Marietta, GA to Skidaway Island, GA is 278.4 miles and takes about 5h 16m via I-75 and I-16, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Georgia, connecting the Southeast region. It's a straightforward, mostly highway drive, making it a convenient option for a single-day excursion. You'll be on the road for a little over five hours, so plan for a comfortable pace. The short duration and predictable route make it ideal for a quick getaway or a travel day.
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
139.2 miles from Marietta, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 39m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 16
162.5 mi
2h 55m
I 75
77.1 mi
1h 25m
Horace E Tate Freeway
7.3 mi
8m
Larry McDonald Memorial Highway
5.2 mi
5m
Downtown Connector
5 mi
6m
Diamond Causeway
4 mi
6m
William F. Lynes Parkway
4 mi
5m
Waters Avenue
2.5 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 16
— 162.5 mi, about 2h 55m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 165 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~5,725 veh/hr typical
· worst 6,618
Quietest
2 AM
~939 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.1×
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 Marietta, GA and Skidaway Island, GA.
1
Start on West Park Square
117 ft·11 sec·West Park Square
2
Continue on South Park Square
343 ft·8 sec·South Park Square
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on Roswell Street
1.7 mi·3 min·Roswell Street
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn right onto US 41; GA 3
0.7 mi·1 min·Cobb Parkway South
Use the straight lane.
5
Turn left onto GA 120
0.6 mi·1 min·South Marietta Parkway
Use the left lane.
6
Take the exit
0.5 mi·52 sec
Toward I 75 South: AtlantaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 75
5.2 mi·5 min·Larry McDonald Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 75
7.3 mi·8 min·Horace E Tate Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 75; I 85
5.0 mi·6 min·Downtown Connector
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 75; I 85
2.3 mi·3 min·James Wendell George Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
65 mi·1 hr 11 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
12 mi·13 min·I 75
Toward Macon, SavannahUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
1.1 mi·1 min
Exit 165Toward I 16 East: Jim Gillis Highway, SavannahUse the slight right lane.
14
Continue on I 16
162 mi·2 hr 55 min·I 16
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.1 mi·16 sec
Exit 164AToward I 516 East, US 80 East, US 17 South, GA 21 South: Lynes ParkwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 164AToward I 516 East, US 80 East, US 17 South, GA 21 South: Lynes Parkway
17
Merge onto I 516; US 17; US 80; GA 21; GA 25; GA 26
4.0 mi·5 min·William F. Lynes Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on GA 21
1.3 mi·1 min·West Derenne Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
19
Turn right onto Waters Avenue
0.2 mi·17 sec·Waters Avenue
20
Continue on Waters Drive
0.2 mi·21 sec·Waters Drive
21
Continue on Waters Avenue
2.3 mi·3 min·Waters Avenue
22
Continue on GA 204 SPUR
1.5 mi·2 min·Whitefield Avenue
23
Continue on GA 204 SPUR
4.0 mi·6 min·Diamond Causeway
24
Turn slight left
359 ft·9 sec
25
Turn straight onto Landings Way
0.3 mi·39 sec·Landings Way
26
Turn left
307 ft·23 sec
27
At end of road, turn left
484 ft·24 sec
28
Turn left
104 ft·10 sec
29
Turn left
47 ft·3 sec
30
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 5h 16m drive, leaving Marietta, GA in the morning, perhaps between 9 AM and 10 AM, should allow you to arrive at Skidaway Island in the afternoon with plenty of daylight. Since it's a single-day trip, you can be flexible with stops. Consider breaking up the drive with a brief stop around the halfway point, as the longest continuous stretch is over 160 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially when you're further out on I-16, as services can be more spread out. The estimated fuel cost is around $43, so factor that into your budget.
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 139.2 miles from Marietta, GA, or about 2h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 162.5 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 61 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.2 miles or 2h 39m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Skidaway Island, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Marietta, 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 Marietta, GA
This is one driving day of about 278.4 miles and 5h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Marietta, 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 162.5 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.1 and 264.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
3.1 mi into trip|~6m in
Take the exit toward I 75 South: Atlanta
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 75 South: Atlanta
8
88.2 mi into trip|~1h 43m 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
100.4 mi into trip|~1h 57m 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 mi into trip|~4h 53m in
Take the exit toward I 516 East, US 80 East, US 17 South, GA 21 South: Lynes Parkway
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 164A
Toward I 516 East, US 80 East, US 17 South, GA...
8
264.1 mi into trip|~4h 54m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 516 East, US 80 East, US 17 South, GA 21 South: Lynes Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 164A
Toward I 516 East, US 80 East, US 17 South, GA...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.10 one way
$82.20 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg97 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$45.17
$90.34
premium
$4.49
$49.24
$98.47
diesel
$4.80
$52.57
$105.13
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
83.5
1
$29.23
$13.36
Efficient EV
69.6
0
$24.36
$11.14
EV Truck/SUV
111.4
1
$38.98
$17.82
Gas CO2
97 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 18, 2026
Origin
Marietta, GA
Late night
in Marietta on Sunday
Local time
5:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Partly Cloudy
NW 5 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 10:32PM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 17 at 9:56PM EDT until July 17 at 11:15PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Destination
Skidaway Island, GA
Late night
in Skidaway Island on Sunday
Local time
5:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Mostly Clear
S 3 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 10:32PM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 17 at 9:56PM EDT until July 17 at 11:15PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
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
6 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 16m 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.
Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
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
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 105.6
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...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
$10
near mile 278.4
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?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 91% of the 278.4 miles on major interstates like I-75 and I-16. You'll experience a substantial stretch of 162.5 miles on I-16, which will likely feel like a continuous cruising segment. The transition from highway to surface roads will occur as you approach your destination, offering a change of pace. Expect a high volume of exits and merging traffic as you navigate through populated areas, especially on I-75.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 162.5 mi on I 16.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 3.1 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 278.4 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 3.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 88.2 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 100.4 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
1,124 ft9 ft
Total Climb
168 ft
Total Descent
1,283 ft
Highest Point
1,124 ft
Elevation Range
1,115 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Marietta, GA and Skidaway Island, GA, road signs point toward Macon and Savannah.
Marietta is a city of 61,000 people (2019) in Metro Atlanta. It is the fourth largest city in the state. Dobbins Air Reserve Base on the south side of town and a Lockheed Martin manufacturing plant are among the major industries in the city.
Top landmarks
•Marietta National Cemetery — veterans cemetery in Cobb County, Georgia, United States
•Aviation History & Technology Center — museum in Marietta, Georgia, USA
Skidaway Island is in Coastal Georgia. The area is home to the gated community of The Landings, which is home to over 8500 residents, over half of whom are over 60; hundreds of short term guests visit each year.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 16m. Total distance: 278.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 162.5 miles on I 16. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 27 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 Skidaway Island, 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 27 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 88.2 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 100.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, Ocmulgee Mounds 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Skidaway Island, GA before the return drive.
