121

At end of road, turn left onto US 25; GA 121; I 3 FUT

20 mi · 22 min · US 25; GA 121; I 3 FUT

Continue on US 25/GA 23-67-121

1.3 mi · 1 min · US 25/GA 23-67-121

Continue on US 25; GA 67; GA 121

18 mi · 20 min · US 25; GA 67; GA 121

Continue on US 25; US 80; GA 26; GA 67

4.4 mi · 5 min · US 25; US 80; GA 26; GA 67

Turn right onto US 25 Bypass

7.3 mi · 10 min · Veterans Memorial Parkway

Take the exit

231 ft · 6 sec

Turn slight right onto GA 67

8.4 mi · 11 min · Highway 67

Continue on GA 67

2.8 mi · 4 min · GA 67

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 31 sec

Toward I 16 East: Savannah

Merge onto I 16

30 mi · 32 min · Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 31 sec

Toward I 95 South: Brunswick, Jacksonville

Merge onto I 95

60 mi · 1 hr 4 min · I 95

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 55 sec

Exit 38 Toward US 17, GA 25 Spur: Brunswick, Veterans Memorial, North Golden Isles Parkway

Turn left onto GA 25 Spur

4.7 mi · 7 min · Golden Isles Parkway

Use the straight / left lanes.

Continue on US 17; GA 25

1.5 mi · 2 min · Glynn Avenue

Turn left onto Fernando Joseph Torras Causeway

2.0 mi · 3 min · Fernando Joseph Torras Causeway

Continue on F. J. Torras Causeway

2.3 mi · 3 min · F. J. Torras Causeway

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 14 sec

Continue on Sea Island Road

0.2 mi · 17 sec · Sea Island Road

Turn right

0.1 mi · 20 sec

Continue on Demere Road

1.0 mi · 1 min · Demere Road

Enter roundabout onto Demere Road

114 ft · 2 sec · Demere Road

Continue on Demere Road

1.0 mi · 1 min · Demere Road

Enter roundabout onto East Beach Causeway

194 ft · 3 sec · East Beach Causeway

Continue on East Beach Causeway

0.4 mi · 59 sec · East Beach Causeway

Enter roundabout onto 1st Street

88 ft · 2 sec · 1st Street

Continue on 1st Street

353 ft · 19 sec · 1st Street

Turn left onto Bruce Drive

0.4 mi · 1 min · Bruce Drive

Turn right onto 8th Street

137 ft · 6 sec · 8th Street

Arrive at destination

8th Street

Trip Plan

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 166.3 miles from Gainesville, GA, or about 3h 27m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60 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 73 miles or 1h 36m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 166.3 miles or 3h 27m 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 31m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint Simons Island, GA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Gainesville, 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 Gainesville, GA

This is one driving day of about 332.5 miles and 6h 46m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 73 miles from Gainesville, 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 95 for about 60 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 166.3 mi from Gainesville, GA · 3h 27m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Washington, GA

166 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

Smyrna, GA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 73 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Millen, GA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 166.3 miles from Gainesville, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 60 miles.

Arriving in Saint Simons Island, GA

The final approach into Saint Simons 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 Saint Simons Island, 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

$52.00 one way

$103.99 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 116 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.34	$56.85	$113.70
premium	$4.70	$61.54	$123.08
diesel	$5.61	$73.41	$146.82

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: 116.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	99.8	1	$34.91	$15.96
Efficient EV	83.1	0	$29.09	$13.30
EV Truck/SUV	133	1	$46.55	$21.28

Gas CO2

116 kg

EV CO2

39 kg (66% 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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Gainesville, GA

Afternoon in Gainesville on Thursday

Local time

3:09 PM

EDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Saint Simons Island, GA

Afternoon in Saint Simons Island on Thursday

Local time

3:09 PM

EDT

Current temp

63°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

75°F

Washington, GA

166 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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

13 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

6h 46m 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 Gainesville, GA to Saint Simons Island, GA covers 332.5 miles and takes about 6h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 95, US 25, Jim Gillis Historic Savannah 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 166.3 miles from Gainesville, GA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $52.00 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.