Moving to coastal Georgia usually means one thing: you’re trying to balance the rugged, high-tempo life of the "Dog-Face Soldiers" with the moss-draped, slow-burn charm of the Hostess City. If you’ve just been stationed at the home of the 3rd Infantry Division, you’re likely staring at a map trying to figure out if living in the city is worth the drive. Honestly, the trip from Fort Stewart GA to Savannah GA is more than just a line on a GPS. It is a daily gauntlet of log trucks, swamp fog, and the infamous Interstate 16 bottleneck.
It's about 40 miles.
On paper, that looks like a breezy 45-minute cruise. It rarely is. Depending on whether you're coming out of Gate 1 in Hinesville or sliding out the back way through Pembroke, your experience will vary wildly. Some people love the separation between work and home. Others find themselves spending $500 a month on gas and questioning every life choice they’ve ever made. Let's get into the weeds of what this drive actually looks like when you're doing it at 0500.
The Reality of the Fort Stewart GA to Savannah GA Commute
Most people think there’s one way in and one way out. Wrong. You basically have three main choices, and each one has a specific personality.
If you take GA-144 through the post, you’re dealing with tank crossings and the very real possibility of a 15-minute delay because a convoy decided to move at five miles per hour. It’s scenic, sure. You’ll see plenty of pine trees and maybe a deer that has a death wish. But if you’re trying to get to a 19:00 dinner reservation in Downtown Savannah, this route is a gamble.
Then there’s the GA-196 to US-17 route. This is the "scenic" way that takes you through Richmond Hill. It’s gorgeous when the sun is setting over the Ogeechee River, but the traffic in Richmond Hill has become a local legend for all the wrong reasons. The population boom in Bryan County means that US-17 often feels like a parking lot during school drop-off hours.
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Breaking Down the Interstate 16 Grind
Then we have the big one: I-16. For most people making the trek from Fort Stewart GA to Savannah GA, this is the default. You hop on at the Pembroke/Highway 280 exit or come up through Highway 67.
I-16 is a straight, flat, and remarkably boring stretch of concrete until you hit the I-95 interchange. That’s where the "Pooler Crawl" begins. Pooler used to be a sleepy little town; now, it’s a massive retail hub that sucks in every car within a fifty-mile radius. If you are hitting that interchange between 07:00 and 09:00, add twenty minutes to your ETA. Just do it. Your blood pressure will thank you.
Heavy fog is a legitimate safety hazard here. We're talking "can't see the bumper in front of you" thick. The coastal humidity meets the cool morning air over the marshes, and suddenly you’re driving through a bowl of clam chowder. National Weather Service data often highlights this corridor for low visibility, and it’s a leading cause of the multi-car pileups that occasionally shut the interstate down for hours.
Why People Choose the Long Drive
You might wonder why anyone would subject themselves to this daily. The answer is simple: Savannah is incredible, and Hinesville is... well, it’s a military town.
Hinesville has everything you need—the commissaries, the big-box stores, and some surprisingly good Korean BBQ like Yu-Chi’s. But it doesn't have the Forsyth Park strolls, the high-end dining on Victory Drive, or the proximity to Tybee Island. Many younger officers and NCOs, or families with civilian spouses working in the creative or medical sectors, choose the commute because they want a lifestyle that feels "un-military" once the uniform comes off.
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Living in the Starland District or Ardsley Park in Savannah gives you access to a world-class food scene. You’ve got the Grey, Elizabeth on Thirty-Seventh, and countless coffee shops like Foxy Loxy. For many, that 50-minute drive is the price they pay for being able to walk to a brewery on a Friday night.
The Hidden Costs Nobody Mentions
Let’s talk money. Because gas isn't the only expense when traveling from Fort Stewart GA to Savannah GA every day.
- Tires and Maintenance: Georgia heat eats rubber. Doing 80 miles round-trip daily means you’re hitting your oil change intervals every two months and replacing tires way faster than the manufacturer promised.
- The "Hinesville Tax": If you live in Savannah, you're likely paying more for housing. Much more. While the BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) for Fort Stewart is decent, it doesn't always stretch as far in the trendy Savannah zip codes (31401, 31405).
- Time: 10 hours a week. That’s roughly 40 hours a month spent in a car. That is an entire work week gone.
Navigating the Gateway to the Coast
If you’re dead set on the commute, you need a strategy. The smartest move? Aim for the "mid-point" areas.
Georgetown is technically part of Savannah but sits right on the edge of the wetlands. It shaves about 15 minutes off the drive compared to living downtown. You still get the Savannah address, but you’re much closer to the GA-204 (Abercorn Extension) which feeds right toward the post.
Berwick is another popular spot. It’s a master-planned area with its own grocery stores and amenities. It sits on Highway 17, making the jump to Fort Stewart relatively painless while keeping you close enough to Savannah for a $20 Uber ride to the bars.
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Pro-Tips for the Road
Listen, if you're going to do this, get an E-ZPass or Peach Pass. While there aren't many tolls directly between the two, having it for the occasional trip to Florida or up to Atlanta is worth it. More importantly, download a solid podcast app. You’re going to need it.
Also, watch out for the log trucks on Highway 144. These guys are the kings of the road out here. They aren't trying to be aggressive, but they are heavy, slow to stop, and often kick up debris. Keep your distance. A cracked windshield is a standard rite of passage for anyone frequenting the roads around Liberty and Bryan counties.
Making the Final Call
Is the move from Fort Stewart GA to Savannah GA worth it?
It depends on your priorities. If you have small kids and want a big yard and a three-minute commute to the motor pool, stay in Hinesville or Flemington. You’ll save money, sleep more, and have a lower stress level.
But if you’re someone who thrives on culture, history, and the beach, Savannah is calling. Just don't lie to yourself about the drive. It’s a commitment. It’s a lifestyle choice that requires a reliable car and a lot of patience.
Check the Liberty County and Chatham County traffic feeds before you leave. Accidents on the Savannah River Bridge or I-16 can ripple out and turn your 45-minute drive into a two-hour ordeal.
Actionable Steps for Your Move:
- Run the Math: Calculate your monthly fuel cost based on 400 miles per week. Compare that against the difference in rent between Hinesville and Savannah.
- Test the Drive: Do not sign a lease in Savannah without driving from the potential apartment to your specific unit’s gate at 06:00 on a Tuesday. Mid-day Saturday traffic is not a realistic test.
- Explore Richmond Hill: Use it as a middle ground. It offers some of the best schools in the state (Bryan County Schools) and splits the distance perfectly, though housing prices reflect that demand.
- Gate Access: Remember that not all gates at Fort Stewart are open 24/7. If you live in Savannah, you’ll likely use Gate 1 (Main Gate) or Gate 5, but check the current Garrison hours as they can change based on force protection levels.