Trip from Savannah, GA to Ellijay, GA

Drive Time

6h 4m

Distance

325.9 mi

525 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$52

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

5h 52m ★

6 AM

6h 5m

8 AM

6h 31m

10 AM

6h 14m

12 PM

6h 11m

3 PM

6h 15m

5 PM

6h 29m

8 PM

5h 57m

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

Ellijay, GA

Thomas K

Trip Overview

The drive from Savannah, GA to Ellijay, GA covers 325.9 miles and takes about 6h 4m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway, I 75, APD Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 162.1 miles on Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $52.16 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

163 miles from Savannah, GA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 57m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 6h 4m highway drive covering 325.9 miles, with most of the trip on Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway and I 75. The longest continuous stretch is about 162.1 miles on Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway.

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

There are about 23 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.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

1,283 ft 129 ft

Total Climb

1,326 ft

Total Descent

172 ft

Highest Point

1,283 ft

~325.9 mi in

Elevation Range

1,154 ft

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 16 significant decision points across 325.9 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 16 key points

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

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

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

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 straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 75 North: Atlanta, Birmingham

251.4 mi into trip | ~4h 37m in | I 75 / Horace E Tate Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 75 / Horace E Tate Freeway toward I 75 North: Marietta, Chattanooga

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 75 North: Marietta, Chattanooga

269.2 mi into trip | ~4h 58m in | I 575; GA 5 / Phillip Landrum Memorial Highway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 575; GA 5 / Phillip Landrum Memorial Highway toward I 575 North, GA 5 North: Canton

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 268 Toward I 575 North, GA 5 North: Canton

Towns Along This Route

Between Savannah, GA and Ellijay, GA, road signs point toward Birmingham and Chattanooga.

Birmingham

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

Chattanooga

251.4 mi in | ~4h 37m | via I 75

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway	162.1 mi	2h 54m
I 75	84.9 mi	1h 35m
APD Highway	24.8 mi	30m
Phillip Landrum Memorial Highway	24.2 mi	25m
Larry McDonald Memorial Highway	10.5 mi	12m
Horace E Tate Freeway	7.2 mi	8m
A P D Highway	6.7 mi	7m
West Bay Street	1.8 mi	2m

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 Ellijay, 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

1.8 mi · 2 min · West Bay Street

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

360 ft · 7 sec · Collins Street

Use the straight / left lanes.

Continue on US 80; GA 25 Connector; GA 26

455 ft · 9 sec · Augusta Avenue

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

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

0.8 mi · 1 min · William F. Lynes Parkway

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 19 sec

Toward I 16, US 17 North: Macon, Savannah Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 21 sec

Toward I 16 West: Macon Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 16

162 mi · 2 hr 54 min · Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 16; GA 540

0.5 mi · 39 sec · Fall Line Freeway

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 42 sec

Toward I 75 North: Atlanta Use the straight / left lanes.

Merge onto I 75

62 mi · 1 hr 7 min · I 75

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75

23 mi · 28 min · I 75

Toward I 75 North: Atlanta, Birmingham Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 75

7.2 mi · 8 min · Horace E Tate Freeway

Toward I 75 North: Marietta, Chattanooga Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 75

11 mi · 12 min · Larry McDonald Memorial Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 575; GA 5

24 mi · 25 min · Phillip Landrum Memorial Highway

Exit 268 Toward I 575 North, GA 5 North: Canton Use the slight right lane.

Continue on I 575; GA 5

6.7 mi · 7 min · A P D Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on GA 5; GA 515

25 mi · 30 min · APD Highway

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Turn left onto US 76; GA 2

0.1 mi · 17 sec · 1st Avenue

Use the left lane.

At end of road, turn left onto GA 2; GA 52

0.9 mi · 2 min · River Street

Turn right onto North Church Street

43 ft · 1 sec · North Church Street

Arrive at destination

North Church Street

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 163 miles from Savannah, GA, or about 2h 57m 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 163 miles or 2h 57m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 56m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ellijay, 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 325.9 miles and 6h 4m.

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 163 mi from Savannah, GA · 2h 57m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Centre, AL

163 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.

Dadeville, AL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 163 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 Ellijay, GA

The final approach into Ellijay, 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 Ellijay, 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

$52.16 one way

$104.31 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 114 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.43	$56.83	$113.65
premium	$4.78	$61.31	$122.61
diesel	$5.64	$72.40	$144.81

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$52

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$77–$102

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 114 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	97.8	1	$34.22	$15.64
Efficient EV	81.5	0	$28.52	$13.04
EV Truck/SUV	130.4	1	$45.63	$20.86

Gas CO2

114 kg

EV CO2

38 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 16 hours ago

Origin

Savannah, GA

Evening in Savannah on Sunday

Local time

7:02 PM

EDT

Current temp

57°F

Clear

S 1 to 5 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 12 at 1:51AM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC

Rip Current Statement

Rip Current Statement issued April 11 at 11:13PM EDT until April 13 at 5:00AM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL

Destination

Ellijay, GA

Evening in Ellijay on Sunday

Local time

7:02 PM

EDT

Current temp

55°F

Clear

0 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 12 at 1:51AM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC

Rip Current Statement

Rip Current Statement issued April 11 at 11:13PM EDT until April 13 at 5:00AM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL

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

2 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

6h 4m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

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 Ellijay, GA covers 325.9 miles and takes about 6h 4m 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, APD Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 163 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 $52.16 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

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.