Savannah to Clarkesville is 262.9 miles and takes about 5h 37m via GA 21 and GA 17, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive begins in Georgia's Southeast region and ends in the same state, heading generally northwest. You'll transition from more developed areas to a more rural landscape. With a recommended one-day travel time, this route is a solid option for a straightforward trip without needing an overnight stay.
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
131.5 miles from Savannah, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
GA 21
41.9 mi
48m
GA 17
32.5 mi
43m
Carl Sanders Highway
23.9 mi
25m
Main Street
19.5 mi
26m
Bowman Highway
15.2 mi
17m
GA 56
13.7 mi
19m
Augusta Road
12.6 mi
17m
Toccoa Bypass
11.4 mi
12m
Longest stretch:
GA 21
— 41.9 mi, about 48m
Traffic on I-520
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~3,936 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~196 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
20.1×
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 Savannah, GA and Clarkesville, GA.
1
Start on this road
145 ft·13 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto North Fahm Street
72 ft·6 sec·North Fahm Street
3
Turn right onto West Bay Street
1.7 mi·2 min·West Bay Street
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward I 516 West, GA 21 North
5
Merge onto I 516; GA 21; GA 25
1.1 mi·1 min·William F. Lynes Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on GA 21
13 mi·17 min·Augusta Road
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on GA 21; I 3 FUT
42 mi·48 min·GA 21; I 3 FUT
Use the straight lane.
8
Turn right onto GA 21 Business
1.5 mi·2 min·South Main Street
9
Continue on US 301 Business; GA 73; GA 21 Business
1.0 mi·1 min·North Main Street
10
Turn slight left onto US 301 Business; GA 73
299 ft·6 sec·US 301 Business; GA 73
11
Turn right onto US 301; GA 73 Loop
4.5 mi·5 min·US 301; GA 73 Loop
12
Take the exit onto GA 24
5.4 mi·7 min·GA 24
13
Turn right onto Millhaven Road
1.9 mi·2 min·Millhaven Road
14
Continue on Milhaven Road
1.2 mi·1 min·Milhaven Road
15
Turn straight onto Girard Millhaven Road
3.4 mi·4 min·Girard Millhaven Road
16
Continue on Millhaven Road
5.6 mi·7 min·Millhaven Road
17
Continue on GA 23
19 mi·26 min·Main Street
18
At end of road, turn right onto GA 56
14 mi·19 min·GA 56
19
Take the ramp onto GA 56
202 ft·6 sec·Mike Padgett Highway
20
Take the ramp
0.7 mi·1 min
21
Merge onto I 520
7.4 mi·8 min·Bobby Jones Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto I 520
0.7 mi·53 sec·Bobby Jones Expressway
Toward I 20: Atlanta, LexingtonUse the straight lane.
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 20 West: AtlantaUse the straight / slight left lanes.
24
Merge onto I 20
24 mi·25 min·Carl Sanders Highway
Use the straight lane.
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward US 78, GA 17: Thomson, Washington
26
Turn right onto GA 17
11 mi·12 min·Washington Road
27
Continue on US 78; GA 10; GA 17
11 mi·13 min·Thomson Road
28
Turn left onto US 78; GA 10
0.6 mi·46 sec·US 78; GA 10
29
Turn right onto GA 17 BUS; GA 44
0.9 mi·1 min·Tignall Road
30
Turn left onto GA 17
7.4 mi·10 min·Tignall Road
31
Continue on GA 17
1.8 mi·2 min·South Hulin Avenue
32
Continue on GA 17
6.8 mi·9 min·Elberton Highway
33
Continue on GA 17
9.6 mi·13 min·Washington Highway
34
Continue on GA 17
1.3 mi·2 min·Elbert Street
35
Continue on GA 17; GA 72
0.1 mi·7 sec·Heard Street
36
Continue on GA 17; GA 72
0.7 mi·49 sec·Elbert Street
37
Continue on SR 17; SR 72
1.4 mi·1 min·College Avenue
38
Turn left onto GA 17
9.7 mi·11 min·Bowman Highway
39
Continue on GA 17
1.8 mi·2 min·East Railroad Street
40
Continue on GA 17
5.4 mi·6 min·Bowman Highway
41
Continue on GA 17
27 mi·34 min·GA 17
42
Turn left onto GA 17
11 mi·12 min·Toccoa Bypass
43
Turn right onto GA 17
5.2 mi·9 min·GA 17
44
Turn right onto GA 17; GA 197
0.8 mi·1 min·Washington Street
45
Turn left onto West Franklin Street
248 ft·13 sec·West Franklin Street
46
Turn right onto Madison Street
100 ft·4 sec·Madison Street
47
Arrive at destination
Madison Street
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour drive, leaving Savannah in the morning will give you plenty of time to reach Clarkesville before evening. Since it's designed for a single day, you can be flexible with your timing. The route involves a significant portion of surface roads, so keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially on the longer stretches like the 41.9 miles on GA 21. There's one recommended stop, so plan to take a break midway to stretch your legs or grab a bite.
