Spanning 194.9 miles across the heart of Southeast Georgia, this trek from Tifton to Savannah is a straightforward trip that typically takes about 4 hours and 2 minutes. Because of the manageable duration, this drive is perfect as a one-day excursion, allowing you to reach the coast without needing an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $31 on fuel for the journey. By sticking to a mix of US 82, the Brunswick Highway, and I-95, you will find a reliable path that connects the inland region directly to the Atlantic coast. Whether you are traveling for business or a quick getaway, the route offers a balanced pace that keeps you moving efficiently toward your destination.
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
97.4 miles from Tifton, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 82
83.4 mi
1h 43m
I 95
55.4 mi
59m
Brunswick Highway
23.5 mi
31m
GA 99
15.8 mi
21m
Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway
8.3 mi
10m
Carswell Avenue
3.7 mi
6m
5th Street East
1.4 mi
2m
Memorial Drive
1.1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 82
— 83.4 mi, about 1h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tifton, GA and Savannah, GA.
1
Start on US 82; US 319; GA 35; GA 520
1.4 mi·2 min·5th Street East
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Continue on US 82; GA 520
15 mi·18 min·US 82; GA 520
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Continue on US 82; US 129; GA 11; GA 520
1.1 mi·1 min·US 82; US 129; GA 11; GA 520
Use the straight lane.
4
Continue on US 82; GA 520
26 mi·32 min·US 82; GA 520
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Continue on US 82; GA 520
25 mi·29 min·US 82; GA 520
Use the straight lane.
6
Turn left onto Carswell Avenue
3.7 mi·6 min·Carswell Avenue
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on US 1 Business
1.1 mi·1 min·Memorial Drive
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
8
Turn straight
459 ft·20 sec
9
Merge onto US 82; GA 520
0.1 mi·12 sec·Reynolds Street
10
Continue on US 82; GA 520
23 mi·31 min·Brunswick Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Continue on US 82; GA 520
4.8 mi·5 min·US 82; GA 520
12
Continue on US 82; GA 520
8.4 mi·11 min·US 82; GA 520
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 82; GA 520
3.0 mi·3 min·US 82; GA 520
14
Turn left onto GA 99
13 mi·18 min·GA 99
Use the left lane.
15
Enter roundabout onto GA 99
120 ft·1 sec·GA 99
16
Continue on GA 99
2.4 mi·3 min·GA 99
17
Enter roundabout onto GA 99
152 ft·4 sec·GA 99
18
Continue on GA 99
0.3 mi·26 sec·GA 99
19
Enter roundabout
181 ft·3 sec
Toward I 95 North: Savannah
20
Continue
0.5 mi·58 sec
Toward I 95 North: Savannah
21
Merge onto I 95
55 mi·59 min·I 95
22
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95
0.2 mi·13 sec·I 95
23
Take the exit
0.6 mi·41 sec
Exit 99AToward I 16 East: SavannahUse the slight right lane.
Exit 167AToward Martin Luther King Junior BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Turn left onto Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
0.8 mi·2 min·Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
28
Turn left onto GA 25 Connector
0.2 mi·21 sec·West Bay Street
29
Turn uturn
117 ft·11 sec
30
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Planning your departure for the early morning is your best strategy to maintain a steady flow and avoid potential traffic congestion as you approach the Savannah area. Since the drive is designed for a single day, you only need to budget for one primary stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep in mind that with $31 allocated for gas, it is wise to monitor your fuel gauge during the initial 83.4-mile stretch on US 82, as services may be more spaced out compared to the busier interstate sections. Flexibility is your greatest asset on this route, so feel free to adjust your pace based on your arrival needs. Always double-check your route before leaving Tifton to ensure you are comfortable with the transition from the Brunswick Highway onto the interstate.
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 97.4 miles from Tifton, GA, or about 2h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.4 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 43 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 97.4 miles or 2h 5m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 21m
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 Tifton, 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 Tifton, GA
This is one driving day of about 194.9 miles and 4h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Tifton, 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 82 for about 83.4 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 184.9 and 194.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
184.9 mi into trip|~3h 48m in
Take the exit toward I 16 East: Savannah
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 99A
Toward I 16 East: Savannah
6
193.1 mi into trip|~3h 58m in|I 16 / Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 16 / Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
193.7 mi into trip|~3h 59m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 167A
Toward Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
6
193.9 mi into trip|~3h 59m in|Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
Turn left onto Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
7
194.9 mi into trip|~4h 2m in
Turn uturn
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.48 one way
$60.96 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg68 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$33.32
$66.65
premium
$4.70
$36.07
$72.14
diesel
$5.61
$43.03
$86.06
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
58.5
0
$20.46
$9.36
Efficient EV
48.7
0
$17.05
$7.80
EV Truck/SUV
78
0
$27.29
$12.47
Gas CO2
68 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (66% 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 20, 2026
Origin
Tifton, GA
Morning
in Tifton on Tuesday
Local time
6:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Savannah, GA
Morning
in Savannah on Tuesday
Local time
6:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
88°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
2 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 2m 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 Frederica National Monument
National Monument
War was imminent as James Oglethorpe established Fort Frederica in 1736, to help protect the British colonies from the Spanish in Florida. Fort Frederica illustrates the story of the War of Jenkins Ea...
7 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 127.7
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
near mile 194.9
St Marys is the gateway to Cumberland Island, Georgia's largest and southernmost barrier island. Here pristine maritime forests, undeveloped beaches and wide marshes whisper the stories of both man an...
28 mi from route
~70 min detour
$15
near mile 114.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 84% of your time behind the wheel will be spent on high-speed roads. The journey begins with a significant 83.4-mile stretch along US 82, which serves as your longest uninterrupted segment before you transition toward the interstate system. As you merge onto I-95, the character of the drive shifts from local highway transit to a more consistent, fast-paced interstate grind. This transition provides a predictable rhythm, making it easy to maintain your speed as you navigate toward the coast. You will find that the lack of technical, winding roads makes for a relatively low-stress driving environment throughout the entire 194.9-mile span.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 83.4 mi on US 82.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 82 and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 184.9 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
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 194.9 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 184.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 193.1 miles (I 16 / Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 193.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Tifton is a city of 17,000 people (2019) in the Plantation Midlands of Georgia. Sites in the area include the Coastal Plain Research Arboretum, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, and the Georgia Museum of Agriculture & Historic Village. The Tifton Residential Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 2m. Total distance: 194.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 83.4 miles on US 82. 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 Savannah, 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: at 184.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 193.1 miles (I 16 / Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 193.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Fort Frederica National Monument, Fort Pulaski National Monument and Cumberland Island National Seashore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Savannah, GA, but most travelers stay overnight.
