Brookhaven, GA to Pooler, GA is 252.4 miles and takes about 4h 43m via I-75 and I-16, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, entirely within Georgia. Expect a largely straightforward drive, making it a good candidate for a single-day trip. You'll encounter most of your mileage on major interstates, so plan for typical interstate conditions. The relatively short distance and clear route make it manageable for most drivers.
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
126.2 miles from Brookhaven, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 25m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 16
156.2 mi
2h 47m
I 75
77.1 mi
1h 25m
Downtown Connector
5 mi
6m
I 95
2.4 mi
2m
James Wendell George Parkway
2.3 mi
3m
North Druid Hills Road
1.9 mi
3m
Buford-Spring Connector
1.8 mi
2m
Northeast Expressway
1.2 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 16
— 156.2 mi, about 2h 47m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 280 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~5,640 veh/hr typical
· worst 6,598
Quietest
2 AM
~925 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 Brookhaven, GA and Pooler, GA.
1
Start on this road
397 ft·34 sec·this road
2
Turn left
63 ft·9 sec
3
Turn left
139 ft·12 sec
4
Turn right onto GA 141
432 ft·10 sec·Peachtree Road Northeast
5
Turn right onto Dresden Drive Northeast
195 ft·10 sec·Dresden Drive Northeast
6
Take the ramp
176 ft·12 sec
7
Turn sharp left onto GA 141
0.2 mi·25 sec·Peachtree Road Northeast
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Turn left onto North Druid Hills Road
1.9 mi·3 min·North Druid Hills Road
Use the left lane.
9
Turn right onto GA 13
1.2 mi·2 min·Buford Highway
10
Continue on GA 13
1.8 mi·2 min·Buford-Spring Connector
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi·59 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 85
1.2 mi·1 min·Northeast Expressway
13
Continue on I 75; I 85
5.0 mi·6 min·Downtown Connector
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 75; I 85
2.3 mi·3 min·James Wendell George Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
65 mi·1 hr 11 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
12 mi·13 min·I 75
Toward Macon, SavannahUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
1.1 mi·1 min
Exit 165Toward I 16 East: Jim Gillis Highway, SavannahUse the slight right lane.
18
Continue on I 16
156 mi·2 hr 47 min·I 16
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·57 sec
Toward I 95 North: Airport, Florence SCUse the slight right lane.
20
Merge onto I 95
2.4 mi·2 min·I 95
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Exit 102Toward US 80: Pooler, Garden CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn left onto US 80; GA 26
0.6 mi·1 min·US Highway 80 East
23
Arrive at destination
US 80; GA 26
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 43m estimated drive time, leaving Brookhaven in the morning should allow you to reach Pooler with ample daylight. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in how you pace your journey. Consider stopping around the halfway mark or when you feel the need to stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before embarking on the 156.2-mile segment on I-16, as services can be more spread out on longer interstate stretches. Your fuel cost is estimated at $40, so factor that into your budget.
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 126.2 miles from Brookhaven, GA, or about 2h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 156.2 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 56 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126.2 miles or 2h 25m 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 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pooler, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Brookhaven, 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 Brookhaven, GA
This is one driving day of about 252.4 miles and 4h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Brookhaven, 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 156.2 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 0.3 and 251.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in|GA 141 / Peachtree Road Northeast
Turn sharp left onto GA 141 / Peachtree Road Northeast
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
79.2 mi into trip|~1h 34m 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
91.5 mi into trip|~1h 48m 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
7
248.7 mi into trip|~4h 37m in
Take the exit toward I 95 North: Airport, Florence SC
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 95 North: Airport, Florence SC
8
251.4 mi into trip|~4h 41m in
Take the exit toward US 80: Pooler, Garden City
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 102
Toward US 80: Pooler, Garden City
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.67 one way
$77.35 round trip
$3.89/gal25.4 MPG avg88 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.27
$42.44
$84.88
premium
$4.64
$46.08
$92.16
diesel
$5.60
$55.64
$111.27
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: 88.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
75.7
0
$26.50
$12.12
Efficient EV
63.1
0
$22.09
$10.10
EV Truck/SUV
101
1
$35.34
$16.15
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% 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 Sep 2, 2026
Origin
Brookhaven, GA
Afternoon
in Brookhaven on Friday
Local time
3:28 PM
EDT
Current temp
97°F
Sunny
NE 0 to 5 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued September 2 at 4:16AM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued September 2 at 12:57AM EDT until September 2 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Peachtree City GA
Destination
Pooler, GA
Afternoon
in Pooler on Friday
Local time
3:28 PM
EDT
Current temp
92°F
Areas Of Fog then Partly Sunny
NE 2 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued September 2 at 4:16AM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued September 2 at 12:57AM EDT until September 2 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Peachtree City GA
71°F
Jackson, GA
126 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
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 43m 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.
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...
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...
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,...
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...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
$10
near mile 252.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is almost entirely on highways, with 95% of the route utilizing major interstates like I-75 and I-16. You'll experience a significant stretch of 156.2 miles on I-16, which will likely feel like a consistent cruising segment. The transition from interstates to surface roads will occur near your destination in Pooler. Be prepared for the dense network of exits and potential traffic as you approach urban and suburban areas.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 156.2 mi on I 16.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 0.3 miles in near GA 141 / Peachtree Road Northeast.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 252.4 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 0.3 miles (GA 141 / Peachtree Road Northeast): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 79.2 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 91.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
974 ft21 ft
Total Climb
124 ft
Total Descent
1,077 ft
Highest Point
974 ft
Elevation Range
953 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Brookhaven, GA and Pooler, GA, road signs point toward Macon and Savannah.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 43m. Total distance: 252.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 156.2 miles on I 16. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 23 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 Pooler, 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 23 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (GA 141 / Peachtree Road Northeast): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 79.2 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 91.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park and Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Pooler, GA, but most travelers stay overnight.
