Origin
Savannah, GA
Night in Savannah on Saturday
Local time
10:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Savannah, GA to Russell, GA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 57m
Distance
235.3 mi
379 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 44m
★
6 AM
4h 57m
8 AM
5h 24m
10 AM
5h 6m
12 PM
5h 4m
3 PM
5h 8m
5 PM
5h 23m
8 PM
4h 49m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Savannah, GA
Wikimedia Commons
Russell, GA
Piotr Kowalonek
Trip Overview
This 235.3-mile journey from Savannah, GA, to Russell, GA, is a manageable one-day trip, estimated to take just under 5 hours to complete. You'll primarily travel on US 78 and GA 21, with a portion on the Carl Sanders Highway, offering a mixed driving experience. With a fuel cost estimated at $37, it's an economical option for exploring the Southeast. The route is designed for a single day of travel, so you can leave in the morning and arrive by afternoon. This drive offers a straightforward way to connect 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
117.7 miles from Savannah, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 33m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 78 | 42.6 mi | 51m |
| GA 21 | 41.9 mi | 48m |
| Carl Sanders Highway | 23.9 mi | 25m |
| Main Street | 19.5 mi | 26m |
| GA 56 | 13.7 mi | 19m |
| Augusta Road | 12.6 mi | 17m |
| University Parkway | 12.2 mi | 15m |
| Thomson Road | 11 mi | 13m |
Longest stretch:
US 78
— 42.6 mi, about 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Savannah, GA and Russell, 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, Lexington
Use the straight lane.
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 20 West: Atlanta
Use 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
42 mi
·
51 min
·
US 78; GA 10
29
Turn left onto US 78
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
·
US 78
Toward US 129 South, US 441 South, US 29 South, GA 10 Loop South, US 78 West, GA 10 West
30
Merge onto US 29; US 78; US 129; US 441; GA 8; GA 10 Loop; GA 15
5.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Inner Loop 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Take the exit onto US 29; US 78; GA 8
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
US 29; US 78; GA 8
Exit 1
Toward US 29 South, US 78 West, GA 316 West: Atlanta, Monroe
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
At end of road, turn left onto University Parkway
12 mi
·
15 min
·
University Parkway
Use the left lane.
33
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 27
Toward GA 53: Hog Mountain Road
34
Turn slight right
137 ft
·
3 sec
35
Turn right onto GA 8; GA 53
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Hog Mountain Road
36
Continue on East Midland Avenue
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East Midland Avenue
37
Turn right
236 ft
·
17 sec
38
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour and 57-minute duration, starting your drive in the morning is advisable to allow ample time for reaching your destination without feeling rushed. While the route has only one recommended stop, plan for brief breaks as needed, especially during the longest stretch of 42.6 miles on US 78. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $37, and it's always wise to refuel before your tank gets too low. This trip is well-suited for a single day, offering flexibility in your departure and arrival times.
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 117.7 miles from Savannah, GA, or about 2h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42.6 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 52 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117.7 miles or 2h 33m 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 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Russell, 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 235.3 miles and 4h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 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 US 78 for about 42.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
118 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 52 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 117.7 miles from Savannah, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 235 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 219.1 — 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.
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
8
219.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 34m in
|
US 29; US 78; GA 8
Take the exit onto US 29; US 78; GA 8 toward US 29 South, US 78 West, GA 316 West: Atlanta, Monroe
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 1
Toward US 29 South, US 78 West, GA 316 West: At...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.80 one way
$73.59 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
82 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $40.23 | $80.47 |
| premium | $4.70 | $43.55 | $87.10 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $51.95 | $103.90 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 70.6 | 0 | $24.71 | $11.29 |
| Efficient EV | 58.8 | 0 | $20.59 | $9.41 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 94.1 | 1 | $32.94 | $15.06 |
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
28 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.
Destination
Russell, GA
Night in Russell on Saturday
Local time
10:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
27 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 57m 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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
$10
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed drive on this route, with 55% of the mileage on highways. You'll encounter stretches on US 78, including one uninterrupted segment of 42.6 miles, which provides a good opportunity to maintain a steady pace. The roads will transition, moving from highway segments to other state routes like GA 21 and the Carl Sanders Highway. This variety means you'll experience different driving conditions throughout the 4-hour and 57-minute trip, keeping things interesting behind the wheel.
55% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 42.6 mi on US 78.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 Effort
10/10
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 23 significant decision points across 235.3 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 123.5 miles (I 520 / Bobby Jones Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Russell, GA, road signs point toward Lexington, Washington and Monroe.
Lexington
123.5 mi in
|
~2h 40m
|
via I 520
Washington
148.6 mi in
|
~3h 8m
Monroe
219.1 mi in
|
~4h 34m
|
via US 29; US 78; GA 8
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 57m. Total distance: 235.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 42.6 miles on US 78. 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 Russell, 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: 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 123.5 miles (I 520 / Bobby Jones Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Russell, GA, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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