Spanning 242.3 miles across Georgia, this trip takes you from Richland to the coastal charm of Savannah in approximately 4 hours and 58 minutes. Because the drive is manageable within a single day, you can easily tackle the entire distance without needing an overnight stay. You should budget about $39 for fuel to cover the journey, which primarily utilizes the Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway, GA 96, and Quail Drive. Transitioning from the interior Southeast to the coast, the route remains straightforward and efficient. It is an ideal choice for travelers who prefer a focused, one-day itinerary rather than a multi-day excursion. Whether you are heading east for business or a change of scenery, this highway-oriented path provides a direct connection between the two points.
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
121.2 miles from Richland, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 45m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 58m. Total distance: 242.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 78% of this journey is spent on major roads designed for steady travel. You will spend a significant portion of your time on the Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 137.6 miles. This makes for a consistent, high-speed pace once you merge onto the main corridors. While the drive is efficient, the transition from local roads like Quail Drive to the parkway creates a noticeable shift in road character. You should prepare for a drive that prioritizes speed and directness over technical, winding backroads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 34 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 137.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway and GA 96. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 48.7 miles in near GA 224 / Quail Drive.
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 20 significant decision points across 242.3 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 48.7 miles (GA 224 / Quail Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 69.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 75.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
48.7 mi into trip|~1h 11m in|GA 224 / Quail Drive
Turn left onto GA 224 / Quail Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
69.1 mi into trip|~1h 39m in
Take the exit toward I-75 North: Macon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I-75 North: Macon
7
75.7 mi into trip|~1h 46m in
Take the exit toward GA 96: Housers Mill Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 142
Toward GA 96: Housers Mill Road
8
241.2 mi into trip|~4h 55m 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
242.3 mi into trip|~4h 58m 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 Richland, GA to Savannah, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Georgia Technical College along the way.
Georgia Technical College
76.1 mi in|~1h 47m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway
137.6 mi
2h 28m
GA 96
23.4 mi
33m
Quail Drive
20.4 mi
28m
GA 153
18.3 mi
25m
East Oglethorpe Street
16.6 mi
23m
Nicholson Street
9 mi
13m
I 75
6.2 mi
6m
GA 358
3.6 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway
— 137.6 mi, about 2h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Richland, GA and Savannah, GA.
1
Start on Wall Street
37 ft·4 sec·Wall Street
2
Turn right onto US 280; GA 27
9.0 mi·13 min·Nicholson Street
3
Turn left onto Washington Street
0.4 mi·53 sec·Washington Street
4
Keep slight right at fork onto Washington Street
0.2 mi·33 sec·Washington Street
5
Turn straight onto GA 153
18 mi·25 min·GA 153
6
Turn right onto GA 153
92 ft·9 sec·GA 153
7
Continue on GA 153
348 ft·6 sec·Old Highway 19
Use the left / right lanes.
8
Turn straight onto GA 153
0.7 mi·1 min·South Broad Street
9
Turn right onto GA 26
0.7 mi·1 min·East Oglethorpe Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Enter roundabout onto GA 26
116 ft·4 sec·East Oglethorpe Street
11
Continue on GA 26
16 mi·21 min·East Oglethorpe Street
12
Continue on GA 26
2.6 mi·4 min·Riverview Drive
13
Continue on GA 26; GA 224
0.8 mi·1 min·Spaulding Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Turn left onto GA 224
20 mi·28 min·Quail Drive
Use the left lane.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward I-75 North: MaconUse the left lane.
16
Merge onto I 75
6.2 mi·6 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Exit 142Toward GA 96: Housers Mill RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn right
113 ft·2 sec
Toward GA 96 East: Jeffersonville, Central Georgia Technical College
Exit 167AToward Martin Luther King Junior BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Turn left onto Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
0.8 mi·2 min·Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
32
Turn left onto GA 25 Connector
0.2 mi·21 sec·West Bay Street
33
Turn uturn
117 ft·11 sec
34
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Planning for this trip is simple since it only requires one deliberate stop to break up the nearly five-hour drive. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to ensure you arrive in Savannah with plenty of daylight to navigate the city. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you transition between the parkway and secondary roads to avoid unnecessary detours for gas. Given the 242.3-mile distance, staying hydrated and taking a full break during your single stop will keep you sharp behind the wheel. Because the route is so heavily reliant on the Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway, use that long 137.6-mile stretch to find a comfortable cruising speed and maintain your momentum.
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 121.2 miles from Richland, GA, or about 2h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 137.6 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 53 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 121.2 miles or 2h 45m 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 9m
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 Richland, 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 Richland, GA
This is one driving day of about 242.3 miles and 4h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Richland, 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 Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway for about 137.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 121.2 mi from Richland, GA
· 2h 45m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Jimmy Carter National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Few U.S. Presidents have had such close ties with where they were born and raised. The rural southern culture of Plains, Georgia revolves around farming, church, and school, which had a large influenc...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 16.7
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
$10
near mile 242.3
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...
20 mi from route
~49 min detour
Free
near mile 83.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.89 one way
$75.78 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg85 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$41.43
$82.86
premium
$4.70
$44.84
$89.69
diesel
$5.61
$53.50
$106.99
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
72.7
0
$25.44
$11.63
Efficient EV
60.6
0
$21.20
$9.69
EV Truck/SUV
96.9
1
$33.92
$15.51
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
28 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
Richland, GA
Evening
in Richland on Friday
Local time
6:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Savannah, GA
Evening
in Savannah on Friday
Local time
6:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°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
5 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
4h 58m 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 Richland, GA to Savannah, GA covers 242.3 miles and takes about 4h 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway, GA 96, Quail Drive. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 121.2 miles from Richland, GA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $37.89 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 20 significant decision points across 242.3 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 48.7 miles (GA 224 / Quail Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 69.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 75.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Richland, GA to Savannah, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Georgia Technical College along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Jimmy Carter National Historical Park, Fort Pulaski National Monument and Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park.
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.
