Savannah to Pelham is 256.4 miles and takes about 5 hours 16 minutes via Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Georgia, taking you from the Southeast coast inland. It's a straightforward trip that's mostly highway, making it a good option for a single-day journey. You'll find it's a practical route with minimal complexity, ideal if you want to get from point A to point B efficiently.
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
128.2 miles from Savannah, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway
114.5 mi
2h 3m
Georgia-Florida Parkway
35.1 mi
43m
Liberty Expressway
33.1 mi
41m
GA 257
22.5 mi
32m
Hawkinsville Road
15.7 mi
21m
Cordele Highway
9.4 mi
12m
Empire-Chester Highway
8.8 mi
11m
Vienna Highway
3 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway
— 114.5 mi, about 2h 3m
Traffic on I-16
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~973 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,371
Quietest
1 AM
~108 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Pelham, 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.
At end of road, turn right onto US 23; GA 87; GA 257
0.4 mi·31 sec·Eastman Cochran Highway
18
Continue on US 23; GA 87; GA 257
455 ft·13 sec·Golden Isles Highway
19
Turn left onto GA 257
8.7 mi·11 min·GA 257
20
Continue on US 129 Alternate; GA 26; GA 112; GA 257
1.2 mi·2 min·US 129 Alternate; GA 26; GA 112; GA 257
Use the left / right lanes.
21
Take the ramp onto US 129 Alternate; GA 26; GA 112; GA 257
0.1 mi·17 sec·US 129 Alternate; GA 26; GA 112; GA 257
22
Continue on US 341; US 129 Alternate; GA 26; GA 27; GA 112; GA 230; GA 257
0.7 mi·1 min·US 341; US 129 Alternate; GA 26; GA 27; GA 112; GA 230; GA 257
23
Continue on US 341; US 129 Alternate; GA 26; GA 27; GA 112; GA 230; GA 257
0.1 mi·17 sec·US 341; US 129 Alternate; GA 26; GA 27; GA 112; GA 230; GA 257
24
At end of road, turn right onto US 341; US 129 Alternate; GA 27; GA 112; GA 230; GA 257
0.5 mi·1 min·Broad Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
25
Turn left onto GA 27; GA 257
0.8 mi·1 min·McCormick Avenue
Use the left lane.
26
Continue on GA 27; GA 257
3.0 mi·4 min·Vienna Highway
27
Turn slight left onto GA 257
9.4 mi·12 min·Cordele Highway
28
Continue on GA 257
16 mi·21 min·Hawkinsville Road
29
Turn left
0.5 mi·59 sec
Toward I-75 South: ValdostaUse the left lane.
30
Merge onto I 75
2.1 mi·2 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 99Toward GA 300 South: Georgia-Florida Parkway, AlbanyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Turn right onto GA 300
35 mi·43 min·Georgia-Florida Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
33
Merge onto US 82; GA 300; GA 520
1.5 mi·2 min·Clark Avenue
Use the right lane.
34
Take the exit onto GA 300
0.4 mi·46 sec·GA 300
Use the right lane.
35
Merge onto US 19; GA 3; GA 133; GA 300
4.3 mi·5 min·Liberty Expressway
Use the left lane.
36
Take the exit onto US 19; GA 3; GA 300
29 mi·35 min·Liberty Expressway
Use the straight lane.
37
Turn right onto GA 93
0.7 mi·1 min·Curry Street Northeast
38
Continue on GA 93
0.1 mi·13 sec·East Railroad Street Northeast
39
Turn right onto GA 93
316 ft·7 sec·Hand Avenue West
40
Turn right
173 ft·6 sec
41
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour 16-minute estimated drive time, you can comfortably complete this trip in a single day. Aim to depart Savannah in the morning to allow ample time for travel and any unexpected delays. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your journey. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest 114.5-mile stretch, and plan your refueling accordingly. The fuel cost estimate of $39 should help you budget.
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 128.2 miles from Savannah, GA, or about 2h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 114.5 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 56 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 128.2 miles or 2h 24m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pelham, 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 256.4 miles and 5h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 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 114.5 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 27
5 decision points cluster between mile 3 and 185 — 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
7
153.1 mi into trip|~3h in|US 341; US 129 Alternate; GA 27; GA 112; GA 230; GA 257 / Broad Street
At end of road, turn right onto US 341; US 129 Alternate; GA 27; GA 112; GA 230; GA 257 / Broad Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
182.5 mi into trip|~3h 42m in
Turn left toward I-75 South: Valdosta
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I-75 South: Valdosta
8
185 mi into trip|~3h 45m in
Take the exit toward GA 300 South: Georgia-Florida Parkway, Albany
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 99
Toward GA 300 South: Georgia-Florida Parkway, A...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.78 one way
$81.56 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg90 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$44.47
$88.93
premium
$4.78
$48.24
$96.48
diesel
$5.35
$54.01
$108.01
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: 89.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
76.9
0
$26.92
$12.31
Efficient EV
64.1
0
$22.44
$10.26
EV Truck/SUV
102.6
1
$35.90
$16.41
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Savannah, GA
Afternoon
in Savannah on Wednesday
Local time
3:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
NW 3 mph15% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Pelham, GA
Afternoon
in Pelham on Wednesday
Local time
3:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Mostly Cloudy
W 5 mph4% chanceLive forecast
67°F
Abbeville, GA
128 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
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 16m 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 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?
Expect to spend a significant portion of your time on the highway, with 82% of this route utilizing high-speed roads. The longest continuous stretch on Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway measures 114.5 miles, offering a good period of consistent cruising. After this, you'll transition to surface roads as you approach your destination. You'll notice the change from the more controlled environment of the highway to local traffic patterns.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
41 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 114.5 mi on Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway and Georgia-Florida Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 27 significant decision points across 256.4 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 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 153.1 miles (US 341; US 129 Alternate; GA 27; GA 112; GA 230; GA 257 / Broad Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
376 ft22 ft
Total Climb
713 ft
Total Descent
370 ft
Highest Point
376 ft
~183.1 mi in
Elevation Range
354 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 Savannah, GA to Pelham, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Albany along the way.
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 16m. Total distance: 256.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 114.5 miles on Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 17 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 Pelham, 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 17 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 153.1 miles (US 341; US 129 Alternate; GA 27; GA 112; GA 230; GA 257 / Broad Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Fort Pulaski National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Pelham, GA before the return drive.
