Savannah, GA to Duluth, GA is 270.2 miles and takes about 5h via Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway and I 75, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Georgia, moving from the Southeast region to a more inland part of the same region. It's a straightforward, mostly highway trip that's easily manageable in a single day. Plan for a relatively quick transit with minimal fuss, making it a practical choice for getting from the coast to the Atlanta metro area.
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
135.1 miles from Savannah, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 27m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway
162.1 mi
2h 54m
I 75
62.1 mi
1h 7m
Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
17.3 mi
19m
Terrell Starr Parkway
10.1 mi
11m
Interstate Highway 85
6.3 mi
6m
West Bay Street
1.8 mi
2m
Buford Highway
1.5 mi
2m
Steve Reynolds Boulevard
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway
— 162.1 mi, about 2h 54m
Traffic on I-16
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 114 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~963 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,428
Quietest
1 AM
~114 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.4×
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 Duluth, 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
1.8 mi·2 min·West Bay Street
4
Turn left onto US 80; GA 25 Connector; GA 26
360 ft·7 sec·Collins Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
Continue on US 80; GA 25 Connector; GA 26
455 ft·9 sec·Augusta Avenue
6
Take the ramp onto US 80; GA 25 Connector; GA 26
0.2 mi·24 sec·US 80; GA 25 Connector; GA 26
Toward GA 21 South
7
Merge onto I 516; US 80; GA 21; GA 25; GA 26
0.8 mi·1 min·William F. Lynes Parkway
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·19 sec
Toward I 16, US 17 North: Macon, SavannahUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward I 16 West: MaconUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 75 North: AtlantaUse the straight / left lanes.
13
Merge onto I 75
62 mi·1 hr 7 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 675
10 mi·11 min·Terrell Starr Parkway
Exit 227Toward I 675 North: Augusta, GreenvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 285 East: Augusta, GreenvilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 285
17 mi·19 min·Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.7 mi·52 sec
Exit 33Toward I 85: Greenville, AtlantaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork
520 ft·6 sec
Toward I 85 North: GreenvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·40 sec
Toward I 85 North: GreenvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto I 85
1.2 mi·1 min·Northeast Expressway
21
Continue on I 85
6.3 mi·6 min·Interstate Highway 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Exit 103Toward Steve Reynolds BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn left onto Steve Reynolds Boulevard
1.4 mi·2 min·Steve Reynolds Boulevard
Use the left lane.
24
Turn left onto Pleasant Hill Road
1.2 mi·2 min·Pleasant Hill Road
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi·16 sec
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
27
Turn right onto US 23; GA 13
1.5 mi·2 min·Buford Highway
28
Turn left onto 120
494 ft·22 sec·West Lawrenceville Street
Use the left lane.
29
Turn left onto Main Street
43 ft·1 sec·Main Street
30
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Trip Plan
With a 5-hour estimated drive time, leaving Savannah in the morning allows ample time to reach Duluth before evening. The single recommended stop suggests you can easily complete this trip without an overnight stay. Given the 270.2-mile distance, consider stopping around the halfway point if you prefer to break up the driving. Keep an eye on fuel costs, estimated at $41, and plan your refill accordingly, especially before entering the busier Atlanta area where prices might fluctuate. The longest stretch without a major road change is over 162 miles, so ensure you're comfortable with that duration of continuous driving.
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 135.1 miles from Savannah, GA, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 162.1 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 59 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 135.1 miles or 2h 27m 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 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Duluth, 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 270.2 miles and 5h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 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 Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway for about 162.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 135.1 miles from Savannah, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 162.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 3 and 256.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
3 mi into trip|~5m in
Take the exit toward I 16, US 17 North: Macon, 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.
Toward I 16, US 17 North: Macon, Savannah
8
3.2 mi into trip|~5m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 16 West: Macon
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 16 West: Macon
9
228.6 mi into trip|~4h 8m in|I 675 / Terrell Starr Parkway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 675 / Terrell Starr Parkway toward I 675 North: Augusta, Greenville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 227
Toward I 675 North: Augusta, Greenville
8
238.8 mi into trip|~4h 20m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 285 East: Augusta, Greenville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 285 East: Augusta, Greenville
8
256.7 mi into trip|~4h 41m in
Take the exit toward I 85: Greenville, Atlanta
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 33
Toward I 85: Greenville, Atlanta
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.40 one way
$82.80 round trip
$3.89/gal25.4 MPG avg95 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.27
$45.43
$90.87
premium
$4.64
$49.33
$98.65
diesel
$5.60
$59.56
$119.12
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: 94.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
81.1
1
$28.37
$12.97
Efficient EV
67.6
0
$23.64
$10.81
EV Truck/SUV
108.1
1
$37.83
$17.29
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 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 Aug 26, 2026
Origin
Savannah, GA
Late night
in Savannah on Wednesday
Local time
3:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 2 mph19% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued August 25 at 9:51PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued August 25 at 9:27PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Destination
Duluth, GA
Late night
in Duluth on Wednesday
Local time
3:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Mostly Clear
NE 0 to 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued August 25 at 9:51PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued August 25 at 9:27PM 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
5 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 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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 167.7
Caution: River Trail periodically closed under I-16
Park Closure: BOARDWALK CLOSED along the River Trail
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,...
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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 242.2
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is predominantly highway driving, with 90% of the route utilizing major roads. You'll experience a long stretch of 162.1 miles on Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway before transitioning to I 75 and the Atlanta Bypass/The Perimeter. Expect a steady pace for most of the drive, with the highway portion likely featuring numerous exits as you approach the Atlanta metropolitan area.
90% 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: 162.1 mi on Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway and I 75. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 24 significant decision points across 270.2 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 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 228.6 miles (I 675 / Terrell Starr Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,095 ft22 ft
Total Climb
1,149 ft
Total Descent
76 ft
Highest Point
1,095 ft
~270.2 mi in
Elevation Range
1,073 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 Duluth, GA, road signs point toward Greenville and Atlanta.
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. Total distance: 270.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 162.1 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 Duluth, 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 3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 228.6 miles (I 675 / Terrell Starr Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area and Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Duluth, GA before the return drive.
