Saint Simon Mills, GA to Smyrna, GA is 274 miles and takes about 5h 29m via Hamilton Road and Sea Island Road, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Georgia, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. Since it's mostly surface roads and doesn't involve a significant highway share, expect a more local driving experience. This route is best suited for a single day, offering a straightforward transition between these two Georgia locations.
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
137 miles from Saint Simon Mills, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 35m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway
103.2 mi
1h 50m
I 95
60.6 mi
1h 5m
US 441
56.9 mi
1h 11m
Madison Road
6.6 mi
9m
North Columbia Street
4.7 mi
7m
James Marshall Bypass
4.5 mi
6m
Golden Isles Parkway
4.3 mi
6m
South Jefferson Street
3.7 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway
— 103.2 mi, about 1h 50m
Traffic on I-16
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 48 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,011 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,533
Quietest
1 AM
~123 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.2×
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 Saint Simon Mills, GA and Smyrna, GA.
1
Start on Arthur J. Moore Drive
377 ft·18 sec·Arthur J. Moore Drive
2
Turn left onto Hamilton Road
0.2 mi·49 sec·Hamilton Road
3
At end of road, turn right onto Sea Island Road
513 ft·12 sec·Sea Island Road
4
Turn straight
0.2 mi·27 sec
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·19 sec
6
Continue on F. J. Torras Causeway
2.1 mi·3 min·F. J. Torras Causeway
7
Continue on Fernando Joseph Torras Causeway
2.0 mi·3 min·Fernando Joseph Torras Causeway
8
Turn right onto US 17; GA 25
1.6 mi·3 min·Glynn Avenue
9
Continue on GA 25 Spur
4.3 mi·6 min·Golden Isles Parkway
10
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 North: I 95 NorthUse the right lane.
11
Merge onto I 95
60 mi·1 hr 4 min·I 95
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95
0.6 mi·47 sec·I 95
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·50 sec
Exit 99BToward I 16 West: MaconUse the slight right lane.
Turn right onto US 129 Bypass; US 441 Bypass; 24 Bypass
2.6 mi·3 min·Madison Bypass
35
Turn right onto US 278; GA 12
3.0 mi·4 min·Greensboro Road
Use the right lane.
36
Turn right onto Buckhead Road
103 ft·2 sec·Buckhead Road
37
Arrive at destination
Buckhead Road
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 29m estimated drive time, leaving Saint Simon Mills in the morning should allow you to reach Smyrna with plenty of daylight remaining. Plan for one stop along the way to break up the 274-mile drive, especially since it's entirely on surface roads. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is around $43, and filling up before you leave Saint Simon Mills or at your planned stop is a good idea. The lack of highway driving means you'll be moving at a more consistent, local pace, so factor that into your timing.
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 137 miles from Saint Simon Mills, GA, or about 2h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 103.2 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 60 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137 miles or 2h 35m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Smyrna, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Saint Simon Mills, 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 Saint Simon Mills, GA
This is one driving day of about 274 miles and 5h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Saint Simon Mills, 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 103.2 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 175.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in|Sea Island Road
At end of road, turn right onto Sea Island Road
Navigation decision point
6
10.7 mi into trip|~18m in
Take the exit toward I 95 North: I 95 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 95 North: I 95 North
7
71.8 mi into trip|~1h 24m in
Take the exit toward I 16 West: Macon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 99B
Toward I 16 West: Macon
6
72.1 mi into trip|~1h 25m in|I 16 / Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway
Merge onto I 16 / Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway toward Savannah
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Savannah
6
175.3 mi into trip|~3h 16m in
Take the exit toward GA 19: Dublin, East Dublin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 54
Toward GA 19: Dublin, East Dublin
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.83 one way
$85.65 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg96 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.35
$46.90
$93.81
premium
$4.72
$50.92
$101.83
diesel
$6.28
$67.70
$135.40
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82.2
1
$28.77
$13.15
Efficient EV
68.5
0
$23.98
$10.96
EV Truck/SUV
109.6
1
$38.36
$17.54
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 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 19, 2026
Origin
Saint Simon Mills, GA
Late night
in Saint Simon Mills on Friday
Local time
2:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Sunny
N 12 to 16 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued October 19 at 2:44AM EDT by NWS Peachtree City GA
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 2:26AM EDT until October 22 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Destination
Smyrna, GA
Late night
in Smyrna on Friday
Local time
2:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Sunny
NE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued October 19 at 2:44AM EDT by NWS Peachtree City GA
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 2:26AM EDT until October 22 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Jacksonville 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
1 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
5h 29m 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.
Fort Frederica National Monument
National Monument
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...
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...
21 mi from route
~52 min detour
$10
near mile 66.1
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...
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...
24 mi from route
~60 min detour
Free
near mile 207.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is entirely on surface roads, meaning you won't encounter any highway driving. The primary roads you'll be following are Hamilton Road and Sea Island Road. With 0% highway share, be prepared for a consistent pace that involves more local traffic and intersections than a typical interstate cruise. You'll notice the absence of high-speed cruising and the presence of more frequent stops and starts throughout the 274-mile trip.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 103.2 mi on Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near Sea Island Road.
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 18 significant decision points across 274 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 0.3 miles (Sea Island Road): Navigation decision point; at 10.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 71.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
651 ft10 ft
Total Climb
671 ft
Total Descent
64 ft
Highest Point
651 ft
~255.9 mi in
Elevation Range
642 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Saint Simon Mills, GA and Smyrna, GA, road signs point toward Savannah and Dublin.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 29m. Total distance: 274 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 103.2 miles on Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Smyrna, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (Sea Island Road): Navigation decision point; at 10.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 71.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Fort Frederica National Monument, Fort Pulaski National Monument and Cumberland Island National Seashore (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Smyrna, GA before the return drive.
