This 281.5-mile journey from Clayton, GA to Savannah, GA is a substantial drive, estimated to take around 5 hours and 57 minutes. Primarily utilizing GA 17 and Savannah Highway, this route offers a mixed driving experience across Georgia's Southeast region. With a fuel cost estimated at $44, it's manageable for a single day trip, though you might consider an overnight if you prefer a more relaxed pace. The drive transitions from the mountainous terrain of the north to the coastal plains, offering a varied landscape as you head towards Savannah.
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
140.8 miles from Clayton, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
GA 17
44.3 mi
53m
Savannah Highway
38.3 mi
44m
GA 24
28.8 mi
41m
Carl Sanders Highway
23.6 mi
25m
US 78
22.5 mi
27m
Peach Orchard Road
21.4 mi
25m
US 23
20.6 mi
27m
North Columbia Avenue
13.4 mi
16m
Longest stretch:
GA 17
— 44.3 mi, about 53m
Traffic on I-520
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 14 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~3,973 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~199 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
20×
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 Clayton, GA and Savannah, GA.
1
Start on South Main Street
74 ft·5 sec·South Main Street
2
Turn right onto US 76; GA 2
0.2 mi·44 sec·East Savannah Street
3
Turn right onto US 23; US 76; US 441; GA 2; GA 15
2.1 mi·3 min·Highway 441 South
4
Continue on US 23; US 441; GA 15
11 mi·16 min·US 23; US 441; GA 15
5
Keep slight left at fork onto US 23; US 441; GA 15
2.1 mi·2 min·US 23; US 441; GA 15
6
Keep slight left at fork onto US 23; US 441; GA 15
0.9 mi·1 min·US 23; US 441; GA 15
7
Keep slight left at fork onto US 23; US 441; GA 15
6.2 mi·7 min·US 23; US 441; GA 15
8
Turn left onto GA 17
0.2 mi·24 sec·Toccoa Highway
9
Turn left onto US 123; GA 17; GA 365
11 mi·13 min·US 123; GA 17; GA 365
10
Turn right onto GA 17
25 mi·31 min·GA 17
11
Turn left onto GA 17
2.4 mi·2 min·GA 17
12
At end of road, turn left onto GA 17
17 mi·19 min·GA 17
13
Turn right onto GA 72
528 ft·6 sec·Athens Highway
14
Continue on SR 17; SR 72
1.2 mi·1 min·College Avenue
15
Continue on GA 17; GA 72
0.7 mi·47 sec·Elbert Street
16
Continue on GA 17; GA 72
0.1 mi·7 sec·Heard Street
17
Continue on GA 17; GA 72
1.3 mi·2 min·Elbert Street
18
Continue on GA 17
9.6 mi·13 min·Washington Highway
19
Continue on GA 17
6.8 mi·9 min·Elberton Highway
20
Continue on GA 17
1.8 mi·2 min·North Hulin Avenue
21
Continue on GA 17
7.4 mi·10 min·Tignall Road
22
Continue on GA 17 BUS
0.9 mi·1 min·Tignall Road
23
Turn left onto US 78; GA 10
0.6 mi·42 sec·US 78; GA 10
24
Turn right onto US 78; GA 10; GA 17
22 mi·27 min·US 78; GA 10; GA 17
Use the straight lane.
25
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward I-20 East: AugustaUse the left lane.
26
Merge onto I 20
24 mi·25 min·Carl Sanders Highway
Use the straight lane.
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 520 East, GA 232Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 520 East
29
Continue on I 520
6.7 mi·7 min·Bobby Jones Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward US 25, GA 121
31
Turn right onto US 25; GA 121; I 3 FUT
4.3 mi·5 min·Peach Orchard Road
32
Continue on US 25; GA 121; I 3 FUT
0.3 mi·21 sec·Nellie Drive
33
Continue on US 25; GA 121; I 3 FUT
17 mi·20 min·Peach Orchard Road
34
Turn right onto US 25; GA 121
2.7 mi·4 min·Liberty Street
35
Continue on GA 24
28 mi·40 min·GA 24
36
Take the ramp onto GA 24
0.3 mi·39 sec·GA 24
37
Merge onto US 301; GA 24; GA 73
4.4 mi·5 min·Burton's Ferry Highway
38
Turn left onto US 301 Business; GA 73
2.6 mi·3 min·US 301 Business; GA 73
39
At end of road, turn left onto GA 21; I 3 FUT
0.3 mi·26 sec·Perimeter Road
40
Continue on GA 21; I 3 FUT
38 mi·44 min·Savannah Highway
Use the straight lane.
