Origin
Wilmington Island, GA
Morning in Wilmington Island on Saturday
Local time
9:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Wilmington Island, GA to Gainesville, GA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 7m
Distance
308.1 mi
496 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$48
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 54m
★
6 AM
5h 7m
8 AM
5h 34m
10 AM
5h 17m
12 PM
5h 14m
3 PM
5h 18m
5 PM
5h 33m
8 PM
4h 59m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Wilmington Island, GA
Mark Stebnicki
Gainesville, GA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Wilmington Island, GA to Gainesville, GA covers 308.1 miles and takes about 5h 7m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Wigmore Road, Gloucester Road, Olde Towne Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $48.18 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
154.1 miles from Wilmington Island, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 33m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 7m. Total distance: 308.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 5h 7m drive with frequent turns across 308.1 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 52 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Wigmore Road is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 7m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Wilmington Island, GA to Gainesville, GA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Wigmore Road | — | — |
| Gloucester Road | — | — |
| Olde Towne Road | — | — |
| Penn Waller Road | — | — |
| Johnny Mercer Boulevard | — | — |
| Quarterman Drive | — | — |
| Islands Expressway | — | — |
| East President Street | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Wigmore Road
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wilmington Island, GA and Gainesville, GA.
1
Start on Wigmore Court
463 ft
·
22 sec
·
Wigmore Court
2
Turn right onto Wigmore Road
335 ft
·
16 sec
·
Wigmore Road
3
Turn right onto Gloucester Road
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
Gloucester Road
4
Turn right onto Olde Towne Road
0.3 mi
·
59 sec
·
Olde Towne Road
5
Turn left onto Penn Waller Road
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Penn Waller Road
6
Turn right onto Johnny Mercer Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Johnny Mercer Boulevard
7
Turn left onto Quarterman Drive
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Quarterman Drive
8
Turn left onto Islands Expressway
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Islands Expressway
9
Keep slight right to continue on Islands Expressway
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Islands Expressway
10
Continue on East President Street
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
East President Street
11
Turn right onto General McIntosh Boulevard
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
General McIntosh Boulevard
12
Continue on East Bay Street
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
East Bay Street
13
Take the ramp slight right toward I 516 West, GA 21 North
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
I 516 West, GA 21 North
14
Merge slight left onto William F. Lynes Parkway
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
William F. Lynes Parkway
15
Continue on Augusta Road
13 mi
·
17 min
·
Augusta Road
16
Continue straight
42 mi
·
48 min
17
Turn right onto South Main Street
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
South Main Street
18
Continue on North Main Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
19
Turn slight left
299 ft
·
7 sec
20
Turn right
4.5 mi
·
5 min
21
Take the exit slight left
5.4 mi
·
7 min
22
Turn right onto Millhaven Road
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Millhaven Road
23
Continue on Milhaven Road
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Milhaven Road
24
Turn straight onto Girard Millhaven Road
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Girard Millhaven Road
25
Continue on Millhaven Road
5.6 mi
·
7 min
·
Millhaven Road
26
Continue on Main Street
19 mi
·
26 min
·
Main Street
27
At the end of the road, turn right
14 mi
·
19 min
28
Take the ramp sharp left toward Mike Padgett Highway
203 ft
·
7 sec
·
Mike Padgett Highway
29
Take the ramp slight right
0.7 mi
·
1 min
30
Merge slight left onto Bobby Jones Expressway
7.4 mi
·
8 min
·
Bobby Jones Expressway
31
Keep slight right to continue on Bobby Jones Expressway
0.7 mi
·
53 sec
·
Bobby Jones Expressway
32
Keep slight left to continue on I 20 West: Atlanta
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
I 20 West: Atlanta
33
Merge slight left onto Carl Sanders Highway
24 mi
·
25 min
·
Carl Sanders Highway
34
Take the exit slight right toward US 78, GA 17: Thomson, Washington
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
US 78, GA 17: Thomson, Washington
35
Turn right onto Washington Road
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Washington Road
36
Continue on Thomson Road
11 mi
·
13 min
·
Thomson Road
37
Turn left
42 mi
·
50 min
38
Take the exit right
0.3 mi
·
20 sec
39
Merge slight left onto Outer Loop 10
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Outer Loop 10
40
Take the exit slight right toward US 129, US 441, GA 10 Loop: Commerce, Jefferson
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
US 129, US 441, GA 10 Loop: Commerce, Jefferson
41
Take the exit slight right toward US 129 North: Prince Avenue, Jefferson
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
US 129 North: Prince Avenue, Jefferson
42
Merge slight left onto Jefferson Road
7.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Jefferson Road
43
Continue straight
4.8 mi
·
6 min
44
Continue on Major Damon J. Gause Bypass
3.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Major Damon J. Gause Bypass
45
Continue on Athens Highway
358 ft
·
6 sec
·
Athens Highway
46
Continue on Major Damon J. Gause Bypass
5.7 mi
·
7 min
·
Major Damon J. Gause Bypass
47
Continue straight
15 mi
·
17 min
48
Turn left
82 ft
·
8 sec
49
Turn right
226 ft
·
20 sec
50
Turn left
256 ft
·
23 sec
51
Turn right onto Green Street
148 ft
·
6 sec
·
Green Street
52
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
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 154.1 miles from Wilmington Island, GA, or about 2h 33m into the drive.
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 68 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 154.1 miles or 2h 33m 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 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gainesville, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Wilmington Island, 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 Wilmington Island, GA
This is one driving day of about 308.1 miles and 5h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from Wilmington Island, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 154.1 mi from Wilmington Island, GA · 2h 33m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
154 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 68 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 154.1 miles from Wilmington Island, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Gainesville, GA
The final approach into Gainesville, 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 Gainesville, 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
$48.18 one way
$96.36 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
108 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $52.68 | $105.36 |
| premium | $4.70 | $57.02 | $114.05 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $68.02 | $136.05 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 92.4 | 1 | $32.35 | $14.79 |
| Efficient EV | 77 | 0 | $26.96 | $12.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 123.2 | 1 | $43.13 | $19.72 |
Gas CO2
108 kg
EV CO2
36 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.
Destination
Gainesville, GA
Morning in Gainesville on Saturday
Local time
9:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°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
9 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
5h 7m 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 Wilmington Island, GA to Gainesville, GA covers 308.1 miles and takes about 5h 7m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Wigmore Road, Gloucester Road, Olde Towne Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 154.1 miles from Wilmington Island, GA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $48.18 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 straightforward 5h 7m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Wilmington Island, GA to Gainesville, GA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Wilmington Island, GA to Gainesville, GA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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