Lithia Springs, GA to Savannah, GA is 265.3 miles and takes about 4h 56m via I-75 and I-16, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within Georgia, connecting the Southeast region with itself. It's a straightforward, predominantly highway drive that's well-suited for a single-day excursion, making it a convenient option for getting from the Atlanta metro area to the Georgia coast. Plan for a mostly uninterrupted drive with minimal 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
132.7 miles from Lithia Springs, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 16
164.2 mi
2h 57m
I 75
77.1 mi
1h 25m
Tom Murphy Freeway
14.7 mi
17m
James Wendell George Parkway
2.3 mi
3m
South Sweetwater Road
1.3 mi
2m
Downtown Connector
1 mi
1m
Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
0.8 mi
2m
Lee Road
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 16
— 164.2 mi, about 2h 57m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 226 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~5,498 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~864 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.4×
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 Lithia Springs, GA and Savannah, GA.
1
Start on US 78; GA 5; GA 8
90 ft·9 sec·Veterans Memorial Highway
2
Turn left onto South Sweetwater Road
1.3 mi·2 min·South Sweetwater Road
Use the left lane.
3
Turn right onto Lee Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Lee Road
4
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 20 East
5
Merge onto I 20
15 mi·17 min·Tom Murphy Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 57Toward I 75 North, I 85 North, I 75 South, I 85 South: Chattanooga, Greenville, Macon, MontgomeryUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 75 South, I 85 South: Macon, MontgomeryUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 75; I 85
1.0 mi·1 min·Downtown Connector
9
Continue on I 75; I 85
2.3 mi·3 min·James Wendell George Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
65 mi·1 hr 11 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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.
Exit 167AToward Martin Luther King Junior BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn left onto Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
0.8 mi·2 min·Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
17
Turn left onto GA 25 Connector
0.2 mi·21 sec·West Bay Street
18
Turn uturn
117 ft·11 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4-hour, 56-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Lithia Springs to avoid potential Atlanta traffic. With a fuel cost estimated at $41, ensure your tank is full before you leave. The route is designed for a single day, so you won't need to plan for an overnight stay. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 164.2-mile stretch on I-16, as services can be more spread out on this highway segment. There's one recommended stop, so plan to use it for a break or to refuel.
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 132.7 miles from Lithia Springs, GA, or about 2h 31m 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 58 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.7 miles or 2h 31m 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 2m
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 Lithia Springs, 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 Lithia Springs, GA
This is one driving day of about 265.3 miles and 4h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Lithia Springs, 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 17.2 and 264.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
17.2 mi into trip|~22m in
Take the exit toward I 75 North, I 85 North, I 75 South, I 85 South: Chattanooga, Greenville, Macon, Montgomery
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 57
Toward I 75 North, I 85 North, I 75 South, I 85...
8
17.4 mi into trip|~22m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 75 South, I 85 South: Macon, Montgomery
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 75 South, I 85 South: Macon, Montgomer...
8
86.1 mi into trip|~1h 40m 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
98.3 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
8
264.2 mi into trip|~4h 53m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.17 one way
$78.34 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$43.04
$86.09
premium
$4.49
$46.92
$93.84
diesel
$4.80
$50.09
$100.19
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: 92.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.6
0
$27.86
$12.73
Efficient EV
66.3
0
$23.21
$10.61
EV Truck/SUV
106.1
1
$37.14
$16.98
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 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 19, 2026
Origin
Lithia Springs, GA
Late night
in Lithia Springs on Monday
Local time
5:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
92°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NW 5 mph47% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 19 at 1:15PM EDT by NWS Peachtree City GA
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 19 at 1:00PM EDT by NWS Peachtree City GA
Destination
Savannah, GA
Late night
in Savannah on Monday
Local time
5:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
93°F
Sunny
S 7 to 13 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 19 at 1:15PM EDT by NWS Peachtree City GA
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 19 at 1:00PM EDT by NWS Peachtree City GA
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
1 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 56m 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
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 100.6
Caution: River Trail periodically closed under I-16
Park Closure: BOARDWALK CLOSED along the River Trail
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...
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 265.3
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 to spend 98% of your time on highways, making this a very road-focused trip. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 164.2 miles on I-16. You'll experience a significant amount of highway cruising with frequent exits as you transition from I-75 to I-16. The initial portion involves navigating urban merging around Atlanta before settling into a more open highway feel.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 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 17.2 miles in.
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 265.3 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 17.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 86.1 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,046 ft22 ft
Total Climb
94 ft
Total Descent
1,118 ft
Highest Point
1,046 ft
Elevation Range
1,024 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lithia Springs, GA and Savannah, GA, road signs point toward Greenville, Macon and Montgomery.
Greenville
17.2 mi in|~22m
Macon
17.2 mi in|~22m
Montgomery
17.2 mi in|~22m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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 56m. Total distance: 265.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). 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 29 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 29 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 17.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 86.1 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park, Martin Luther King, Jr. 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Savannah, GA, but most travelers stay overnight.
