Alpharetta, GA to Saint Simons Island, GA is 339.1 miles and takes about 6h 24m via I-75, I-16, and I-95, with a fuel budget near $53 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you from the northern part of Georgia to its southeastern coast, moving through the heart of the state on major interstates. Expect a fairly direct and efficient journey, ideal for a single-day trip when you want to get to your destination with minimal fuss. Given the relatively short duration and straightforward path, it’s a good option for a quick getaway or a convenient transit day.
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
169.5 miles from Alpharetta, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 12m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 16
155.9 mi
2h 47m
I 75
77.1 mi
1h 25m
I 95
60 mi
1h 4m
Turner McDonald Parkway
11 mi
13m
T Harvey Mathis Parkway
6.8 mi
8m
Downtown Connector
5 mi
6m
Golden Isles Parkway
4.7 mi
7m
Northeast Expressway
2.9 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 16
— 155.9 mi, about 2h 47m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 139 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~5,725 veh/hr typical
· worst 6,618
Quietest
2 AM
~939 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alpharetta, GA and Saint Simons Island, GA.
1
Start on Academy Street
139 ft·11 sec·Academy Street
2
Turn left onto GA 9
0.3 mi·31 sec·South Main Street
Use the left lane.
3
Turn left onto GA 120
0.2 mi·24 sec·Old Milton Parkway
Use the left lane.
4
Turn right onto Haynes Bridge Road
1.1 mi·1 min·Haynes Bridge Road
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward US 19 South, GA 400 SouthUse the right lane.
6
Merge onto US 19; GA 400
11 mi·13 min·Turner McDonald Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on GA 400
6.8 mi·8 min·T Harvey Mathis Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 85
2.9 mi·4 min·Northeast Expressway
9
Continue on I 75; I 85
5.0 mi·6 min·Downtown Connector
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 75; I 85
2.3 mi·3 min·James Wendell George Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
65 mi·1 hr 11 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
12 mi·13 min·I 75
Toward Macon, SavannahUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
1.1 mi·1 min
Exit 165Toward I 16 East: Jim Gillis Highway, SavannahUse the slight right lane.
14
Continue on I 16
156 mi·2 hr 47 min·I 16
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi·31 sec
Toward I 95 South: Brunswick, Jacksonville
16
Merge onto I 95
60 mi·1 hr 4 min·I 95
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·55 sec
Exit 38Toward US 17, GA 25 Spur: Brunswick, Veterans Memorial, North Golden Isles Parkway
18
Turn left onto GA 25 Spur
4.7 mi·7 min·Golden Isles Parkway
Use the straight / left lanes.
19
Continue on US 17; GA 25
1.5 mi·2 min·Glynn Avenue
20
Turn left onto Fernando Joseph Torras Causeway
2.0 mi·3 min·Fernando Joseph Torras Causeway
21
Continue on F. J. Torras Causeway
2.3 mi·3 min·F. J. Torras Causeway
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·14 sec
23
Continue on Sea Island Road
0.2 mi·17 sec·Sea Island Road
24
Turn right
0.1 mi·20 sec
25
Continue on Demere Road
1.0 mi·1 min·Demere Road
26
Enter roundabout onto Demere Road
114 ft·2 sec·Demere Road
27
Continue on Demere Road
1.0 mi·1 min·Demere Road
28
Enter roundabout onto East Beach Causeway
194 ft·3 sec·East Beach Causeway
29
Continue on East Beach Causeway
0.4 mi·59 sec·East Beach Causeway
30
Enter roundabout onto 1st Street
88 ft·2 sec·1st Street
31
Continue on 1st Street
353 ft·19 sec·1st Street
32
Turn left onto Bruce Drive
0.4 mi·1 min·Bruce Drive
33
Turn right onto 8th Street
137 ft·6 sec·8th Street
34
Arrive at destination
8th Street
Trip Plan
For this 6-hour drive, departing Alpharetta in the morning will allow you to arrive on Saint Simons Island with ample time to settle in. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $53, you have flexibility in how you pace yourself. Consider making your primary stop around the halfway point to break up the 155.9-mile stretch on I-16. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach your destination, to avoid any last-minute detours for gas on the island.
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 169.5 miles from Alpharetta, GA, or about 3h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 155.9 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 75 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 169.5 miles or 3h 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint Simons Island, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Alpharetta, 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 Alpharetta, GA
This is one driving day of about 339.1 miles and 6h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 miles from Alpharetta, 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 I 16 for about 155.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 107.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|GA 9 / South Main Street
Turn left onto GA 9 / South Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
1.6 mi into trip|~3m in
Take the ramp toward US 19 South, GA 400 South
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward US 19 South, GA 400 South
6
30.2 mi into trip|~39m in|I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
95 mi into trip|~1h 51m in|I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward Macon, Savannah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Macon, Savannah
8
107.2 mi into trip|~2h 4m in
Take the exit toward I 16 East: Jim Gillis Highway, 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.
Exit 165
Toward I 16 East: Jim Gillis Highway, Savannah
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$53.94 one way
$107.87 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg119 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$58.81
$117.62
premium
$4.78
$63.80
$127.60
diesel
$5.35
$71.42
$142.85
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 118.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
101.7
1
$35.61
$16.28
Efficient EV
84.8
0
$29.67
$13.56
EV Truck/SUV
135.6
1
$47.47
$21.70
Gas CO2
119 kg
EV CO2
40 kg (66% 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 as of Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Alpharetta, GA
Afternoon
in Alpharetta on Wednesday
Local time
4:07 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Mostly Cloudy
0 mph12% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Saint Simons Island, GA
Afternoon
in Saint Simons Island on Wednesday
Local time
4:07 PM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Cloudy
W 8 mph13% chanceLive 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
12 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
6h 24m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
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,...
War was imminent as James Oglethorpe established Fort Frederica in 1736, to help protect the British colonies from the Spanish in Florida. Fort Frederica illustrates the story of the War of Jenkins Ea...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 339.1
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 105.2
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...
20 mi from route
~51 min detour
$10
near mile 268.9
St Marys is the gateway to Cumberland Island, Georgia's largest and southernmost barrier island. Here pristine maritime forests, undeveloped beaches and wide marshes whisper the stories of both man an...
21 mi from route
~52 min detour
$15
near mile 339.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 95% of the route utilizing major interstates like I-75, I-16, and I-95. You'll experience long stretches of consistent driving, including a significant 155.9-mile segment on I-16. The character of the drive is largely about covering ground efficiently, with the landscape being typical of the Southeast's interstate corridors. While not a winding scenic route, it offers a predictable and smooth path for most of the journey, making it easy to maintain a steady pace.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 155.9 mi on I 16.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 16 and I 75. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near GA 9 / South Main Street.
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 21 significant decision points across 339.1 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: near the start (GA 9 / South Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.2 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,134 ft7 ft
Total Climb
24 ft
Total Descent
1,151 ft
Highest Point
1,134 ft
Elevation Range
1,127 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Alpharetta, GA and Saint Simons Island, GA, road signs point toward Macon, Savannah and Jacksonville.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 24m. Total distance: 339.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 24m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 155.9 miles on I 16. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 29 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Saint Simons Island, GA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 29 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (GA 9 / South Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.2 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area and Fort Frederica National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Saint Simons Island, GA before the return drive.
