Tybee Island, GA to Alpharetta, GA is 291.7 miles and takes about 5h 36m via Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway and I 75, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Georgia, moving from the Southeast coast to the inland Southeast region. With a highway share of 98%, you'll be on interstates for the vast majority of this drive. This makes it a straightforward, efficient option if you're looking to cover ground quickly between these two points in a single day.
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
145.8 miles from Tybee Island, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway
163.6 mi
2h 56m
I 75
84.9 mi
1h 35m
Turner McDonald Parkway
11 mi
13m
State Route 26
7.6 mi
11m
T Harvey Mathis Parkway
7.1 mi
8m
US 80
4.7 mi
7m
Northeast Expressway
2.7 mi
3m
Islands Expressway
2.5 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway
— 163.6 mi, about 2h 56m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 139 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
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Tybee Island, GA and Alpharetta, GA.
Toward I 75 North: AtlantaUse the straight / left lanes.
14
Merge onto I 75
62 mi·1 hr 7 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
23 mi·28 min·I 75
Toward I 75 North: Atlanta, BirminghamUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85
2.7 mi·3 min·Northeast Expressway
Exit 251BToward I 85 North: Greenville
17
Keep slight right at fork onto GA 400
7.1 mi·8 min·T Harvey Mathis Parkway
Exit 87Toward GA 400 North: Buckhead, CummingUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on GA 400
11 mi·13 min·Turner McDonald Parkway
Use the right lane.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 9Toward Alpharetta, Haynes Bridge RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn left onto Haynes Bridge Road
1.3 mi·2 min·Haynes Bridge Road
Use the left lane.
21
Turn left onto GA 120
0.2 mi·21 sec·Old Milton Parkway
Use the left lane.
22
Turn right onto GA 9
0.3 mi·52 sec·South Main Street
23
Turn right onto Academy Street
139 ft·3 sec·Academy Street
24
Arrive at destination
Academy Street
Trip Plan
For this 5h 36m drive, consider leaving Tybee Island in the morning to avoid the busiest traffic. Since it's a single-day trip with a manageable distance, you have flexibility for stops. The longest stretch without a major road change is over 163 miles, so plan for at least one break for fuel or to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading onto longer highway segments, and budget around $48 for gas for this 291.7-mile route.
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 145.8 miles from Tybee Island, GA, or about 2h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 163.6 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 64 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 145.8 miles or 2h 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 4h 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alpharetta, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Tybee Island, 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 Tybee Island, GA
This is one driving day of about 291.7 miles and 5h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Tybee Island, 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 163.6 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 183.4 and 289.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
183.4 mi into trip|~3h 29m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 75 North: Atlanta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward I 75 North: Atlanta
8
246 mi into trip|~4h 37m 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
6
268.8 mi into trip|~5h 5m in|I 85 / Northeast Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85 / Northeast Expressway toward I 85 North: Greenville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 251B
Toward I 85 North: Greenville
9
271.5 mi into trip|~5h 9m in|GA 400 / T Harvey Mathis Parkway
Keep slight right at fork onto GA 400 / T Harvey Mathis Parkway toward GA 400 North: Buckhead, Cumming
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 87
Toward GA 400 North: Buckhead, Cumming
8
289.6 mi into trip|~5h 32m in
Take the exit toward Alpharetta, Haynes Bridge Road
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 9
Toward Alpharetta, Haynes Bridge Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.07 one way
$86.13 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg102 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$47.33
$94.65
premium
$4.49
$51.59
$103.17
diesel
$4.80
$55.08
$110.16
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
87.5
1
$30.63
$14.00
Efficient EV
72.9
0
$25.52
$11.67
EV Truck/SUV
116.7
1
$40.84
$18.67
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Tybee Island, GA
Late night
in Tybee Island on Sunday
Local time
5:33 AM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Mostly Clear
S 12 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 7:29PM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 7:20PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
Destination
Alpharetta, GA
Late night
in Alpharetta on Sunday
Local time
5:33 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
NW 5 mph25% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 7:29PM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 7:20PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
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 36m 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.
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...
1 mi from route
~1 min detour
Free
near mile 181
Caution: River Trail periodically closed under I-16
Park Closure: BOARDWALK CLOSED along the River Trail
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...
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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 271.5
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,...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
The majority of this 291.7-mile drive, 98%, is on highways. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 163.6 miles on Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway, which will likely feel like rural cruising before merging onto more developed interstate sections. Expect frequent exits and merging traffic as you approach and travel through more populated areas on I 75.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 163.6 mi on Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 183.4 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 14 significant decision points across 291.7 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 183.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 246 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 268.8 miles (I 85 / Northeast Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,134 ft11 ft
Total Climb
1,346 ft
Total Descent
222 ft
Highest Point
1,134 ft
~291.7 mi in
Elevation Range
1,124 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Tybee Island, GA and Alpharetta, GA, road signs point toward Birmingham and Cumming.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 36m. Total distance: 291.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 36m 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 163.6 miles on Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 28 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 Alpharetta, 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 28 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 183.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 246 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 268.8 miles (I 85 / Northeast Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park, Fort Pulaski National Monument and Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Alpharetta, GA before the return drive.
