How Far Is It from Savannah to Atlanta? Your Practical Travel Guide

If you’re in Atlanta, Georgia and planning a trip to the coast, you’re probably wondering: how far is it from Savannah to Atlanta, and what’s the easiest way to get there? Here’s a clear, Atlanta-focused breakdown of distance, travel times, and your best options for getting between the two cities.

The Basic Distance: Savannah to Atlanta

Driving distance:

• About 250 miles (roughly 250–260 miles)
• Route: Most drivers take I‑75 / I‑16 or I‑75 / I‑475 / I‑16 going between Atlanta and Savannah

Typical drive time:

• Around 3.5 to 4.5 hours one way
• Time depends on:
  • Traffic leaving/entering metro Atlanta
  • Weather and road conditions
  • Stops along the way (gas, food, rest areas)

For most people starting inside the Perimeter (I‑285), it’s realistic to plan for at least 4 hours door to door.

Main Ways to Travel Between Atlanta and Savannah

1. Driving from Atlanta to Savannah

For many Atlanta residents and visitors, driving is the most straightforward option.

Common starting points in Atlanta:

• Downtown (around Five Points, Georgia State area)
• Midtown (around Peachtree Street, Georgia Tech)
• Buckhead
• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

You’ll typically:

1. Get on I‑75 / I‑85 heading south or east, depending on your starting point
2. Connect to I‑75 South
3. Continue to I‑16 East near Macon
4. Follow I‑16 East directly into Savannah

Approximate drive times from popular Atlanta areas (in light traffic):

📝 Driving tips for Atlantans:

• Avoid rush hour when heading out of the city or returning:
  • Morning peak: ~7:00–9:30 a.m.
  • Evening peak: ~4:00–7:00 p.m.
• Many locals prefer to leave Atlanta mid-morning or early afternoon to bypass heavy commuter traffic.
• Gas, food, and rest stops are easy to find along I‑75 and I‑16, especially around Macon and Dublin.

2. Flying from Atlanta to Savannah

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

Airports involved:

• Departure (Atlanta):
  Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
  6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
• Arrival (Savannah):
  Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport
  400 Airways Ave, Savannah, GA 31408

Flight details:

• Nonstop flights are commonly available between ATL and SAV.
• Flight time: Usually around 45–60 minutes in the air.
• Total travel time door to door (from a home/hotel in metro Atlanta to a destination in Savannah) often ends up around 3–4 hours, once you include:
  • Getting to ATL (often 30–60 minutes from many Atlanta neighborhoods)
  • Security and boarding time
  • Taxi or rideshare from SAV into downtown Savannah

Flying may make sense if:

• You’re already at or near Hartsfield-Jackson (for example, on a layover in Atlanta).
• You prefer not to drive long distances.
• You’re connecting from another flight and continuing to Savannah.

3. Bus or Shuttle Options

There are intercity bus services that operate between Atlanta and Savannah, typically departing from locations near downtown Atlanta or Hartsfield-Jackson Airport and arriving at stations in or near Savannah.

While exact routes and providers can change, the general pattern is:

• Travel time: Often 4–5 hours or more, depending on stops and traffic.
• Pros:
  • You don’t have to drive.
  • Can be cost-effective compared with flying.
• Cons:
  • Less flexible timing than a car.
  • Total time may be similar to or longer than driving.

If you’re staying in central Atlanta (e.g., Downtown or Midtown) and don’t want to rent a car, a bus can be a practical option, especially for solo travelers.

How the Distance Feels in Real Life (Atlanta Perspective)

From an Atlanta point of view, Savannah is far enough away to count as a weekend trip or short getaway, but close enough that some people do it as a long day trip.

Is Savannah realistic as a day trip from Atlanta?

Yes, but it’s a long day.
You’re looking at 7–9 hours of round-trip driving plus your time in Savannah.

People in Atlanta sometimes do this for:

• A quick beach or riverfront visit
• A special event, wedding, or family gathering
• A college visit (e.g., Savannah College of Art and Design)

If you’re planning a day trip:

• Aim to leave Atlanta early (around 6–7 a.m.)
• Plan your return so you’re not driving late at night when tired
• Consider staying at least one night in Savannah if you want a more relaxed experience

For most Atlanta residents and visitors, one or two nights in Savannah feels much more comfortable.

Travel Time Compared with Other Georgia Destinations

If you live in Atlanta, here’s how a trip to Savannah stacks up against some other popular Georgia drives:

• Atlanta to Macon: ~1.5 hours
• Atlanta to Augusta: ~2.5 hours
• Atlanta to Columbus: ~1.5–2 hours
• Atlanta to Savannah: ~3.5–4.5 hours

So in terms of distance from Atlanta, Savannah is one of the longer in-state drives, comparable to going all the way down toward the Florida line.

Factors That Affect Your Atlanta–Savannah Travel Time

Even though the distance is fairly fixed, your door-to-door travel time can vary a lot depending on where in Atlanta you start and how you travel.

1. Where You’re Starting in Atlanta

• Inside the Perimeter (ITP) – Downtown, Midtown, Virginia-Highland, Grant Park, etc.:
  • Add at least 30–45 minutes to get out of the core and onto I‑75 south.
• Near I‑285 – Sandy Springs, Smyrna, Decatur:
  • Access to major interstates is easier; total drive time may be a little shorter.
• Farther northern suburbs – Alpharetta, Cumming, Marietta, Lawrenceville:
  • Add 30–60 extra minutes depending on traffic just to get to your main route.

2. Time of Day You Leave Atlanta

• Leaving Atlanta midweek at rush hour can easily add 30–60 minutes or more.
• Many locals heading to Savannah for a weekend try to:
  • Leave Friday morning instead of Friday evening, or
  • Leave later in the evening after peak rush (past ~7:00 p.m.).

3. Weather and Road Conditions

Heavy rain, road work, or accidents along I‑75 or I‑16 can quickly increase travel time. It’s wise to:

• Check a real-time traffic app before leaving.
• Build in buffer time if you’re catching a tour, dinner reservation, or event in Savannah.

Quick Reference: Atlanta to Savannah Trip Snapshot

Here’s a simple overview you can skim when planning your trip:

Atlanta to Savannah at a Glance

• Distance: ~250 miles one way
• Driving time: About 3.5–4.5 hours, depending on traffic and starting point
• Best driving route: I‑75 South → I‑16 East to Savannah
• Flight time (ATL to SAV): ~45–60 minutes in the air; total 3–4 hours including airport time
• Day trip possible? Yes, but long; more comfortable as an overnight or weekend trip

When Does It Make Sense to Drive vs. Fly from Atlanta?

For most Atlanta-area travelers:

Driving usually makes more sense if:

• You’re traveling as a family or group.
• You want flexibility to stop in places like Macon or Dublin.
• You’re starting from a suburb that’s already a distance from the airport (e.g., north Fulton, Gwinnett, Cherokee, Paulding).

Flying can make sense if:

• You’re already at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
• You’re connecting through Atlanta and heading straight to Savannah.
• You prefer to avoid long drives and are comfortable with airport logistics.

Key Takeaways for Atlanta Travelers

• Distance: Savannah is about 250 miles from Atlanta.
• Time: Count on around 4 hours by car in typical conditions.
• Options: You can drive, fly, or take a bus, depending on your budget, schedule, and comfort level.
• From an Atlanta perspective, Savannah is a reasonable weekend trip and a doable—but long—day trip if you plan carefully.

With these details, you can choose the route and timing that fit your Atlanta schedule and make the most of your visit to Savannah.