This 252.1-mile journey from Savannah to Clarkston, Georgia, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 4 hours and 37 minutes. You'll primarily be on major highways, with a 94% highway share, making it a focused driving experience. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $39, which is quite reasonable for the distance covered. Given its manageable length and highway-centric profile, this route is well-suited as a straightforward day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. This drive stays within the Southeast region, offering a consistent regional feel throughout.
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
126.1 miles from Savannah, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 17m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 37m. Total distance: 252.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a largely highway-focused drive for this 252.1-mile trip. The majority of your travel will be on the interstate, specifically I-75 and the Atlanta Bypass, also known as The Perimeter. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 162.1 miles on the Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway, which sets a consistent pace for a significant portion of the journey. With a 94% highway share, this route prioritizes efficient travel over winding scenic byways, so be prepared for a steady, high-speed experience for most of the drive.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 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.
Driving Effort9/10
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 18 significant decision points across 252.1 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 675 / Terrell Starr Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 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
9
228.6 mi into trip|~4h 8m in|I 675 / Terrell Starr Parkway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 675 / Terrell Starr Parkway toward I 675 North: Augusta, Greenville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 227
Toward I 675 North: Augusta, Greenville
8
238.8 mi into trip|~4h 20m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 285 East: Augusta, Greenville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 285 East: Augusta, Greenville
8
251.2 mi into trip|~4h 35m in
Take the exit toward Church Street, Clarkston
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 40
Toward Church Street, Clarkston
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 Savannah, GA to Clarkston, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Greenville along the way.
Greenville
228.6 mi in|~4h 8m|via I 675
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway
162.1 mi
2h 54m
I 75
62.1 mi
1h 7m
Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
11.8 mi
13m
Terrell Starr Parkway
10.1 mi
11m
West Bay Street
1.8 mi
2m
William F. Lynes Parkway
0.8 mi
1m
East Ponce de Leon Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
Fall Line Freeway
0.5 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 Clarkston, 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, SavannahUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward I 16 West: MaconUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 75 North: AtlantaUse the straight / left lanes.
13
Merge onto I 75
62 mi·1 hr 7 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 675
10 mi·11 min·Terrell Starr Parkway
Exit 227Toward I 675 North: Augusta, GreenvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 285 East: Augusta, GreenvilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 285
12 mi·13 min·Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 40Toward Church Street, ClarkstonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn right onto Church Street
0.1 mi·23 sec·Church Street
Use the left / right lanes.
19
Turn left onto Mell Avenue
143 ft·7 sec·Mell Avenue
20
Turn right onto East Ponce de Leon Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·East Ponce de Leon Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Turn right onto Market Street
54 ft·2 sec·Market Street
22
Arrive at destination
Market Street
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour and 37-minute drive, starting your journey in the morning is your best bet to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach the Atlanta area. With only one recommended stop and a 94% highway profile, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch without a major change in road is 162.1 miles. A practical tip for this route is to ensure your GPS is updated for the Atlanta Bypass, as traffic patterns can shift quickly on this busy section.
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 126.1 miles from Savannah, GA, or about 2h 17m 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 55 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126.1 miles or 2h 17m 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clarkston, 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 252.1 miles and 4h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 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 126.1 mi from Savannah, GA
· 2h 17m into the drive
The midpoint is around 126.1 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 Clarkston, GA
The final approach into Clarkston, 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 Clarkston, 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 165.2
Caution: River Trail periodically closed under I-16
Park Closure: BOARDWALK CLOSED along the River Trail
Welcome to Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park & Preservation District where a young boy grows up in a time of segregation. He was moved by destiny to lead the modern civil rights movemen...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 243.4
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...
Today the river valley attracts us for so many reasons. Take a solitary walk to enjoy nature’s display, raft leisurely through the rocky shoals with friends, fish the misty waters as the sun comes up,...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
$5
near mile 252.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.42 one way
$78.85 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg88 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$43.11
$86.21
premium
$4.70
$46.66
$93.32
diesel
$5.61
$55.66
$111.32
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
75.6
0
$26.47
$12.10
Efficient EV
63
0
$22.06
$10.08
EV Truck/SUV
100.8
1
$35.29
$16.13
Gas CO2
88 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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Savannah, GA
Afternoon
in Savannah on Saturday
Local time
12:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Clarkston, GA
Afternoon
in Clarkston on Saturday
Local time
12:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°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 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 37m 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 Clarkston, GA covers 252.1 miles and takes about 4h 37m 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, Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 126.1 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 $39.42 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 18 significant decision points across 252.1 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 675 / Terrell Starr Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Savannah, GA to Clarkston, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Greenville along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park, Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park and Fort Pulaski National Monument. There are 4 parks within detour distance of this route.
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.
