Savannah to Washington, GA is 171.1 miles and takes about 3h 36m via GA 21 and Carl Sanders Highway, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Georgia, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. The route offers a mix of driving conditions, making it a straightforward, single-day excursion. It's a practical choice if you're looking for a direct connection between these two points without extensive planning.
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
85.6 miles from Savannah, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
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
Washington Road
10.8 mi
12m
Thomson Road
9.9 mi
12m
Bobby Jones Expressway
8 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
GA 21
— 41.9 mi, about 48m
Traffic on I-520
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~3,936 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~196 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
20.1×
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 Washington, 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, LexingtonUse the straight lane.
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 20 West: AtlantaUse 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
9.9 mi·12 min·Thomson Road
28
Turn left onto US 78 BUS; GA 10 BUS; GA 17 BUS; GA 47
1.6 mi·2 min·East Robert Toombs Avenue
29
Arrive at destination
US 78 BUS; GA 10 BUS; GA 47
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 36m estimated drive time, leaving Savannah in the morning allows ample time to reach Washington, GA before evening. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your trip. The fuel cost is estimated at $28, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before departing, especially since the longest stretch without a break is 41.9 miles on GA 21. Planning for this transition from highway to surface roads around Carl Sanders Highway will help you adjust your driving style accordingly.
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 85.6 miles from Savannah, GA, or about 1h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 41.9 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 38 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85.6 miles or 1h 48m 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 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Washington, 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 171.1 miles and 3h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 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 GA 21 for about 41.9 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 124.1 — 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.
5
116.1 mi into trip|~2h 32m in|I 520 / Bobby Jones Expressway
Merge onto I 520 / Bobby Jones Expressway
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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.24 one way
$50.48 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg60 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.23
$28.52
$57.04
premium
$4.67
$31.45
$62.90
diesel
$5.76
$38.79
$77.59
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.9 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
51.3
0
$17.97
$8.21
Efficient EV
42.8
0
$14.97
$6.84
EV Truck/SUV
68.4
0
$23.95
$10.95
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (67% 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 Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Savannah, GA
Late night
in Savannah on Monday
Local time
3:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Sunny
NE 13 to 18 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 18 at 9:42AM EDT until October 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Charleston SC
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued October 18 at 9:10AM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Destination
Washington, GA
Late night
in Washington on Monday
Local time
3:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Sunny
NE 10 to 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 18 at 9:42AM EDT until October 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Charleston SC
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued October 18 at 9:10AM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
75°F
Jackson, SC
86 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 36m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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
Park Closure: McQueen's Island Trail Closed Beginning August 3, 2026
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 44% of this 171.1-mile drive is on highways. You'll experience a 41.9-mile stretch on GA 21 before transitioning to surface roads like Carl Sanders Highway and Main Street. Expect a shift from more open highway cruising to navigating local thoroughfares as you approach your destination. This means you'll likely notice more intersections and varied speed limits after the highway portion concludes.
44% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 41.9 mi on GA 21.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 171.1 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 116.1 miles (I 520 / Bobby Jones Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
616 ft14 ft
Total Climb
705 ft
Total Descent
111 ft
Highest Point
616 ft
~171.1 mi in
Elevation Range
602 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 Washington, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Lexington 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 3h 36m. Total distance: 171.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 41.9 miles on GA 21. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 14 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 Washington, 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 14 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 116.1 miles (I 520 / Bobby Jones Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Fort Pulaski National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Washington, GA, but most travelers stay overnight.
