You’re standing in the middle of Broughton Street, ice cream from Leopold’s melting down your hand, and the humidity is starting to feel like a wet wool blanket. You need salt water. Specifically, you need to know how far is Savannah from Tybee Island before you commit to the drive.
It’s close. Really close.
Technically, the distance from downtown Savannah to the center of Tybee Island is about 18 miles. If you’re driving from the Historic District, you’re looking at a 20-minute trip on a good day. But "good days" in coastal Georgia are relative. On a holiday weekend, that 18-mile stretch of Highway 80 can feel like a trek across the Sahara.
The Geography of the Drive
Savannah isn’t actually on the ocean. It’s a river town, perched on a bluff overlooking the Savannah River. To get to the Atlantic, you have to head east. You’ll leave the moss-draped oaks of the city and head toward the marsh.
The route is basically one road: US-80 East.
As you leave the city limits, the landscape shifts dramatically. You pass through Whitemarsh Island and Talahi Island. These aren't "islands" in the tropical sense with white sand—they’re residential hummocks surrounded by vast expanses of Spartina grass. The air starts to smell like "pluff mud." If you aren't from the Lowcountry, pluff mud smells like a mix of salt, decaying marsh grass, and sulfur. Locals love it. Tourists usually check the bottoms of their shoes.
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Breaking Down the Miles
If you are measuring from specific landmarks, the distance fluctuates slightly. From the Savannah/Hilton Hilton Head International Airport (SAV), it’s closer to 28 miles, taking roughly 45 minutes depending on I-16 traffic. From the Midtown area near Victory Drive, you’re only about 15 miles away.
The Infamous "Bull River" Factor
There is a specific reason people ask how far is Savannah from Tybee Island with a hint of anxiety in their voice. It’s the bridges.
Specifically, the Bull River Bridge and the Lazaretto Creek Bridge.
These are drawbridges. If a tall sailboat decides it needs to pass through at 2:00 PM on a Saturday, the entire artery to the beach gets severed. Traffic backs up for miles. Because Highway 80 is largely a two-lane road once you hit the marshes, there is no "alternate route." You are either on the road or you are in the water.
Honestly, the physical distance is irrelevant compared to the "bridge time." Always check a live map before you leave the city. If that line on Google Maps is dark red near the Bull River, go grab another coffee and wait it out.
Why the Distance Matters for Your Itinerary
Most people try to do both Savannah and Tybee in a single day. It’s doable. You can have breakfast at The Collins Quarter downtown, spend the afternoon at the North Beach near the lighthouse, and be back in the city for a 7:00 PM dinner reservation at The Olde Pink House.
But you’ve got to be smart about it.
Parking Realities
Tybee Island is small. It’s only about three miles long. Because the distance from Savannah is so short, the island gets overwhelmed with day-trippers. Parking is enforced via pay stations and mobile apps (like ParkTYB), and they do not mess around. The "distance" between your car and a legal spot might be the hardest part of your journey.
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Transportation Options Beyond Driving
If you don't want to deal with the drive, you're somewhat limited. There isn't a train. There isn't a permanent ferry (though the idea gets floated every few years).
- Rideshare: Uber and Lyft operate between the city and the beach. Expect to pay anywhere from $30 to $60 each way. Be warned: getting an Uber on Tybee to go back to Savannah at 10:00 PM can be a nightmare.
- Shuttles: Some private companies offer shuttle services during peak festival seasons (like St. Patrick’s Day or Pirate Fest), but for a standard Tuesday in July, you’re likely on your own.
- Biking: People do it. Is it recommended? Not for the faint of heart. The McQueens Island Trail used to be the go-to, but coastal erosion has made parts of it tricky. Riding a bike directly on Highway 80 is basically a death wish due to the narrow shoulders and high-speed traffic.
The "Secret" Halfway Point: Fort Pulaski
About 15 miles into your 18-mile trip, you’ll see the entrance for Fort Pulaski National Monument. If the traffic toward Tybee looks backed up, pull in here.
It’s a Civil War-era masonry fort that changed the face of global warfare when rifled cannon fire breached its "impenetrable" walls in 1862. It’s managed by the National Park Service and offers incredible hiking trails and views of the Cockspur Island Lighthouse. It’s the perfect palate cleanser between the urban density of Savannah and the beach vibes of Tybee.
Seasonal Shifts in Travel Time
Winter is a breeze. In January, you can zip from Bull Street to the Tybee Pier in 18 minutes flat. The island is quiet, the wind is biting, and the distance feels like nothing.
Spring Break and Summer change the math.
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During the "Orange Crush" weekend or the 4th of July, that 18-mile drive can genuinely take two hours. The humidity makes the wait feel longer. If you’re visiting during peak season, the best advice is to "Beat the Heat or Stay the Night." Either get on the road by 8:30 AM or wait until after 6:00 PM to head out for a sunset walk.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that Tybee is a "resort" island like Hilton Head. It isn't. While Hilton Head is about 35 miles from Savannah and requires a more formal trek, Tybee is "Savannah’s Beach." It’s gritty, quirky, and unpretentious.
When people ask how far is Savannah from Tybee Island, they are often trying to decide where to book their hotel.
If you want history, nightlife, and walkable streets, stay in Savannah.
If you want to wake up to the sound of the ocean and don't mind a 20-minute commute to see the sights, stay on Tybee.
Don't try to find a "middle ground" hotel on the islands in between (like Wilmington Island). You’ll just end up in a suburban sprawl with a long drive to both locations. Stick to one end or the other.
Actionable Steps for Your Coastal Trek
To make the most of the short distance between these two Georgia icons, follow this checklist:
- Download the ParkTYB App: Don't waste twenty minutes hovering over a kiosk in the sun. Set up your payment info before you leave Savannah.
- Check the Tide Tables: If you're heading to Tybee to see the "Back River" (the sunset side), you want to know if the tide is high or low. Low tide exposes massive sandbars you can walk out on, making the beach feel twice as big.
- Monitor the Lazaretto Bridge: Use a real-time traffic app. If there’s an accident on the bridge, the distance effectively becomes infinite because there is no way around it.
- Pack for "Pluff Mud": If you plan on exploring the marsh side or the trails near Fort Pulaski, bring shoes you don't mind ruining.
- Hydrate in the City: Gas stations are sparse once you hit the stretch of highway through the marsh. Grab your water and snacks while you're still in Savannah proper.
The drive is beautiful. You'll see snowy egrets, maybe a wood stork, and miles of waving green grass. Just remember that in the Lowcountry, we don't measure distance in miles—we measure it in "how long the bridge stayed up."
Plan for twenty minutes, hope for fifteen, and prepare for forty. You'll be fine.