Wilmington Island, GA to Marietta, GA is 277.9 miles and takes about 5h 17m via Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway and I 75, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Georgia, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. With 94% of the drive on highways, you'll find it's a straightforward, mostly high-speed connection between the coast and Atlanta's northern suburbs. Plan for a single day of driving, as the total time is well within typical limits for a comfortable trip.
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
139 miles from Wilmington Island, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 39m 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
Horace E Tate Freeway
7.2 mi
8m
Larry McDonald Memorial Highway
7 mi
8m
Johnny Mercer Boulevard
3.5 mi
6m
US 80
3.5 mi
5m
East 37th Street
2.2 mi
3m
North Marietta Parkway
1.8 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 165 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 Wilmington Island, GA and Marietta, GA.
Toward I 75 North: AtlantaUse the straight / left lanes.
15
Merge onto I 75
62 mi·1 hr 7 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
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.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 75
7.2 mi·8 min·Horace E Tate Freeway
Toward I 75 North: Marietta, ChattanoogaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 75
7.0 mi·8 min·Larry McDonald Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi·30 sec
Exit 265Toward GA 120 Alternate: North Marietta ParkwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn left onto GA 120 ALT
1.8 mi·3 min·North Marietta Parkway
Use the left / straight lanes.
21
Turn left onto Church Street
0.4 mi·59 sec·Church Street
Use the left lane.
22
Arrive at destination
West Park Square
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 17m estimated drive time and 277.9-mile distance, leaving Wilmington Island in the morning should allow you to reach Marietta by afternoon. The route is primarily highway, so a single stop for fuel or a quick break should suffice. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the 163.6-mile mark on the Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway, as services might be less frequent compared to major interstates. The relatively short duration means you have flexibility if you decide to depart later in the day.
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 139 miles from Wilmington Island, GA, or about 2h 39m 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 61 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139 miles or 2h 39m 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 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Marietta, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Wilmington 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 Wilmington Island, GA
This is one driving day of about 277.9 miles and 5h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Wilmington 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 275.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in|Olde Towne Road
Turn right onto Olde Towne Road
Navigation decision point
7
175.7 mi into trip|~3h 19m 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
238.3 mi into trip|~4h 27m 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
261.1 mi into trip|~4h 55m in|I 75 / Horace E Tate Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 75 / Horace E Tate Freeway toward I 75 North: Marietta, Chattanooga
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: Marietta, Chattanooga
7
275.3 mi into trip|~5h 12m in
Take the exit toward GA 120 Alternate: North Marietta Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 265
Toward GA 120 Alternate: North Marietta Parkway
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.03 one way
$82.06 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg97 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$45.09
$90.18
premium
$4.49
$49.15
$98.29
diesel
$4.80
$52.47
$104.95
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
83.4
1
$29.18
$13.34
Efficient EV
69.5
0
$24.32
$11.12
EV Truck/SUV
111.2
1
$38.91
$17.79
Gas CO2
97 kg
EV CO2
33 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.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Wilmington Island, GA
Late night
in Wilmington Island on Sunday
Local time
4:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Mostly Clear
S 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 11:14PM EDT by NWS Peachtree City GA
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 11:07PM EDT by NWS Peachtree City GA
Destination
Marietta, GA
Late night
in Marietta on Sunday
Local time
4:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Partly Cloudy
NW 5 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 11:14PM EDT by NWS Peachtree City GA
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 11:07PM EDT by NWS Peachtree City GA
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
6 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 17m 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
~1 min detour
Free
near mile 258.8
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
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 172.5
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...
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,...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
$5
near mile 268.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 94% of the 277.9 miles on major roads like I 75 and the Horace E Tate Freeway. You'll experience a significant stretch of 163.6 miles on the Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway before transitioning to the interstate system. Expect numerous exits and merges as you navigate the highway sections, particularly as you approach the greater Atlanta area.
94% 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: 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 0.3 miles in near Olde Towne Road.
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 277.9 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 0.3 miles (Olde Towne Road): Navigation decision point; at 175.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 238.3 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,124 ft12 ft
Total Climb
1,236 ft
Total Descent
123 ft
Highest Point
1,124 ft
~277.9 mi in
Elevation Range
1,112 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Wilmington Island, GA and Marietta, GA, road signs point toward Birmingham and Chattanooga.
Marietta is a city of 61,000 people (2019) in Metro Atlanta. It is the fourth largest city in the state. Dobbins Air Reserve Base on the south side of town and a Lockheed Martin manufacturing plant are among the major industries in the city.
Top landmarks
•Marietta National Cemetery — veterans cemetery in Cobb County, Georgia, United States
•Aviation History & Technology Center — museum in Marietta, Georgia, USA
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 17m. Total distance: 277.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). 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 Marietta, 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 0.3 miles (Olde Towne Road): Navigation decision point; at 175.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 238.3 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 Marietta, GA before the return drive.