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 131.5 miles from Savannah, GA, or about 2h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 41.9 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 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 131.5 miles or 2h 50m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clarkesville, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Savannah, 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 Savannah, GA
This is one driving day of about 262.9 miles and 5h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Savannah, 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 GA 21 for about 41.9 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 124.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|North Fahm Street
Turn right onto North Fahm Street
Navigation decision point
5
2 mi into trip|~3m in|I 516; GA 21; GA 25 / William F. Lynes Parkway
Merge onto I 516; GA 21; GA 25 / William F. Lynes Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
116.1 mi into trip|~2h 32m in|I 520 / Bobby Jones Expressway
Merge onto I 520 / Bobby Jones Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
123.5 mi into trip|~2h 40m in|I 520 / Bobby Jones Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 520 / Bobby Jones Expressway toward I 20: Atlanta, Lexington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 20: Atlanta, Lexington
7
124.1 mi into trip|~2h 41m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 20 West: Atlanta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 20 West: Atlanta
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.28 one way
$80.57 round trip
$3.89/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.27
$44.21
$88.41
premium
$4.64
$47.99
$95.99
diesel
$5.60
$57.95
$115.90
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78.9
0
$27.60
$12.62
Efficient EV
65.7
0
$23.00
$10.52
EV Truck/SUV
105.2
1
$36.81
$16.83
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% 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 Aug 16, 2026
Origin
Savannah, GA
Late night
in Savannah on Wednesday
Local time
3:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Partly Cloudy
SW 5 mph11% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued August 15 at 9:07PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued August 15 at 8:33PM EDT until August 16 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
Destination
Clarkesville, GA
Late night
in Clarkesville on Wednesday
Local time
3:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Partly Cloudy
N 1 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued August 15 at 9:07PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued August 15 at 8:33PM EDT until August 16 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg 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
6 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 37m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 41% of this route is on highways, meaning you'll spend a good portion of your time cruising. The longest continuous stretch on a single road is 41.9 miles on GA 21. Expect a mix of highway driving and surface roads, particularly as you get closer to your destination. This transition will likely involve fewer exits and a more rural feel.
41% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
47 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 41.9 mi on GA 21.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North Fahm Street.
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 22 significant decision points across 262.9 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: near the start (North Fahm Street): Navigation decision point; at 2 miles (I 516; GA 21; GA 25 / William F. Lynes Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 116.1 miles (I 520 / Bobby Jones Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,366 ft22 ft
Total Climb
1,640 ft
Total Descent
297 ft
Highest Point
1,366 ft
~262.9 mi in
Elevation Range
1,344 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Savannah, GA and Clarkesville, GA, road signs point toward Lexington and Washington.
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 5h 37m. Total distance: 262.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 41.9 miles on GA 21. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 14 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 Clarkesville, 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 14 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North Fahm Street): Navigation decision point; at 2 miles (I 516; GA 21; GA 25 / William F. Lynes Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 116.1 miles (I 520 / Bobby Jones Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Clarkesville, GA before the return drive.
