Dunwoody, GA to Jesup, GA is 249.1 miles and takes about 5h 6m via I-75 and I-16, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, primarily traversing Georgia. Given its relatively short duration, it's a straightforward drive that can easily be completed in a single day. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making it a predictable and efficient route for getting from point A to point B without significant detours.
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
124.6 miles from Dunwoody, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 16
65.6 mi
1h 10m
I 75
61.6 mi
1h 6m
Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
20.9 mi
24m
GA 29
20.6 mi
26m
Odum Highway
13.1 mi
16m
US 1
12 mi
13m
Golden Isles Highway East
11.6 mi
14m
Cedar Crossing Road
10.4 mi
21m
Longest stretch:
I 16
— 65.6 mi, about 1h 10m
Traffic on I-285
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 93 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~6,200 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~744 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.3×
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 Dunwoody, GA and Jesup, GA.
1
Start on this road
117 ft·10 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto Chamblee Dunwoody Road
1.6 mi·3 min·Chamblee Dunwoody Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Continue on Chamblee Dunwoody Way
0.1 mi·20 sec·Chamblee Dunwoody Way
4
Continue on North Shallowford Road
0.8 mi·2 min·North Shallowford Road
5
Turn left onto Savoy Drive
0.5 mi·1 min·Savoy Drive
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward I 285 East
7
Merge onto I 285
21 mi·24 min·Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit
1.1 mi·2 min
Exit 52Toward I 675 South: MaconUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 675
10 mi·11 min·Terrell Starr Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 75
49 mi·53 min·I 75
Use the straight lane.
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.
13
Continue on I 16
66 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 16
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 67Toward GA 29: Soperton, Vidalia
15
Turn right onto GA 29
21 mi·26 min·GA 29
16
Continue on GA 135
9.2 mi·13 min·GA 135
17
At end of road, turn left onto 135
0.3 mi·32 sec·West Broad Street
18
Turn right onto 135
308 ft·6 sec·135
19
Turn left onto East Broad Street
0.7 mi·1 min·East Broad Street
20
Continue on Cedar Crossing Road
10 mi·21 min·Cedar Crossing Road
21
Turn right onto US 1; GA 4; GA 15
3.7 mi·4 min·US 1; GA 4; GA 15
22
Continue on US 1; 4; 15
1.4 mi·1 min·Plant Hatch Parkway
23
Continue on US 1; GA 4; GA 15
8.4 mi·9 min·US 1; GA 4; GA 15
24
Turn left onto US 341; GA 27
2.3 mi·3 min·East Parker Street
Use the left lane.
25
Continue on US 341; GA 27
12 mi·14 min·Golden Isles Highway East
26
Continue on US 341; GA 27
6.2 mi·7 min·Odum Highway
27
Continue on US 341; GA 27
1.6 mi·2 min·South Main Street
28
Continue on US 341; GA 27
6.9 mi·9 min·Odum Highway
29
Continue on US 341; GA 27
0.4 mi·40 sec·West Cherry Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Take the exit
0.1 mi·14 sec
Toward West Cherry Street
31
Turn straight onto West Cherry Street
1.1 mi·2 min·West Cherry Street
32
Arrive at destination
West Cherry Street
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and avoid potential rush hour traffic around Atlanta. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $38, pacing yourself is easy. The longest stretch on I-16 means you can settle in for a good portion of the drive. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before entering more rural stretches, and consider filling up before you leave Dunwoody to ensure you have plenty of gas for the entire trip.
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 124.6 miles from Dunwoody, GA, or about 2h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65.6 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 55 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.6 miles or 2h 22m 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 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jesup, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Dunwoody, 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 Dunwoody, GA
This is one driving day of about 249.1 miles and 5h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Dunwoody, 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 65.6 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 24.2 and 218.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
24.2 mi into trip|~32m in
Take the exit toward I 675 South: Macon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 52
Toward I 675 South: Macon
8
84.9 mi into trip|~1h 39m 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
97.1 mi into trip|~1h 53m 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
6
163.8 mi into trip|~3h 5m in
Take the exit toward GA 29: Soperton, Vidalia
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 67
Toward GA 29: Soperton, Vidalia
6
218.9 mi into trip|~4h 25m in|US 341; GA 27 / East Parker Street
Turn left onto US 341; GA 27 / East Parker Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.78 one way
$73.55 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$40.42
$80.83
premium
$4.49
$44.05
$88.11
diesel
$4.80
$47.03
$94.07
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.7
0
$26.16
$11.96
Efficient EV
62.3
0
$21.80
$9.96
EV Truck/SUV
99.6
1
$34.87
$15.94
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Dunwoody, GA
Afternoon
in Dunwoody on Sunday
Local time
1:24 PM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Jesup, GA
Afternoon
in Jesup on Sunday
Local time
1:24 PM
EDT
Current temp
96°F
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 1 to 6 mph39% 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
24 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 6m 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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 103.1
Caution: River Trail periodically closed under I-16
Park Closure: BOARDWALK CLOSED along the River Trail
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,...
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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 25.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly highway, with 73% of the drive on major roads like I-75 and I-16. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 65.6 miles on I-16, offering a good opportunity for steady cruising. Expect the highway driving to transition to surface roads as you approach your destination. The prevalence of highway miles suggests a relatively smooth drive with fewer interruptions, though you should be aware of increased exit and entrance activity as you pass through populated areas.
73% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 65.6 mi on I 16.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 24.2 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 249.1 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: at 24.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 84.9 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 97.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,130 ft94 ft
Total Climb
161 ft
Total Descent
1,197 ft
Highest Point
1,130 ft
Elevation Range
1,037 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Dunwoody, GA and Jesup, GA, road signs point toward Macon, Savannah and Vidalia.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 6m. Total distance: 249.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (73%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 65.6 miles on I 16. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 21 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 Jesup, 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 21 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 24.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 84.9 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 97.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area and Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Jesup, GA before the return drive.
