Planning a trip from Thomson, Georgia, to Savannah, Georgia? This 139.8-mile journey takes approximately 3 hours and 7 minutes and can easily be completed in a single day. You'll navigate primarily via Savannah Highway and Liberty Street, with a good portion of the drive on local roads. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $22. Given its manageable length and the $22 fuel cost, this route offers a straightforward option for a day trip between the Southeast region's charming locales.
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
69.9 miles from Thomson, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 40m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Savannah Highway
38.3 mi
44m
Liberty Street
30.1 mi
42m
Waynesboro Highway
22.7 mi
32m
Wrens Highway
17.8 mi
24m
North Columbia Avenue
13.4 mi
16m
Burton's Ferry Highway
4.4 mi
5m
Main Street
2.7 mi
4m
US 301 Business
2.6 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Savannah Highway
— 38.3 mi, about 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thomson, GA and Savannah, GA.
1
Start on GA 150
75 ft·9 sec·Gordon Street
2
Turn left onto GA 17; GA 223
0.4 mi·1 min·Main Street
3
Continue on GA 17
1.1 mi·2 min·Jackson Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Continue on GA 17
18 mi·24 min·Wrens Highway
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
5
Turn left onto GA 80
0.8 mi·1 min·Stapleton Highway
Use the straight lane.
6
Turn right onto GA 80
23 mi·32 min·Waynesboro Highway
7
At end of road, turn left onto GA 24; GA 80
0.2 mi·18 sec·GA 24; GA 80
8
Enter roundabout
144 ft·2 sec
9
Continue
240 ft·4 sec
10
Turn straight onto GA 24; GA 56; GA 80
1.3 mi·1 min·GA 24; GA 56; GA 80
11
Turn right onto US 25; GA 24; GA 121
30 mi·42 min·Liberty Street
12
Take the ramp onto GA 24
0.3 mi·39 sec·GA 24
13
Merge onto US 301; GA 24; GA 73
4.4 mi·5 min·Burton's Ferry Highway
14
Turn left onto US 301 Business; GA 73
2.6 mi·3 min·US 301 Business; GA 73
15
At end of road, turn left onto GA 21; I 3 FUT
0.3 mi·26 sec·Perimeter Road
16
Continue on GA 21; I 3 FUT
38 mi·44 min·Savannah Highway
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on GA 21; I 3 FUT
0.1 mi·7 sec·Augusta Highway
18
Continue on GA 21; I 3 FUT
13 mi·16 min·North Columbia Avenue
Use the straight lane.
19
Turn left onto GA 307; Alternate GA 21
1.1 mi·1 min·Bourne Avenue
Use the left lane.
20
Turn right onto GA 25
2.2 mi·3 min·Main Street
21
At end of road, turn left onto US 80; GA 26
465 ft·7 sec·Main Street
22
Continue on US 80; GA 26
2.5 mi·4 min·West Bay Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Turn left
117 ft·11 sec
24
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour, 139.8-mile drive, departing in the morning should allow you to reach Savannah with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. The $22 fuel cost is quite manageable, so plan your fuel stops accordingly, perhaps before leaving Thomson or when you see prices are favorable. Keep an eye on your navigation, as the 'Turn-heavy local drive' profile indicates frequent turns will be part of your journey, especially on roads like Waynesboro Highway.
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 69.9 miles from Thomson, GA, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 38.3 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 31 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 69.9 miles or 1h 40m 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Savannah, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Thomson, 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 Thomson, GA
This is one driving day of about 139.8 miles and 3h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Thomson, 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 Savannah Highway for about 38.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 69.9 miles from Thomson, 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 19.3 and 133.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
19.3 mi into trip|~28m in|GA 80 / Stapleton Highway
Turn left onto GA 80 / Stapleton Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
4
42.8 mi into trip|~1h 1m in|GA 24; GA 80
At end of road, turn left onto GA 24; GA 80
Navigation decision point
6
43 mi into trip|~1h 1m in
Enter roundabout
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
4
44.3 mi into trip|~1h 3m in|US 25; GA 24; GA 121 / Liberty Street
Turn right onto US 25; GA 24; GA 121 / Liberty Street
Navigation decision point
4
133.9 mi into trip|~2h 57m in|GA 307; Alternate GA 21 / Bourne Avenue
Turn left onto GA 307; Alternate GA 21 / Bourne Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.86 one way
$43.72 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg49 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$23.90
$47.81
premium
$4.70
$25.87
$51.75
diesel
$5.61
$30.87
$61.73
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
41.9
0
$14.68
$6.71
Efficient EV
35
0
$12.23
$5.59
EV Truck/SUV
55.9
0
$19.57
$8.95
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
16 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 Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Thomson, GA
Late night
in Thomson on Tuesday
Local time
5:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Sunny
W 2 to 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 5:50AM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 15 at 8:01PM EDT by NWS Peachtree City GA
Destination
Savannah, GA
Late night
in Savannah on Tuesday
Local time
5:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
86°F
Sylvania, GA
70 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 7m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is characterized as a 'Turn-heavy local drive,' meaning you'll experience a more engaging route with frequent changes in direction rather than a straightforward interstate cruise. With a highway share of only 3, expect a significant amount of time on local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 38.3 miles along Savannah Highway. This profile suggests a driving experience that requires more attention to navigation and pace compared to a high-speed freeway.
Only 3% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 38.3 mi on Savannah Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 19.3 miles in near GA 80 / Stapleton Highway.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 7m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 19.3 miles (GA 80 / Stapleton Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 42.8 miles (GA 24; GA 80): Navigation decision point; at 43 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
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.
The longest stretch is about 38.3 miles on Savannah Highway. 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 19.3 miles (GA 80 / Stapleton Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 42.8 miles (GA 24; GA 80): Navigation decision point; at 43 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Savannah, GA, but most travelers stay overnight.
