Traveling from Austell to Savannah covers 264.8 miles across the heart of Georgia, typically taking about 4 hours and 57 minutes of driving time. Because this route is almost entirely interstate, you can easily complete the journey in a single day, making it a straightforward trek from the northwestern suburbs to the coast. Expect to spend roughly $42 on fuel for the trip. Since both your start and end points are located within the Southeast, you will notice a consistent regional character throughout the drive. Whether you are heading to the coast for a weekend getaway or a quick business trip, the direct nature of this route makes it a simple, no-nonsense commute across the state.
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
132.4 miles from Austell, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 32m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 16
164.2 mi
2h 57m
I 75
77.1 mi
1h 25m
Tom Murphy Freeway
12.2 mi
14m
Thornton Road
2.7 mi
4m
James Wendell George Parkway
2.3 mi
3m
Veterans Memorial Highway Southwest
1.2 mi
2m
Downtown Connector
1 mi
1m
Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
0.8 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 16
— 164.2 mi, about 2h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Austell, GA and Savannah, GA.
1
Start on Love Street
111 ft·10 sec·Love Street
2
Turn left onto US 78; US 278; GA 5; GA 8
1.2 mi·2 min·Veterans Memorial Highway Southwest
Use the right lane.
3
Turn left onto GA 6
2.7 mi·4 min·Thornton Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 20 East: AtlantaUse the right lane.
5
Merge onto I 20
12 mi·14 min·Tom Murphy Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 57Toward I 75 North, I 85 North, I 75 South, I 85 South: Chattanooga, Greenville, Macon, MontgomeryUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 75 South, I 85 South: Macon, MontgomeryUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 75; I 85
1.0 mi·1 min·Downtown Connector
9
Continue on I 75; I 85
2.3 mi·3 min·James Wendell George Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
65 mi·1 hr 11 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
12 mi·13 min·I 75
Toward Macon, SavannahUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
1.1 mi·1 min
Exit 165Toward I 16 East: Jim Gillis Highway, SavannahUse the slight right lane.
Exit 167AToward Martin Luther King Junior BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn left onto Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
0.8 mi·2 min·Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
17
Turn left onto GA 25 Connector
0.2 mi·21 sec·West Bay Street
18
Turn uturn
117 ft·11 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 5-hour journey, plan for at least one strategic stop to break up the long, monotonous stretches of interstate. Leaving early in the morning is your best bet to avoid potential traffic congestion as you depart the Austell area. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during that 164.2-mile stretch on I-16, as you will want to ensure you are topped off before committing to the longest segment of the drive. Because the trip is manageable in one day, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your personal preference for morning or afternoon arrival. Always verify your route through the Tom Murphy Freeway before heading out, as urban traffic patterns can shift quickly.
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 132.4 miles from Austell, GA, or about 2h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 164.2 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 58 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.4 miles or 2h 32m 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 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Savannah, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Austell, 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 Austell, GA
This is one driving day of about 264.8 miles and 4h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Austell, 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 164.2 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 16.7 and 263.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
16.7 mi into trip|~23m in
Take the exit toward I 75 North, I 85 North, I 75 South, I 85 South: Chattanooga, Greenville, Macon, Montgomery
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 57
Toward I 75 North, I 85 North, I 75 South, I 85...
8
16.8 mi into trip|~23m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 75 South, I 85 South: Macon, Montgomery
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 75 South, I 85 South: Macon, Montgomer...
8
85.5 mi into trip|~1h 41m 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
97.8 mi into trip|~1h 54m 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
8
263.7 mi into trip|~4h 54m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 167A
Toward Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.41 one way
$82.82 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$45.28
$90.55
premium
$4.70
$49.01
$98.02
diesel
$5.61
$58.46
$116.93
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.4
0
$27.80
$12.71
Efficient EV
66.2
0
$23.17
$10.59
EV Truck/SUV
105.9
1
$37.07
$16.95
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 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 14, 2026
Origin
Austell, GA
Morning
in Austell on Tuesday
Local time
6:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Savannah, GA
Morning
in Savannah on Tuesday
Local time
6:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Partly Cloudy then Patchy Fog
S 2 to 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
82°F
Jackson, GA
132 mi in
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
20 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 57m 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.
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...
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 100.4
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...
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
$10
near mile 264.8
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,...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 97% of your travel occurring on major interstates like the Tom Murphy Freeway, I-75, and I-16. You should prepare for a consistent interstate experience, as the route is designed for efficiency rather than winding backroads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 164.2-mile run along I-16, which serves as the backbone of the latter half of your trip. Behind the wheel, you can expect a steady pace as you transition from the suburban traffic near Austell onto the high-speed transit corridors that lead toward Savannah. It is a functional, high-speed connection that prioritizes speed and directness over scenic detours.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 164.2 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 around 16.7 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 15 significant decision points across 264.8 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 16.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 85.5 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Austell, GA and Savannah, GA, road signs point toward Greenville, Macon and Montgomery.
Savannah is the fifth largest city in Georgia, at the northern end of the state's coast. It's famous for having one of the largest historic districts in the country.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 57m. Total distance: 264.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 164.2 miles on I 16. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Savannah, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 16.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 85.5 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park, Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park and Fort Pulaski National Monument (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Savannah, GA, but most travelers stay overnight.
