Laurens County I-16 West Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Savannah, GA to Temple, GA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 19m
Distance
287.6 mi
463 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$46
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 6m
★
6 AM
5h 19m
8 AM
5h 46m
10 AM
5h 29m
12 PM
5h 26m
3 PM
5h 30m
5 PM
5h 45m
8 PM
5h 11m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Savannah, GA
Wikimedia Commons
Temple, GA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Savannah to Temple is 287.6 miles and takes about 5h 19m via Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway and I-75, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Georgia, moving from the Southeast coastal region inland towards the central part of the state. With 98% of the drive on highways, it's a straightforward path that's ideal for a single-day excursion. Plan for a swift transit that prioritizes getting you to your destination 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
143.8 miles from Savannah, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 36m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway | 162.1 mi | 2h 54m |
| I 75 | 80.7 mi | 1h 29m |
| Ralph David Abernathy Freeway | 37.6 mi | 42m |
| West Bay Street | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Carrollton Street | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| William F. Lynes Parkway | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Fall Line Freeway | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| US 80 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway
— 162.1 mi, about 2h 54m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 125 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~5,725 veh/hr typical · worst 6,618
Quietest
2 AM
~939 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Temple, 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, Savannah
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward I 16 West: Macon
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 16
162 mi
·
2 hr 54 min
·
Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 16; GA 540
0.5 mi
·
39 sec
·
Fall Line Freeway
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
42 sec
Toward I 75 North: Atlanta
Use 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 left at fork onto I 75
19 mi
·
22 min
·
I 75
Toward I 75 North: Atlanta, Birmingham
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 247
Toward I 20 West, I 20 East: Birmingham, Augusta, Ralph David Abernathy Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 20 West: Birmingham
Use the slight left lane.
17
Merge onto I 20
38 mi
·
42 min
·
Ralph David Abernathy Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 19
Toward GA 113: Temple, Carrollton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn slight right onto GA 113
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Carrollton Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
20
Turn left onto Tallapoosa Street
442 ft
·
22 sec
·
Tallapoosa Street
21
Turn right onto GA 274
194 ft
·
3 sec
·
James Street
22
Arrive at destination
GA 274
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour drive, starting early in Savannah is recommended to make the most of your day. The route is efficient, so you'll only need one planned stop for fuel or a break. With only 162.1 miles on the initial highway segment, you can comfortably push through that portion before needing to stretch your legs. Be mindful of increased traffic density as you get closer to the Atlanta area, especially if you're traveling during peak commute 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 143.8 miles from Savannah, GA, or about 2h 36m 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 63 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 143.8 miles or 2h 36m 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 Temple, 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 287.6 miles and 5h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
144 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 63 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 143.8 miles from Savannah, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop 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.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
TA
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area #22 (Monroe County, I 75 Southbound)
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Laurens County I-16 East Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
I-16 Westbound Weigh Station
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Mr. Fuel Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Monroe County Weigh Station - I-75 Northbound
0.2 mi from route
JP Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
I-16 Eastbound Weigh Station
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
TA Express
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Monroe County Weigh Station - I-75 Southbound
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
RaceTrac
0.8 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
1.6 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
2.3 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 3 and 285.8 — 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
8
228.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 8m in
|
I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward I 75 North: Atlanta, Birmingham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 75 North: Atlanta, Birmingham
8
247.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 31m in
Take the exit toward I 20 West, I 20 East: Birmingham, Augusta, Ralph David Abernathy Freeway
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 247
Toward I 20 West, I 20 East: Birmingham, August...
8
285.8 mi into trip
|
~5h 15m in
Take the exit toward GA 113: Temple, Carrollton
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 19
Toward GA 113: Temple, Carrollton
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.74 one way
$91.49 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
101 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.41 | $49.88 | $99.75 |
| premium | $4.78 | $54.11 | $108.22 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $60.58 | $121.15 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 86.3 | 1 | $30.20 | $13.80 |
| Efficient EV | 71.9 | 0 | $25.17 | $11.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 115 | 1 | $40.26 | $18.41 |
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 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.
Origin
Savannah, GA
Afternoon in Savannah on Wednesday
Local time
3:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
NW 3 mph
15% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Temple, GA
Afternoon in Temple on Wednesday
Local time
3:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Mostly Cloudy
0 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
66°F
Monticello, GA
144 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
9 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 19m 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.
Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 247.9
View on nps.gov
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 168.6
View on nps.gov
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
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
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,...
18 mi from route
~46 min detour
$5
near mile 247.9
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend nearly all your time on highways, with 98% of the 287.6 miles on high-speed roads. The longest continuous stretch is 162.1 miles on Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway. Expect a rural cruising feel for much of the drive, transitioning to more traffic and exits as you approach the Atlanta metro area on I-75 and Ralph David Abernathy Freeway.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 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 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 18 significant decision points across 287.6 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 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,168 ft
22 ft
Total Climb
1,325 ft
Total Descent
179 ft
Highest Point
1,168 ft
~287.6 mi in
Elevation Range
1,146 ft
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 Temple, GA, road signs point toward Birmingham and Augusta.
Birmingham
228.6 mi in
|
~4h 8m
|
via I 75
Augusta
247.3 mi in
|
~4h 31m
About the Cities
Starting in Savannah, GA
Full guide →Founded 1733
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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 19m. Total distance: 287.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). 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.
Yes — we found about 32 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 Temple, 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 32 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 228.6 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park and Fort Pulaski National Monument (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Temple, GA before the return drive.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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