Trip from Savannah, GA to Athens, GA

Drive Time

4h 31m

Distance

214.4 mi

345 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$34

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

4h 18m ★

6 AM

4h 31m

8 AM

4h 58m

10 AM

4h 41m

12 PM

4h 38m

3 PM

4h 42m

5 PM

4h 57m

8 PM

4h 23m

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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Savannah, GA

Dominik Gryzbon

Athens, GA

Efrem Efre

Trip Overview

Traveling from Savannah to Athens covers 214.4 miles through the heart of Georgia, typically taking about 4 hours and 31 minutes of drive time. Because this is a manageable distance, you can easily complete the journey in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $34 on fuel for the trip, making it a relatively affordable excursion across the state. Your path utilizes a mix of roadways including US 78, GA 21, and the Carl Sanders Highway. Whether you are heading to the college town of Athens or leaving the coast for the interior, this route provides a straightforward connection between these two iconic Georgia hubs.

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

107.2 miles from Savannah, GA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 18m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip features a mixed drive profile, blending stretches of highway with more localized road segments. You will spend about 55% of your time on highways, though the character of the road shifts as you transition between major routes and regional connectors. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 42.4-mile segment on US 78, which offers a steady rhythm before the road conditions change. Expect a varied experience behind the wheel that requires shifting focus between faster-paced highway driving and the more measured tempo of secondary roads. It is not an endless interstate grind, but rather a dynamic drive that keeps you engaged as you navigate through the state.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

There are about 33 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 42.4 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 early in the drive near North Fahm Street.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 214.4 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: near the start (North Fahm Street): Navigation decision point; at 2 miles (I 516; GA 21; GA 25 / William F. Lynes Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; 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.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 19 key points

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

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | North Fahm Street

Turn right onto North Fahm Street

Navigation decision point

2 mi into trip | ~3m in | I 516; GA 21; GA 25 / William F. Lynes Parkway

Merge onto I 516; GA 21; GA 25 / William F. Lynes Parkway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

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

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

214.2 mi into trip | ~4h 30m in | North Lumpkin Street

Turn right onto North Lumpkin Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

Towns Along This Route

Between Savannah, GA and Athens, GA, road signs point toward Lexington and Washington.

Lexington

123.5 mi in | ~2h 40m | via I 520

Washington

148.6 mi in | ~3h 8m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US 78	42.4 mi	51m
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 — 42.4 mi, about 51m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on this road

145 ft · 13 sec · this road

Turn right onto North Fahm Street

72 ft · 6 sec · North Fahm Street

Turn right onto West Bay Street

1.7 mi · 2 min · West Bay Street

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 35 sec

Toward I 516 West, GA 21 North

Merge onto I 516; GA 21; GA 25

1.1 mi · 1 min · William F. Lynes Parkway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on GA 21

13 mi · 17 min · Augusta Road

Use the straight lane.

Continue on GA 21; I 3 FUT

42 mi · 48 min · GA 21; I 3 FUT

Use the none lane.

Turn right onto GA 21 Business

1.5 mi · 2 min · South Main Street

Continue on US 301 Business; GA 73; GA 21 Business

1.0 mi · 1 min · North Main Street

Turn slight left onto US 301 Business; GA 73

299 ft · 6 sec · US 301 Business; GA 73

Turn right onto US 301; GA 73 Loop

4.5 mi · 5 min · US 301; GA 73 Loop

Take the exit onto GA 24

5.4 mi · 7 min · GA 24

Turn right onto Millhaven Road

1.9 mi · 2 min · Millhaven Road

Continue on Milhaven Road

1.2 mi · 1 min · Milhaven Road

Turn straight onto Girard Millhaven Road

3.4 mi · 4 min · Girard Millhaven Road

Continue on Millhaven Road

5.6 mi · 7 min · Millhaven Road

Continue on GA 23

19 mi · 26 min · Main Street

At end of road, turn right onto GA 56

14 mi · 19 min · GA 56

Take the ramp onto GA 56

202 ft · 6 sec · Mike Padgett Highway

Take the ramp

0.7 mi · 1 min

Merge onto I 520

7.4 mi · 8 min · Bobby Jones Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 520

0.7 mi · 53 sec · Bobby Jones Expressway

Toward I 20: Atlanta, Lexington Use the straight lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward I 20 West: Atlanta Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Merge onto I 20

24 mi · 25 min · Carl Sanders Highway

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec

Toward US 78, GA 17: Thomson, Washington

Turn right onto GA 17

11 mi · 12 min · Washington Road

Use the none lane.

Continue on US 78; GA 10; GA 17

11 mi · 13 min · Thomson Road

Turn left onto US 78; GA 10

42 mi · 51 min · US 78; GA 10

Use the none lane.

Continue on US 78 BUS; GA 10

0.6 mi · 1 min · Oak Street

Continue on US 78 BUS; GA 10

0.4 mi · 59 sec · Oconee Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn left onto US 78 Business; GA 10

0.2 mi · 44 sec · East Broad Street

Use the none lane.

Turn right onto North Lumpkin Street

0.3 mi · 46 sec · North Lumpkin Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Arrive at destination

North Lumpkin Street

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 4-hour and 31-minute travel time, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the journey. Since the drive is well-suited for a single day, you have the flexibility to leave in the morning and reach your destination by the afternoon. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $34 estimate can fluctuate depending on your vehicle's efficiency and current gas prices. When planning your pace, remember that the 42.4-mile stretch on US 78 is your best opportunity to make consistent progress before navigating the segments leading into Athens. Prioritize your departure time to avoid potential congestion on the mixed road network, ensuring a smoother transition throughout your trip.

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 107.2 miles from Savannah, GA, or about 2h 18m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42.4 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 41m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 107.2 miles or 2h 18m 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 42m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Athens, 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 214.4 miles and 4h 31m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 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 42.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 107.2 mi from Savannah, GA · 2h 18m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

West Columbia, SC

107 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

Mauldin, SC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Boiling Springs, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 107.2 miles from Savannah, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Athens, GA

The final approach into Athens, 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 Athens, 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

$34.31 one way

$68.62 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 75 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.43	$37.38	$74.77
premium	$4.78	$40.33	$80.66
diesel	$5.64	$47.63	$95.26

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$34

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$59–$84

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 75 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	64.3	0	$22.51	$10.29
Efficient EV	53.6	0	$18.76	$8.58
EV Truck/SUV	85.8	1	$30.02	$13.72

Gas CO2

75 kg

EV CO2

25 kg (67% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

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 3 days ago

Origin

Savannah, GA

Evening in Savannah on Sunday

Local time

8:14 PM

EDT

Current temp

65°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Athens, GA

Evening in Athens on Sunday

Local time

8:14 PM

EDT

Current temp

89°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

24 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 31m 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 Athens, GA covers 214.4 miles and takes about 4h 31m 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 107.2 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 $34.31 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.

Between Savannah, GA and Athens, GA, road signs point toward Lexington and Washington.

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Return Trip

Athens, GA to Savannah, GA

Plan the drive back the other way.

216 mi 4h 30m

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Trip from Savannah, GA to Athens, GA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Athens, GA

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Savannah, GA

Athens, GA

Same local time

24 degrees warmer at arrival

4h 31m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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