41
Continue on GA 21; I 3 FUT
0.1 mi·7 sec·Augusta Highway
42
Continue on GA 21; I 3 FUT
13 mi·16 min·North Columbia Avenue
Use the straight lane.
43
Turn left onto GA 307; Alternate GA 21
1.1 mi·1 min·Bourne Avenue
Use the left lane.
44
Turn right onto GA 25
2.2 mi·3 min·Main Street
45
At end of road, turn left onto US 80; GA 26
465 ft·7 sec·Main Street
46
Continue on US 80; GA 26
2.5 mi·4 min·West Bay Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
47
Turn left
117 ft·11 sec
48
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour, 57-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Clayton to maximize daylight hours and minimize traffic. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your journey. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer stretches on GA 17, as services can be spaced out. The estimated fuel cost of $44 is a helpful budget point, but always factor in a buffer for unexpected needs or local price variations. This drive is well-suited for a single day, but if you wish to explore along the way, an overnight stop could be beneficial.
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 140.8 miles from Clayton, GA, or about 2h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 44.3 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 62 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 140.8 miles or 2h 59m 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 54m
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 Clayton, 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 Clayton, GA
This is one driving day of about 281.5 miles and 5h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Clayton, 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 GA 17 for about 44.3 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 61.8 and 155.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
61.8 mi into trip|~1h 19m in|GA 17
At end of road, turn left onto GA 17
Navigation decision point
5
109.4 mi into trip|~2h 22m in|US 78; GA 10; GA 17
Turn right onto US 78; GA 10; GA 17
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
131.3 mi into trip|~2h 49m in
Take the ramp toward I-20 East: Augusta
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I-20 East: Augusta
5
131.6 mi into trip|~2h 50m in|I 20 / Carl Sanders Highway
Merge onto I 20 / Carl Sanders Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
155.2 mi into trip|~3h 15m in
Take the exit toward I 520 East, GA 232
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.
Toward I 520 East, GA 232
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.56 one way
$83.12 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg99 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$45.67
$91.34
premium
$4.49
$49.78
$99.57
diesel
$4.80
$53.15
$106.31
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
EV Charging Along Route
32 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Augusta, GA - Robert C Daniel Jr Parkway - Tesla Supercharger
Augusta, GA
Tesla
16 DCFC
Augusta, GA - Jimmie Dyess Parkway - Tesla Supercharger
Augusta, GA
Tesla
12 DCFC
Pooler, GA - 907 US-80 - Tesla Supercharger
Pooler, GA
Tesla
11 DCFC
Augusta, GA - Belair Frontage Road - Tesla Supercharger
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
84.5
1
$29.56
$13.51
Efficient EV
70.4
0
$24.63
$11.26
EV Truck/SUV
112.6
1
$39.41
$18.02
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Clayton, GA
Morning
in Clayton on Sunday
Local time
10:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
WNW 3 mph60% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Savannah, GA
Morning
in Savannah on Sunday
Local time
10:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
93°F
Sunny
S 7 to 13 mph3% chanceLive forecast
89°F
Washington, GA
141 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 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 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.
Fort Pulaski National Monument
National Monument
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 281.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a dynamic drive on this route, with 49% of it being highway driving. While there are some faster stretches, the road also incorporates more local roads, creating a mixed driving profile. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 44.3 miles on GA 17, providing a good opportunity to settle in. As you progress towards Savannah, the scenery will likely shift from the rolling hills of North Georgia to the flatter terrain characteristic of the Lowcountry.
49% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
48 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 44.3 mi on GA 17.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 61.8 miles in near GA 17.
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 25 significant decision points across 281.5 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 61.8 miles (GA 17): Navigation decision point; at 109.4 miles (US 78; GA 10; GA 17): Lane positioning matters here; at 131.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Clayton is a city in the very north-east corner of Georgia. It is the county seat of Rabun County. It is home to about 2,000 people (census, 1 April 2020)
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.
Top landmarks
•Fort Pulaski National Monument — national monument in the United States
•Congregation Mickve Israel — synagogue in Savannah, Georgia, USA
•Casimir Pulaski Monument — monument in Savannah, Georgia, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 57m. Total distance: 281.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 44.3 miles on GA 17. 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 61.8 miles (GA 17): Navigation decision point; at 109.4 miles (US 78; GA 10; GA 17): Lane positioning matters here; at 131.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Fort Pulaski National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 11.9 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.
