How Far Is Atlanta to Savannah? Your Complete Guide to the Trip

If you’re in Atlanta, Georgia and planning a visit to Savannah, you’re looking at one of the most popular in-state trips. Whether you’re heading to the coast for a weekend, visiting family, or planning a day trip from Atlanta, it helps to know how far Atlanta is from Savannah and the best ways to get there.

Below is a clear breakdown of distance, travel time, routes, and transportation options specifically for people starting in or near Atlanta.

How Far Is It from Atlanta to Savannah?

In simple terms:

• Distance by road: About 250–260 miles one way
• Typical driving time: About 3.5 to 4.5 hours, depending on traffic and your exact starting point in Atlanta
• Straight-line (“as the crow flies”) distance: Around 220 miles

Most Atlanta travelers measure the distance door-to-door by car, which means planning on about 4 hours each way in normal conditions.

Main Driving Route: Atlanta to Savannah

For most people in the Atlanta area, the fastest and simplest way to get to Savannah is via I-75 and I-16.

Standard Route from Downtown Atlanta

From Downtown Atlanta (near the Georgia State Capitol):

1. Take I-75/I-85 South out of downtown.
2. Continue on I-75 South toward Macon.
3. Near Macon, merge onto I-16 East toward Savannah.
4. Stay on I-16 East until it ends in Savannah, where it becomes surface streets leading into the city.

Approximate distance and time:

• Distance: About 250 miles
• Time: Usually 3.5 to 4 hours in light to moderate traffic

This route is mostly interstate driving, which makes it straightforward and predictable for Atlanta residents and visitors.

Quick Comparison: Common Travel Options from Atlanta to Savannah

Here’s a simple overview to help you compare ways to get from Atlanta to Savannah:

Driving from Different Parts of Metro Atlanta

Because metro Atlanta is spread out, your starting point can add or subtract time.

From Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

• Distance to Savannah: About 250 miles
• Estimated drive time: Around 3.5 to 4 hours

From the airport area:

1. Get onto I-75 South from the airport access roads.
2. Continue toward Macon, then take I-16 East toward Savannah.

This is a common route if you’ve just arrived in Atlanta and are heading straight to the coast.

From Buckhead, Midtown, or Downtown

Most central Atlanta neighborhoods will feed you directly onto:

• I-75/I-85, then
• I-75 South, then
• I-16 East

Expect similar total distance (around 250–260 miles) with only minor variations.

From the Northern Suburbs (Alpharetta, Roswell, Marietta)

If you’re starting in the northern suburbs:

• You may take GA 400, I-285, or surface streets to connect to I-75 South.
• Once on I-75 South, the route is the same: to Macon, then I-16 East to Savannah.

Allow extra time (30–60 minutes) to get from your suburb to I-75, especially during rush hour.

How Traffic Affects the Trip

For people in Atlanta, the biggest variable is often traffic leaving the city, not the distance itself.

When the Trip Is Usually Fastest

You’ll often see smoother travel when:

• Leaving Atlanta mid-morning on weekdays
• Traveling midday on weekends
• Avoiding major holiday weekends and big game days

Once you are south of Macon, traffic is usually lighter and more consistent.

Times to Be Cautious

Your travel time from Atlanta to Savannah can stretch closer to 4.5 hours or more if you:

• Depart Atlanta during rush hour (roughly 7–9 a.m. and 4–7 p.m. on weekdays)
• Drive during holiday periods when many Atlantans are heading to the coast
• Hit road construction zones between Atlanta and Macon

Giving yourself an extra 30–60 minutes of buffer is usually smart, especially if you have a check-in time, dinner reservation, or tour booked in Savannah.

Flying from Atlanta to Savannah

If you’re short on time, you can fly from Atlanta to Savannah.

