Trip from Savannah, GA to Atlanta, GA

Drive Time

4h 33m

Distance

248.2 mi

399 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$40

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 20m ★
6 AM
4h 34m
8 AM
5h 1m
10 AM
4h 43m
12 PM
4h 40m
3 PM
4h 45m
5 PM
4h 59m
8 PM
4h 26m

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

Downtown Savannah, GA, GA

Savannah, GA

Dominik Gryzbon

Downtown Atlanta, GA, GA

Atlanta, GA

Kelly

Trip Overview

Traveling from Savannah to Atlanta covers 248.2 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 33 minutes. Because this is a highway-focused drive, it works perfectly as a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via West Bay Street, the Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway, and I-75. Budgeting around $40 for fuel should cover your transit across the Georgia landscape. Whether you are heading to the state capital for business or a change of scenery, the route is straightforward and efficient for those staying within the Southeast region.

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

124.1 miles from Savannah, GA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 15m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a high-speed, interstate-heavy journey, as 98% of this trip takes place on highways. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on the Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway, which accounts for 162.1 miles of your travel. This profile leans heavily into a consistent, fast-paced grind rather than a winding backroad experience. Because the road remains focused on major arterial highways, you can anticipate a steady flow of traffic while transitioning from the coast toward the interior of the state. Stay alert, as the high percentage of highway time makes for a predictable yet demanding stretch of driving.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 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 162.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway and I 75. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3 miles in.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 248.2 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 3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 228.6 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

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

7
3 mi into trip | ~5m in

Take the exit toward I 16, US 17 North: Macon, 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. Toward I 16, US 17 North: Macon, Savannah
8
3.2 mi into trip | ~5m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 16 West: Macon

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 16 West: Macon
8
228.6 mi into trip | ~4h 8m in | I 75

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward I 75 North: Atlanta, Birmingham

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the none lane. Toward I 75 North: Atlanta, Birmingham
8
246.9 mi into trip | ~4h 30m in

Take the exit toward Fulton Street, Central Avenue, Georgia State University

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. Exit 246 Toward Fulton Street, Central Avenue, Georgia S...
8
247.1 mi into trip | ~4h 31m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Fulton Street, Zoo Atlanta

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Fulton Street, Zoo Atlanta

Towns Along This Route

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

Birmingham

228.6 mi in | ~4h 8m | via I 75

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway 162.1 mi 2h 54m
I 75 80.3 mi 1h 29m
West Bay Street 1.8 mi 2m
William F. Lynes Parkway 0.8 mi 1m
Fall Line Freeway 0.5 mi <1m
Capitol Avenue Southeast 0.5 mi <1m
Fulton Street Southwest 0.2 mi <1m
US 80 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway — 162.1 mi, about 2h 54m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Savannah, GA and Atlanta, 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

1.8 mi · 2 min · West Bay Street
4

Turn left onto US 80; GA 25 Connector; GA 26

360 ft · 7 sec · Collins Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
5

Continue on US 80; GA 25 Connector; GA 26

455 ft · 9 sec · Augusta Avenue
6

Take the ramp onto US 80; GA 25 Connector; GA 26

0.2 mi · 24 sec · US 80; GA 25 Connector; GA 26
Toward GA 21 South
7

Merge onto I 516; US 80; GA 21; GA 25; GA 26

0.8 mi · 1 min · William F. Lynes Parkway
8

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 19 sec
Toward I 16, US 17 North: Macon, Savannah Use the slight right lane.
9

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 21 sec
Toward I 16 West: Macon Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
10

Merge onto I 16

162 mi · 2 hr 54 min · Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
11

Continue on I 16; GA 540

0.5 mi · 39 sec · Fall Line Freeway
12

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 42 sec
Toward I 75 North: Atlanta Use the straight / left lanes.
13

Merge onto I 75

62 mi · 1 hr 7 min · I 75
Use the none lane.
14

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75

18 mi · 21 min · I 75
Toward I 75 North: Atlanta, Birmingham Use the none lane.
15

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Exit 246 Toward Fulton Street, Central Avenue, Georgia State University Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 59 sec
Toward Fulton Street, Zoo Atlanta Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Turn right onto Fulton Street Southwest

0.2 mi · 27 sec · Fulton Street Southwest
Use the left / right lanes.
18

Turn left onto Capitol Avenue Southeast

0.5 mi · 56 sec · Capitol Avenue Southeast
Use the none lane.
19

Arrive at destination

Capitol Avenue Southeast

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 4-hour and 33-minute drive, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Since the route is manageable in a single day, leaving early in the morning helps you avoid potential congestion as you approach Atlanta. Keep your $40 fuel budget handy and top off your tank before committing to the longest 162.1-mile stretch on the Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so monitor traffic reports closely when you are about two hours out from the city. Taking this proactive approach ensures your arrival in Atlanta is as smooth as possible.

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 124.1 miles from Savannah, GA, or about 2h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 162.1 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 28m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 124.1 miles or 2h 15m 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 41m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Atlanta, 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 248.2 miles and 4h 33m.

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 Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway for about 162.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 124.1 mi from Savannah, GA · 2h 15m into the drive

Downtown Dadeville, AL, AL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Dadeville, AL

124 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

West Columbia, SC

Fuel and coffee

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

Mauldin, SC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 124.1 miles from Savannah, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 162.1 miles.

Arriving in Atlanta, GA

The final approach into Atlanta, 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 Atlanta, 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

$39.72 one way

$79.44 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 87 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.43 $43.28 $86.56
premium $4.78 $46.69 $93.38
diesel $5.64 $55.14 $110.28

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$40

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$65–$90

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 86.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 74.5 0 $26.06 $11.91
Efficient EV 62.1 0 $21.72 $9.93
EV Truck/SUV 99.3 1 $34.75 $15.88

Gas CO2

87 kg

EV CO2

29 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 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

Atlanta, GA

Evening in Atlanta on Sunday

Local time

8:14 PM

EDT

Current temp

90°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

25 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 33m 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 Atlanta, GA covers 248.2 miles and takes about 4h 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway, I 75, West Bay Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 124.1 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 $39.72 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 15 significant decision points across 248.2 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 3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 228.6 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Savannah, GA to Atlanta, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Birmingham along the way.

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Return Trip

Atlanta, GA to Savannah, GA

Plan the drive back the other way.

248.3 mi 4h 34m

Explore more options from Savannah, GA or browse trips ending in Atlanta, GA.

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