The drive from Savannah, GA to Arcade, GA covers 231.6 miles and takes about 4h 53m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 78, GA 21, Carl Sanders Highway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 42 miles on US 78.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $36.22 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
115.8 miles from Savannah, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 31m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 53m. Total distance: 231.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Savannah, GA to Arcade, GA covers 231.6 miles and takes about 4h 53m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 38 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 78 is the longest continuous segment at about 42 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 123.5 miles in near I 520 / Bobby Jones Expressway.
Driving Effort10/10
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 24 significant decision points across 231.6 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 123.5 miles (I 520 / Bobby Jones Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 124.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 215 miles (US 129; US 441; 10 Loop; 15 / Outer Loop 10): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 24 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
123.5 mi into trip|~2h 40m in|I 520 / Bobby Jones Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 520 / Bobby Jones Expressway toward I 20: Atlanta, Lexington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 20: Atlanta, Lexington
7
124.1 mi into trip|~2h 41m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 20 West: Atlanta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 20 West: Atlanta
7
215 mi into trip|~4h 29m in|US 129; US 441; 10 Loop; 15 / Outer Loop 10
Take the exit onto US 129; US 441; 10 Loop; 15 / Outer Loop 10 toward US 129, US 441, GA 10 Loop: Commerce, Jefferson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward US 129, US 441, GA 10 Loop: Commerce, Je...
8
218.6 mi into trip|~4h 34m in|US 129
Take the exit onto US 129 toward US 129 North: Prince Avenue, Jefferson
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 14
Toward US 129 North: Prince Avenue, Jefferson
6
218.8 mi into trip|~4h 34m in|US 129; GA 15 Alternate / Jefferson Road
Merge onto US 129; GA 15 Alternate / Jefferson Road
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Savannah, GA and Arcade, GA, road signs point toward Lexington, Washington and Jefferson.
Lexington
123.5 mi in|~2h 40m|via I 520
Washington
148.6 mi in|~3h 8m
Jefferson
215 mi in|~4h 29m|via US 129; US 441; 10 Loop; 15
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 78
42 mi
50m
GA 21
41.9 mi
48m
Carl Sanders Highway
23.9 mi
25m
Main Street
19.5 mi
26m
GA 56
13.7 mi
19m
Augusta Road
12.6 mi
17m
Thomson Road
11 mi
13m
Washington Road
10.8 mi
12m
Longest stretch:
US 78
— 42 mi, about 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Savannah, GA and Arcade, GA.
1
Start on this road
145 ft·13 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto North Fahm Street
72 ft·6 sec·North Fahm Street
3
Turn right onto West Bay Street
1.7 mi·2 min·West Bay Street
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward I 516 West, GA 21 North
5
Merge onto I 516; GA 21; GA 25
1.1 mi·1 min·William F. Lynes Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on GA 21
13 mi·17 min·Augusta Road
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on GA 21; I 3 FUT
42 mi·48 min·GA 21; I 3 FUT
Use the straight lane.
8
Turn right onto GA 21 Business
1.5 mi·2 min·South Main Street
9
Continue on US 301 Business; GA 73; GA 21 Business
1.0 mi·1 min·North Main Street
10
Turn slight left onto US 301 Business; GA 73
299 ft·6 sec·US 301 Business; GA 73
11
Turn right onto US 301; GA 73 Loop
4.5 mi·5 min·US 301; GA 73 Loop
12
Take the exit onto GA 24
5.4 mi·7 min·GA 24
13
Turn right onto Millhaven Road
1.9 mi·2 min·Millhaven Road
14
Continue on Milhaven Road
1.2 mi·1 min·Milhaven Road
15
Turn straight onto Girard Millhaven Road
3.4 mi·4 min·Girard Millhaven Road
16
Continue on Millhaven Road
5.6 mi·7 min·Millhaven Road
17
Continue on GA 23
19 mi·26 min·Main Street
18
At end of road, turn right onto GA 56
14 mi·19 min·GA 56
19
Take the ramp onto GA 56
202 ft·6 sec·Mike Padgett Highway
20
Take the ramp
0.7 mi·1 min
21
Merge onto I 520
7.4 mi·8 min·Bobby Jones Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto I 520
0.7 mi·53 sec·Bobby Jones Expressway
Toward I 20: Atlanta, LexingtonUse the straight lane.
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 20 West: AtlantaUse the straight / slight left lanes.
24
Merge onto I 20
24 mi·25 min·Carl Sanders Highway
Use the straight lane.
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward US 78, GA 17: Thomson, Washington
26
Turn right onto GA 17
11 mi·12 min·Washington Road
27
Continue on US 78; GA 10; GA 17
11 mi·13 min·Thomson Road
28
Turn left onto US 78; GA 10
42 mi·50 min·US 78; GA 10
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi·20 sec
30
Merge onto US 29; US 129; US 441; GA 8; GA 10 Loop; GA 15
2.1 mi·2 min·Outer Loop 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Take the exit onto US 129; US 441; 10 Loop; 15
3.6 mi·4 min·Outer Loop 10
Toward US 129, US 441, GA 10 Loop: Commerce, JeffersonUse the straight / right lanes.
32
Take the exit onto US 129
0.2 mi·26 sec·US 129
Exit 14Toward US 129 North: Prince Avenue, JeffersonUse the slight right lane.
33
Merge onto US 129; GA 15 Alternate
7.7 mi·11 min·Jefferson Road
Use the right lane.
34
Continue on US 129; GA 15 Alternate
4.8 mi·6 min·US 129; GA 15 Alternate
35
Turn right onto US 129 Business; GA 15 Alternate
0.4 mi·41 sec·Athens Highway
Use the right lane.
36
Turn right onto Wyatt Street
75 ft·4 sec·Wyatt Street
37
Turn right onto Peppers Street
90 ft·3 sec·Peppers Street
38
Arrive at destination
Peppers Street
Trip Plan
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 115.8 miles from Savannah, GA, or about 2h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42 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 51 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.8 miles or 2h 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arcade, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Savannah, 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 Savannah, GA
This is one driving day of about 231.6 miles and 4h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Savannah, 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 US 78 for about 42 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 115.8 mi from Savannah, GA
· 2h 31m into the drive
The midpoint is around 115.8 miles from Savannah, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Arcade, GA
The final approach into Arcade, 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 Arcade, GA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Fort Pulaski National Monument
National Monument
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.22 one way
$72.43 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg81 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$39.60
$79.20
premium
$4.70
$42.86
$85.73
diesel
$5.61
$51.13
$102.27
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
69.5
0
$24.32
$11.12
Efficient EV
57.9
0
$20.26
$9.26
EV Truck/SUV
92.6
1
$32.42
$14.82
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 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
Savannah, GA
Late night
in Savannah on Saturday
Local time
2:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Arcade, GA
Late night
in Arcade on Saturday
Local time
2:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°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
8 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
4h 53m 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 Savannah, GA to Arcade, GA covers 231.6 miles and takes about 4h 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 78, GA 21, Carl Sanders Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 115.8 miles from Savannah, GA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $36.22 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 24 significant decision points across 231.6 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 123.5 miles (I 520 / Bobby Jones Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 124.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 215 miles (US 129; US 441; 10 Loop; 15 / Outer Loop 10): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Savannah, GA and Arcade, GA, road signs point toward Lexington, Washington and Jefferson.
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.
