Savannah to Fitzgerald is 168.1 miles and takes about 3h 32m via Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway and US 319, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Georgia, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. You'll primarily be on highways for this route, making it a straightforward drive with a predictable pace. With a single recommended stop and a duration under four hours, it's a convenient option for a same-day trip.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
84.1 miles from Savannah, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 32m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway
85.6 mi
1h 32m
US 319
35 mi
47m
Eastman Road
13.6 mi
19m
US 280
11.2 mi
17m
Snowhill Baptist Church Road
8.4 mi
14m
US 221
6.4 mi
8m
North Ocmulgee Boulevard
3.1 mi
4m
West Bay Street
1.8 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway
— 85.6 mi, about 1h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Savannah, GA and Fitzgerald, 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.
Given the 3h 32m duration, starting your drive from Savannah in the morning is ideal to allow for a leisurely pace and potential flexibility. The route has only one recommended stop, so you can decide on its timing based on your needs. With 83% of the drive on highways, keep an eye on fuel levels, especially before embarking on longer stretches like the 85.6 miles on Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway. Your estimated fuel cost is $26, which is helpful for budgeting.
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 84.1 miles from Savannah, GA, or about 1h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85.6 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 37 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84.1 miles or 1h 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fitzgerald, 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 168.1 miles and 3h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 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 85.6 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 89.1 — 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
6
1.9 mi into trip|~3m in|US 80; GA 25 Connector; GA 26 / Collins Street
Turn left onto US 80; GA 25 Connector; GA 26 / Collins Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
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
6
89.1 mi into trip|~1h 38m in
Take the exit toward US 221, GA 56: Soperton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 78
Toward US 221, GA 56: Soperton
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.29 one way
$52.57 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg59 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$28.74
$57.48
premium
$4.70
$31.11
$62.22
diesel
$5.61
$37.11
$74.23
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50.4
0
$17.65
$8.07
Efficient EV
42
0
$14.71
$6.72
EV Truck/SUV
67.2
0
$23.53
$10.76
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Savannah, GA
Afternoon
in Savannah on Tuesday
Local time
1:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Fitzgerald, GA
Afternoon
in Fitzgerald on Tuesday
Local time
1:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
87°F
Alamo, GA
84 mi in
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
2 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
3h 32m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 Pulaski National Monument
National Monument
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 route is mostly highway, with 83% of the 168.1 miles on high-speed roads. You'll experience an 85.6-mile stretch on Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway before transitioning to other roads like US 319 and Eastman Road. Expect to encounter a consistent flow of traffic typical of highway driving for most of your trip.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 85.6 mi on Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway and US 319. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North Fahm Street.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 168.1 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North Fahm Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.9 miles (US 80; GA 25 Connector; GA 26 / Collins Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
Fitzgerald is a small town in Georgia's Plantation Midlands region, and is the (get this) center of the Fitzgerald Micropolitan Area. It was founded in 1895 by former Union Army drummer boy Philander H. Fitzgerald on behalf of Union Civil War veterans, leading to the nickname The Colony City. You'll see the Civil War history in the street signs: Union generals on the east, Confederates on the west, and at the Blue & Gray Museum. More importantly, though, tropical jungle chickens.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 32m. Total distance: 168.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 32m 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 85.6 miles on Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 7 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 Fitzgerald, 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 7 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North Fahm Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.9 miles (US 80; GA 25 Connector; GA 26 / Collins Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Fort Pulaski National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Fitzgerald, GA, but most travelers stay overnight.
