Traveling from Fayetteville to Savannah covers 237.2 miles of Georgia landscape, typically taking about 4 hours and 28 minutes of drive time. Because this route is a straightforward highway-focused trek, it is easily manageable as a one-day trip. You should budget approximately $38 for fuel to complete the journey. Since both cities are located within the Southeast region, you will experience a consistent transition across the state. This drive is ideal if you are looking for a direct path to the coast without needing to split your travel over multiple days.
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
118.6 miles from Fayetteville, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 18m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 16
164.2 mi
2h 57m
I 75
52.1 mi
56m
McDonough Road
6 mi
10m
McDonough-Lovejoy Road
5.1 mi
7m
Hastings Bridge Road
1.6 mi
2m
East Lanier Avenue
1.4 mi
2m
Old Hwy 3
1.3 mi
1m
McDonugh-Lovejoy Road
0.9 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 16
— 164.2 mi, about 2h 57m
Traffic on I-16
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 57 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~958 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,352
Quietest
1 AM
~111 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.6×
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 Fayetteville, GA and Savannah, GA.
1
Start on GA 85; GA 92
253 ft·9 sec·Glynn Street North
2
Continue on GA 85; GA 92
0.1 mi·27 sec·Glynn Street North
3
Turn left onto GA 54
0.7 mi·1 min·Stonewall Avenue East
Use the straight lane.
4
Continue on GA 54
1.4 mi·2 min·East Lanier Avenue
5
Turn right onto McDonough Road
6.0 mi·10 min·McDonough Road
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on Hastings Bridge Road
1.6 mi·2 min·Hastings Bridge Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
Continue on Old Hwy 3
1.3 mi·1 min·Old Hwy 3
8
Turn left onto GA 81
0.4 mi·29 sec·McDonugh- Lovejoy Road
Use the left lane.
9
Continue on GA 81
5.0 mi·6 min·McDonough-Lovejoy Road
10
Continue on GA 81
0.9 mi·1 min·McDonugh-Lovejoy Road
11
Continue on GA 81
0.1 mi·15 sec·McDonough-Lovejoy Road
12
Turn left onto GA 20; GA 81
0.2 mi·24 sec·Hampton Road
Use the left lane.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward I-75 South: MaconUse the right lane.
14
Merge onto I 75
40 mi·42 min·I 75
Use the straight lane.
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 make the most of your 4-hour and 28-minute journey, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the monotony of the long I-16 stretch. Leaving early in the morning helps you avoid potential congestion on the main interstates, especially if you are departing from the metro area. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the longest 164.2-mile segment to ensure you aren't caught off guard between major interchanges. Because the drive is relatively short, you have the flexibility to reach Savannah by the afternoon, giving you plenty of time to settle in after your arrival.
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 118.6 miles from Fayetteville, GA, or about 2h 18m 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 52 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 118.6 miles or 2h 18m 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 40m
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 Fayetteville, 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 Fayetteville, GA
This is one driving day of about 237.2 miles and 4h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Fayetteville, 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 17.7 and 237.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
17.7 mi into trip|~28m in
Take the exit toward I-75 South: Macon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I-75 South: Macon
8
58 mi into trip|~1h 12m 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
70.2 mi into trip|~1h 25m 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
236.1 mi into trip|~4h 25m 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
237.2 mi into trip|~4h 28m in
Turn uturn
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.02 one way
$70.04 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$38.48
$76.97
premium
$4.49
$41.95
$83.90
diesel
$4.80
$44.79
$89.58
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.2
0
$24.91
$11.39
Efficient EV
59.3
0
$20.76
$9.49
EV Truck/SUV
94.9
1
$33.21
$15.18
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Fayetteville, GA
Late night
in Fayetteville on Sunday
Local time
3:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
91°F
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NW 5 mph19% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:16AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Charleston SC
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:14AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Columbia SC
Destination
Savannah, GA
Late night
in Savannah on Sunday
Local time
3:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
94°F
Sunny
S 3 to 13 mph10% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:16AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Charleston SC
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:14AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Columbia SC
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
3 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
4h 28m 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
~1 min detour
Free
near mile 73.6
Caution: River Trail periodically closed under I-16
Park Closure: BOARDWALK CLOSED along the River Trail
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 237.2
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...
21 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 8.2
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 92% of your travel occurs on highways. You will navigate via I-75 and I-16, with a brief start on McDonough Road to get you headed in the right direction. The most significant portion of your time behind the wheel involves a long, 164.2-mile stretch on I-16. While the drive is efficient, be prepared for a consistent highway experience that favors speed over winding secondary roads. It is a functional, focused route that keeps you moving toward your destination with minimal technical navigation.
92% 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?
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 17.7 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 14 significant decision points across 237.2 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 17.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 58 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 70.2 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
935 ft22 ft
Total Climb
126 ft
Total Descent
1,038 ft
Highest Point
935 ft
Elevation Range
913 ft
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 Fayetteville, GA to Savannah, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Macon along the way.
Fayetteville is a small town about an hour away from Atlanta, in the city's Metro Area. Formerly quite rural, it has lately become more suburban with the rise of shopping chains such as Lowe's and JC Penney's, and housing sub-development neighborhoods.
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 4h 28m. Total distance: 237.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). 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.
Yes — we found about 24 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 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. There are 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 17.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 58 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 70.2 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, Fort Pulaski National Monument and Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Savannah, GA, but most travelers stay overnight.
