Savannah to St Augustine drive: Best stops, distance & time

Planning a Savannah to St Augustine road trip

The Savannah to St Augustine drive connects the most beautiful city in Georgia to the oldest city in the US.

St Augustine is the oldest continually inhabited city in the United States, and it has largely escaped heavy modernised development. Founded in 1565 by Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León.

In the compact, historic centre, there are several chintzy heritage attractions which are fun but not exactly brimming with centuries of authenticity.

The Spanish-built Castillo de San Marcos on the waterfront does pack that historic power, though. It should be sight number one before mooching around town.

Other St Augustine experiences include hop-on, hop-off trolley passes, sunset cruises and dolphin, manatee and sea turtle-viewing tours.

Savannah to St Augustine distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Savannah to St Augustine is 180 miles. With favourable traffic, that makes for a driving time of around two hours and 45 minutes. The quickest route is down the I-95.

The best stops on a Savannah to St Augustine road trip itinerary are St Simon’s Island, Jekyll Island and Jacksonville.

Savannah to St Augustine road trip attractions: St Simon’s Island

The most developed of the Golden Isles along the Georgia coast, St Simon’s Island can easily be used for fun in the sun. Barry’s Beach Service hires out bikes, kayaks, boogie boards and stand-up paddleboards while offering sailboat tours.

East Beach is the best bet for beach time, while for a bit of thigh-sapping exercise, you can climb to the top of the 104ft St Simon’s Lighthouse. There’s a small museum about the lighthouse and coastal Georgia inside.

Savannah to St Augustine drive: Jekyll Island

Around the turn of the 20th century, Jekyll Island was an exclusive escape for the super rich, but is now much more egalitarian. For shameless fun, the Summer Waves Water Park has slides and a wave pool.

But Jekyll Island’s highlight is the Georgia Sea Turtle Centre. Here, turtles are rescued and rehabilitated. Visitors can meet the turtles, and learn about the conservation work the Centre is undertaking.

To see slightly bigger creatures, you can hop on board a Jekyll Island dolphin cruise.

Best stops between Savannah and St Augustine: Jacksonville

Jacksonville is the biggest city in northern Florida, with a long string of beaches along the coast.

Top Jacksonville experiences include Amelia Island kayak tours, guided art and architecture tours by electric bike and electric skateboard rides along Fernandina Beach.

For cultural attractions, head to the Cummer Museum, where the strength tends to be the rotating temporary exhibitions.

The Casa Monica hotel in St Augustine, Florida.
The Casa Monica hotel in St Augustine, Florida. Photo by ArvidO/ Pixabay.

More Savannah road trips

Albany GA to Savannah | Atlanta to Savannah | Augusta to Savannah | Brunswick GA to Savannah | Columbus GA to Savannah | Dublin GA to Savannah | Hinesville GA to Savannah | Savannah to Jacksonville | Savannah to Jekyll Island | Macon GA to Savannah | Nashville to Savannah | New Orleans to Savannah | Riceboro GA to Savannah | Savannah to Tallahassee | Valdosta GA to Savannah.

More St Augustine road trips

Atlanta to St Augustine | St Augustine to Daytona Beach | Fort Lauderdale to St Augustine | Gainesville to St Augustine | Jacksonville to St Augustine | Miami to St Augustine | Ocala to St Augustine | Orlando to St Augustine | Tallahassee to St Augustine | Tampa to St Augustine.