Macon to Brunswick is 224.3 miles and takes about 4h 7m via Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway and I-95, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This all-Georgia trip spans the Southeast region, moving from the central part of the state toward the coast. It's a straightforward drive, mostly on major highways, making it a convenient option for a single-day excursion. If you're looking for an easy transit between these two points, this route fits the bill without much fuss.
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
112.2 miles from Macon, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway
154.5 mi
2h 45m
I 95
62.2 mi
1h 6m
Newcastle Street
2.3 mi
3m
New Jesup Highway
2 mi
3m
Norwich Street
0.9 mi
1m
Riverside Drive
0.7 mi
1m
Gloucester Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Spring Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway
— 154.5 mi, about 2h 45m
Traffic on I-16
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 90 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~987 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,477
Quietest
1 AM
~122 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 Macon, GA and Brunswick, GA.
Exit 36AToward US 25 South, US 341 South: Brunswick
10
Merge onto US 25; US 341; GA 27
1.5 mi·2 min·New Jesup Highway
11
Continue on US 25; US 341; GA 27
0.9 mi·1 min·Norwich Street
12
Continue on US 25; US 341; GA 27
0.5 mi·47 sec·New Jesup Highway
13
Continue on US 25; US 341; GA 27
2.3 mi·3 min·Newcastle Street
14
Turn straight onto New Castle Street
0.2 mi·26 sec·New Castle Street
15
Turn left onto US 25; GA 25 Connector
0.2 mi·44 sec·Gloucester Street
16
Turn right onto Norwich Street
62 ft·2 sec·Norwich Street
17
Arrive at destination
Norwich Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4-hour drive, consider leaving Macon early in the morning to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, you have the flexibility to take your time or push through. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 154.5-mile stretch on the Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway, as services may be less frequent. The transition to Newcastle Street marks the final approach, so be prepared for a change in speed and road conditions as you enter Brunswick.
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 112.2 miles from Macon, GA, or about 2h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 154.5 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 49 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 112.2 miles or 2h 1m 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 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brunswick, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Macon, 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 Macon, GA
This is one driving day of about 224.3 miles and 4h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Macon, 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 Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway for about 154.5 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 218.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|US 129; GA 11; GA 87 / Riverside Drive
Turn right onto US 129; GA 11; GA 87 / Riverside Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
1 mi into trip|~2m in
Take the ramp toward I 16 East: Savannah
Navigation decision point
Toward I 16 East: Savannah
5
1.2 mi into trip|~2m in|I 16 / Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway
Merge onto I 16 / Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
155.7 mi into trip|~2h 48m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South: Brunswick, Jacksonville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 95 South: Brunswick, Jacksonville
6
218.3 mi into trip|~3h 56m in
Take the exit toward US 25 South, US 341 South: Brunswick
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 36A
Toward US 25 South, US 341 South: Brunswick
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.09 one way
$66.18 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg79 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.23
$37.39
$74.78
premium
$4.67
$41.23
$82.46
diesel
$5.76
$50.86
$101.71
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.5 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
67.3
0
$23.55
$10.77
Efficient EV
56.1
0
$19.63
$8.97
EV Truck/SUV
89.7
1
$31.40
$14.36
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 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 Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Macon, GA
Late night
in Macon on Monday
Local time
4:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Sunny
NE 10 to 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued October 18 at 4:43AM EDT by NWS Peachtree City GA
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 18 at 2:09AM EDT until October 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Charleston SC
Destination
Brunswick, GA
Late night
in Brunswick on Monday
Local time
4:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Sunny
NE 20 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued October 18 at 4:43AM EDT by NWS Peachtree City GA
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 18 at 2:09AM EDT until October 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Charleston 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 7m 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...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
Caution: River Trail periodically closed under I-16
Park Closure: BOARDWALK CLOSED along the River Trail
War was imminent as James Oglethorpe established Fort Frederica in 1736, to help protect the British colonies from the Spanish in Florida. Fort Frederica illustrates the story of the War of Jenkins Ea...
7 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 216.6
St Marys is the gateway to Cumberland Island, Georgia's largest and southernmost barrier island. Here pristine maritime forests, undeveloped beaches and wide marshes whisper the stories of both man an...
20 mi from route
~51 min detour
$15
near mile 224.3
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...
20 mi from route
~49 min detour
$10
near mile 154.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect to spend about 97% of your time on highways, covering a significant 154.5 miles on the Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway. You'll transition to surface roads, specifically Newcastle Street, as you approach your destination. The long stretches on the parkway mean you'll experience consistent cruising, with fewer exits and more open road for extended periods before reaching the more developed areas near Brunswick.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 154.5 mi on Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway and I 95. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near US 129; GA 11; GA 87 / Riverside Drive.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 7m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (US 129; GA 11; GA 87 / Riverside Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.2 miles (I 16 / Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
399 ft-5 ft
Total Climb
142 ft
Total Descent
503 ft
Highest Point
399 ft
~32 mi in
Elevation Range
403 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 Macon, GA to Brunswick, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Jacksonville along the way.
Macon is a city in Georgia's Classic Heartland. The downtown area of Macon has antebellum homes, cathedrals, and other historic buildings that were built in the past by Macon's elite, including the Woodruff House, the Hay House, and the Cannonball House.
Macon is one of several cities to hold a cherry blossom celebration in springtime, although Macon stands out because it has a particularly large number of trees throughout the city. With over 275,000 Yoshino cherry trees, Macon calls itself the "Cherry Blossom Capital of the World."
Top landmarks
•Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park — national monument in the United States
•Georgia Music Hall of Fame — former music museum in Macon, Georgia, USA
Brunswick is a city in Coastal Georgia just north of Florida, the mainland gateway to several islands in the Intracoastal Waterway, including St. Simons Island and Jekyll Island.
Top landmarks
•Brunswick Old Town Historic District — historic district in Brunswick, Georgia
•Ballard School — historic school building in Brunswick, Georgia
•Windsor Park Historic District — historic district in Georgia, United States
The longest stretch is about 154.5 miles on Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 18 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (US 129; GA 11; GA 87 / Riverside Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.2 miles (I 16 / Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park, Fort Frederica National Monument and Cumberland Island National Seashore (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Brunswick, GA, but most travelers stay overnight.