Basic Flight Details

• Departure airport:Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
  • 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
• Arrival airport:Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV)
• Flight time: Around 1 hour in the air
• Overall door-to-door time from central Atlanta: Often 3–4 hours, once you include:
  • Getting to ATL
  • Parking or transit
  • Security and boarding
  • Deplaning and baggage claim in Savannah
  • Transportation from SAV into Savannah

Flying does not always save much time compared with driving, but it can be more comfortable if you prefer not to drive or are already at the airport.

Bus Options Between Atlanta and Savannah

There are intercity bus services that connect Atlanta with Savannah. These typically:

• Depart from bus stations in or near Downtown Atlanta
• Use I-75 and I-16 or similar highway routes
• Take around 4.5 to 6 hours, depending on the number of stops and traffic

Bus travel can be useful for:

• Travelers without a car in Atlanta
• Visitors staying downtown who want to avoid renting a car
• People who prefer to relax or work during the trip rather than drive

Check schedules and routes carefully, as departure times and exact pick-up locations within Atlanta can vary.

Train Travel: Can You Take a Train from Atlanta to Savannah?

As of now, there is no simple, direct train route running straight from Atlanta to Savannah the way there is between some northeastern cities.

• Amtrak does operate in Georgia, but the main lines do not connect Atlanta and Savannah in a direct, time-efficient way without transfers and schedule coordination.
• For most Atlanta travelers, train travel is not the practical choice for this particular route.

If you specifically want a rail experience, it typically involves more planning and longer total travel time than driving or flying for the Atlanta–Savannah trip.

Is Atlanta to Savannah a Day Trip?

From Atlanta, the distance to Savannah technically allows for a long day trip, but there are trade-offs.

What a Day Trip Might Look Like

• Drive down in the morning: Leave Atlanta around 6:00–7:00 a.m.
• Arrive in Savannah: Around 10:00–11:00 a.m.
• Spend the day in the Historic District, River Street, or nearby
• Drive back: Leave Savannah around 6:00–7:00 p.m.
• Return to Atlanta: Around 10:00–11:00 p.m.

This can work, but it’s a long day of about 7–8 hours in the car.

More Common for Atlantans

Many people living in or visiting Atlanta prefer to:

• Turn Savannah into a weekend or 3-day trip, or
• Combine it with stops in Macon, Statesboro, or coastal destinations like Tybee Island

This makes the distance feel more manageable and gives you more time to enjoy the coast.

Practical Tips for the Drive from Atlanta to Savannah

A few Atlanta-specific tips can make the 250+ mile trip smoother:

1. Time Your Departure

• Aim to leave after morning rush or before afternoon rush when heading out of Atlanta.
• Consider Waze or similar navigation apps from within the city to route you around major congestion as you approach I-75.

2. Plan Fuel and Rest Stops

You’ll pass several cities and towns between Atlanta and Savannah, including:

• Macon – A common halfway stop for fuel, food, and restrooms.
• Smaller towns along I-16 – Often with gas stations and fast-food options close to the interstate.

Stopping once around Macon or along I-16 can break up the drive without adding much time.

3. Watch for Weather

From Atlanta to Savannah, weather can change from:

• Cooler, drier air in Atlanta, especially in winter or early spring
• Warmer, more humid conditions as you approach the coast

Heavy rain or storms can slow travel, especially on long stretches of I-16, which is more rural in parts.

Atlanta-Savannah Distance: What to Remember

If you’re in Atlanta and wondering how far it is to Savannah, keep these key points in mind:

• Driving distance: About 250–260 miles
• Typical drive time:3.5–4.5 hours one way from most parts of metro Atlanta
• Main route:I-75 South to Macon, then I-16 East to Savannah
• Flying: Around 1 hour in the air, but often 3–4 hours total with airport time
• Bus: Usually 4.5–6 hours, depending on route and stops
• Train: No direct, straightforward option between Atlanta and Savannah

For most residents and visitors, driving from Atlanta to Savannah is the most straightforward and flexible way to cover the distance between Georgia’s capital city and its historic coastal gem.