McCaysville to Savannah is 351.4 miles and takes about 6h 38m via I-75 and I-16, with a fuel budget near $54 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within Georgia, taking you from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. Expect a predominantly highway experience for most of the trip, making it a straightforward point-to-point drive. With only one recommended stop and a duration under seven hours, this route is well-suited for a single-day excursion if you get an early start.
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
175.7 miles from McCaysville, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 25m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 16
164.2 mi
2h 57m
I 75
77.1 mi
1h 25m
APD Highway
41.1 mi
50m
Phillip Landrum Memorial Highway
21.1 mi
22m
Larry McDonald Memorial Highway
10.3 mi
11m
Blue Ridge Drive
10.1 mi
15m
A P D Highway
10.1 mi
10m
Horace E Tate Freeway
7.3 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
I 16
— 164.2 mi, about 2h 57m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 357 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~5,709 veh/hr typical
· worst 6,773
Quietest
2 AM
~875 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.5×
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 McCaysville, GA and Savannah, GA.
1
Start on East Tennessee Avenue
162 ft·12 sec·East Tennessee Avenue
2
Turn left onto GA 5
10 mi·15 min·Blue Ridge Drive
3
Turn right onto US 76; GA 2; GA 5; GA 515
41 mi·50 min·APD Highway
Use the straight lane.
4
Continue on I 575; GA 5
10 mi·10 min·A P D Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on I 575; GA 5
10 mi·10 min·Phillip Landrum Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 575; GA 5
11 mi·11 min·Phillip Landrum Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Merge onto I 75; GA 5
10 mi·11 min·Larry McDonald Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
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.
Exit 167AToward Martin Luther King Junior BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn left onto Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
0.8 mi·2 min·Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
18
Turn left onto GA 25 Connector
0.2 mi·21 sec·West Bay Street
19
Turn uturn
117 ft·11 sec
20
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 38m estimated drive time, starting your trip in McCaysville early in the morning is advisable to reach Savannah before dark. While the route is manageable in one day, consider a brief stop to break up the 164.2-mile stretch on I-16. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach the latter half of the drive, as there's only one recommended stop. The $54 fuel cost is an estimate, so confirm current prices. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility in when you depart.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 175.7 miles from McCaysville, GA, or about 3h 25m 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 77 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 175.7 miles or 3h 25m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 31m
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 McCaysville, 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 McCaysville, GA
This is one driving day of about 351.4 miles and 6h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 77 miles from McCaysville, 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 71.5 and 351.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
71.5 mi into trip|~1h 27m in|I 575; GA 5 / Phillip Landrum Memorial Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 575; GA 5 / Phillip Landrum Memorial Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8
172.1 mi into trip|~3h 21m 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
184.4 mi into trip|~3h 35m 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
350.2 mi into trip|~6h 35m 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
351.4 mi into trip|~6h 37m in
Turn uturn
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$55.82 one way
$111.65 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg123 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$60.87
$121.74
premium
$4.78
$66.13
$132.26
diesel
$6.18
$85.48
$170.97
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$56
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 122.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
105.4
1
$36.90
$16.87
Efficient EV
87.9
1
$30.75
$14.06
EV Truck/SUV
140.6
1
$49.20
$22.49
Gas CO2
123 kg
EV CO2
41 kg (67% 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 Oct 18, 2026
Origin
McCaysville, GA
Evening
in McCaysville on Sunday
Local time
7:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Areas Of Frost then Sunny
0 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
Savannah, GA
Evening
in Savannah on Sunday
Local time
7:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Clear
N 16 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
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
20 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 38m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 96.9
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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 181.7
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 351.4
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 72% highway, meaning you'll spend a significant portion of your time on interstates like I-75 and I-16. The longest continuous stretch on the highway is 164.2 miles, which occurs on I-16. After the highway segments, you'll transition to surface roads, including APD Highway, for the remainder of the trip. Be prepared for the frequent exits and merging traffic common on major interstate routes.
72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 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 71.5 miles in near I 575; GA 5 / Phillip Landrum Memorial Highway.
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 12 significant decision points across 351.4 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 71.5 miles (I 575; GA 5 / Phillip Landrum Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 172.1 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 184.4 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
1,461 ft22 ft
Total Climb
12 ft
Total Descent
1,451 ft
Highest Point
1,461 ft
Elevation Range
1,439 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 McCaysville, GA to Savannah, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Macon along the way.
McCaysville is a city in Georgia's Northeast High Country. McCaysville, Georgia and Copperhill, Tennessee are known as "twin cities" as the Georgia and Tennessee state lines separate the two cities.
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 6h 38m. Total distance: 351.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 38m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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 26 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 26 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 71.5 miles (I 575; GA 5 / Phillip Landrum Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 172.1 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 184.4 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 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Savannah, GA before the return drive.
