Traveling from Canton to Savannah spans 288.3 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 21 minutes of driving time. Because this route is a straightforward, highway-focused drive, it is perfectly manageable as a one-day trip for most drivers. You should budget approximately $46 for fuel to complete the journey. The path takes you across the Georgia landscape, moving from the northern interior toward the coast. While you could certainly extend the trip, the direct nature of the roads makes it an efficient transit rather than a multi-day expedition. It is a practical choice if you want to swap the hills of Canton for the historic atmosphere of Savannah in a single sitting.
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
144.2 miles from Canton, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 43m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 16
164.2 mi
2h 57m
I 75
77.1 mi
1h 25m
Phillip Landrum Memorial Highway
17.9 mi
19m
Larry McDonald Memorial Highway
10.3 mi
11m
Horace E Tate Freeway
7.3 mi
8m
Downtown Connector
5 mi
6m
James Wendell George Parkway
2.3 mi
3m
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 Canton, GA and Savannah, GA.
1
Start on East Main Street
275 ft·7 sec·East Main Street
2
Turn right onto East Marietta Street
316 ft·16 sec·East Marietta Street
3
Turn right onto Archer Street
307 ft·15 sec·Archer Street
4
Turn slight left onto West Marietta Street
0.4 mi·55 sec·West Marietta Street
5
Continue on Marietta Road
0.2 mi·33 sec·Marietta Road
6
Turn left onto Hickory Flat Highway
0.5 mi·1 min·Hickory Flat Highway
7
Take the ramp onto GA 140
0.2 mi·23 sec·GA 140
Toward I 575 South, GA 5 South, GA 20 West, GA 140 West: Atlanta
8
Merge onto I 575; GA 5; GA 20; GA 140
7.0 mi·7 min·Phillip Landrum Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 575; GA 5
11 mi·11 min·Phillip Landrum Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
10
Merge onto I 75; GA 5
10 mi·11 min·Larry McDonald Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on I 75
7.3 mi·8 min·Horace E Tate Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 75; I 85
5.0 mi·6 min·Downtown Connector
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 75; I 85
2.3 mi·3 min·James Wendell George Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
65 mi·1 hr 11 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
12 mi·13 min·I 75
Toward Macon, SavannahUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
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.
20
Turn left onto Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
0.8 mi·2 min·Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
21
Turn left onto GA 25 Connector
0.2 mi·21 sec·West Bay Street
22
Turn uturn
117 ft·11 sec
23
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To keep your drive smooth, aim for a single well-timed stop to break up the 5-hour and 21-minute duration. Since you have a long, 164.2-mile stretch on I-16, ensure you have enough fuel before merging onto that corridor to avoid any mid-stretch anxiety. Leaving early in the morning is generally your best bet to avoid potential traffic congestion near major interchanges along I-75. Because the route is highway-heavy, keep a close eye on your cruise control settings and remain alert during the long interstate segments. Embracing the one-day schedule gives you maximum flexibility to arrive in Savannah with plenty of time to settle in.
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 144.2 miles from Canton, GA, or about 2h 43m 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 63 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 144.2 miles or 2h 43m 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 23m
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 Canton, 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 Canton, GA
This is one driving day of about 288.3 miles and 5h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Canton, 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 8.4 and 288.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
8.4 mi into trip|~11m in|I 575; GA 5 / Phillip Landrum Memorial Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 575; GA 5 / Phillip Landrum Memorial Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8
109.1 mi into trip|~2h 5m 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
121.3 mi into trip|~2h 18m 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
287.2 mi into trip|~5h 18m 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
7
288.3 mi into trip|~5h 21m in
Turn uturn
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.08 one way
$90.17 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg101 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$49.29
$98.59
premium
$4.70
$53.36
$106.72
diesel
$5.61
$63.65
$127.31
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
86.5
1
$30.27
$13.84
Efficient EV
72.1
0
$25.23
$11.53
EV Truck/SUV
115.3
1
$40.36
$18.45
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 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 Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Canton, GA
Night
in Canton on Saturday
Local time
9:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Savannah, GA
Night
in Savannah on Saturday
Local time
9:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Jackson, GA
144 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
4 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
5h 21m 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...
5 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 129.3
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 288.3
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?
Expect a trip dominated by high-speed transit, as 87% of your journey is spent on major highways. You will navigate a combination of the Phillip Landrum Memorial Highway, I-75, and I-16 to reach your destination. The drive settles into a rhythm quickly, featuring a significant 164.2-mile uninterrupted stretch along I-16. While the first portion of the drive involves transitioning through local infrastructure, the bulk of your time behind the wheel will be spent on consistent interstate travel. The route offers a steady pace that allows you to cover ground quickly without the technical demands of winding backroads.
87% 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: 164.2 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 8.4 miles in near I 575; GA 5 / Phillip Landrum Memorial Highway.
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 288.3 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 8.4 miles (I 575; GA 5 / Phillip Landrum Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 109.1 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 121.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
On the drive from Canton, GA to Savannah, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Macon along the way.
Macon
109.1 mi in|~2h 5m|via I 75
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 21m. Total distance: 288.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). 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 8.4 miles (I 575; GA 5 / Phillip Landrum Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 109.1 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 121.3 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 Fort Pulaski National Monument (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Savannah, GA before the return drive.
