Origin
Savannah, GA
Evening in Savannah on Sunday
Local time
8:14 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive 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
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Savannah, GA
Dominik Gryzbon
Atlanta, GA
Kelly
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 .
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.
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.
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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
Keep slight right at fork toward I 16 West: Macon
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
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
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
On the drive from Savannah, GA to Atlanta, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Birmingham along the way.
Birmingham
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Savannah, GA and Atlanta, GA.
Start on this road
Turn right onto North Fahm Street
Turn right onto West Bay Street
Turn left onto US 80; GA 25 Connector; GA 26
Continue on US 80; GA 25 Connector; GA 26
Take the ramp onto US 80; GA 25 Connector; GA 26
Merge onto I 516; US 80; GA 21; GA 25; GA 26
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 16
Continue on I 16; GA 540
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn right onto Fulton Street Southwest
Turn left onto Capitol Avenue Southeast
Arrive at destination
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.
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.
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.
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
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
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 checkTop up before Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 162.1 miles.
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.
Regular Gas
$39.72 one way
$79.44 round trip
| 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Savannah on Sunday
Local time
8:14 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Atlanta on Sunday
Local time
8:14 PM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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