You're standing on the cobblestones of River Street, maybe holding a to-go cup because, hey, Savannah laws allow that, and you're thinking about the salt air. It’s a common itch. You want the moss-draped oak trees and the haunted history, but you also want your toes in the Atlantic sand. People ask how far is Savannah Georgia from Tybee Island like it’s a simple math problem, but if you’ve ever been stuck behind a slow-moving boat trailer on a Saturday morning in July, you know "distance" is a relative term in the Lowcountry.
The literal answer? It’s about 18 miles.
If you’re driving from the heart of the Historic District—say, Wright Square or the area around The Olde Pink House—you’re looking at a 20-minute to 30-minute trip. Usually. But that depends entirely on the rhythm of the drawbridge and how many other people had the exact same idea at 11:00 AM.
The Geography of Islands and Marshes
Tybee Island is basically Savannah’s backyard beach. To get there, you’re mostly taking US-80 East. This isn't a high-speed interstate haul. It’s a scenic, two-lane-mostly-becomes-four-lane-then-back-to-two-lane trek across islands you’ve probably never heard of. You'll pass through Whitemarsh Island and Talahi Island. Then comes Wilmington Island. By the time you hit the McWhorter Bridge, you’re over the Bull River.
Look to your left and right. That’s the marsh. It’s vibrant, smells like "pluff mud" (which is an acquired scent, honestly), and is the reason the drive feels longer than 18 miles. You are literally driving over water and grass for a huge chunk of it.
The Bull River Bridge and the Lazaretto Creek Bridge are the two "choke points." If there is an accident on either, or if a tall sailboat decides it needs to pass through the Bull River drawbridge right as you’re approaching, that 20-minute drive just doubled. I've sat there for twenty minutes watching a mast crawl by. It’s peaceful if you aren't in a rush. If you have a dinner reservation? It’s a nightmare.
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Why the Mileage Varies
Depending on where you start in Savannah, the distance shifts.
- From Midtown (Abercorn Street area): You’re looking at closer to 22 miles. You'll likely take the Truman Parkway to cut over to US-80.
- From Southside Savannah (near Georgia Southern’s Armstrong campus): It’s nearly 30 miles. You’re looking at a 45-minute trek.
- From the Airport (SAV): This is the big one. It’s about 28 to 30 miles. If you just landed and want to go straight to the beach, expect a 40-minute Uber ride minimum.
The Reality of Traffic on Highway 80
Let's be real. US-80 is the only way in and the only way out. That is a massive detail people forget when planning their day. Locals call it "Tybee Time," and while that usually refers to the relaxed vibe of the island, it also applies to the traffic.
If you try to head out on a Saturday during Memorial Day weekend at noon, you aren't getting there in 20 minutes. You might not even get there in an hour. The line of cars can back up all the way onto Wilmington Island.
I always tell people to leave Savannah before 10:00 AM. Or, wait until after 2:00 PM. The "sweet spot" is early morning. Watching the sunrise at the Tybee Island Light Station and Museum is worth the 5:30 AM alarm. Plus, you’ll actually find a parking spot.
Parking on Tybee is its own beast. The island uses the "ParkTYB" system. It’s $4 per hour, every single day of the year, from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. They do not play around. The parking enforcement officers are legendary for their efficiency. If your meter expires at 2:00 PM, you will have a ticket by 2:05 PM. Honestly, it’s impressive and terrifying at the same time.
Can You Get There Without a Car?
Technically? Yes. Practically? It’s tough.
Savannah’s public transit, CAT (Chatham Area Transit), has historically offered a "Tybee Island Shuttle" during peak summer months, but it isn't always a year-round thing. You have to check their seasonal schedule.
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Uber and Lyft are plenty. A ride usually costs between $30 and $60 depending on surge pricing. Keep in mind that getting an Uber back from Tybee to Savannah at 10:00 PM on a Friday night can be a struggle. You’ll be competing with everyone else who just finished dinner at The Crab Shack or A-J's Dockside.
Some people ask about biking. Can you bike from Savannah to Tybee?
I wouldn't recommend it unless you are a very experienced cyclist comfortable with narrow shoulders and high-speed traffic. US-80 is not particularly bike-friendly once you get past the residential areas of Wilmington Island. The bridges are narrow. The wind coming off the marsh can be brutal. There has been talk for years about a dedicated "McQueens Island Trail" expansion, but check the current status of trail repairs before you go. Most of the old rail-to-trail path was destroyed by hurricanes and has been undergoing slow restoration.
Things You’ll See on the Way
The drive itself is part of the experience. It’s not just a "commute."
About halfway there, you’ll see the Fort Pulaski National Monument. If you have an extra hour, stop. This is where the Union army used rifled cannon for the first time during the Civil War, basically making brick fortifications obsolete overnight. It’s spooky, beautiful, and surrounded by hiking trails.
Then there's the Lazaretto Creek. "Lazaretto" is an Italian word for a quarantine station for maritime travelers. This is where ships carrying enslaved people were diverted to check for disease before they could enter the port of Savannah. It’s a heavy, somber piece of history that sits right at the entrance to the island.
Right after you cross Lazaretto Creek, you're on Tybee. You’ll see the "Welcome to Tybee Island" sign and immediately notice the speed limit drops. Respect the speed limit. Tybee police are vigilant.
Is the Distance Worth It?
People often wonder if they should stay in Savannah and drive to the beach, or stay on the beach and drive to Savannah.
If you’re a "foodie" and want the nightlife, stay in Savannah. The drive to the beach for a day trip is easy enough. If you want to wake up and hear the ocean, stay on Tybee.
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Just know that Tybee isn't Hilton Head. It isn't manicured. It’s "quirky." It’s "The Un-Hampton." You’ll see million-dollar beach houses next to 1950s cinderblock cottages with plastic flamingos in the yard. That's the charm.
Practical Next Steps for Your Trip
To make the most of the short distance between these two spots, you need a plan that accounts for the quirks of Georgia's coast.
- Download the ParkTYB App: Don't faff around with the kiosks. Just load the app on your phone while you're still in Savannah. It saves time and allows you to "add time" to your meter while you're still finishing your shrimp tacos at Sea Wolf.
- Check the Tide Tables: If you're going to Tybee for the beaches on the North End, the tide matters. At high tide, some of the beach disappears. At low tide, you can walk out for what feels like miles.
- Pack a Cooler: Savannah has great grocery stores (like the Kroger on Gwinnett or the Whole Foods on Victory). Tybee has a small market, but prices are higher. Grab your water and snacks before you leave the city limits.
- Time Your Departure: If you want to avoid the worst of the US-80 crawl, aim to leave Savannah before 9:30 AM. If you're heading back to Savannah after a day at the beach, try to leave Tybee before 4:00 PM or stay for dinner and head back after 7:30 PM.
- Monitor the Drawbridge: You can sometimes find local traffic groups on social media that post "Bridge is up!" alerts, but mostly, just look at Google Maps or Waze before you pull out of your driveway. If the line on US-80 looks dark red, grab another coffee and wait it out.
The distance is short, but the vibe shift is massive. You're moving from the structured, gridded elegance of Oglethorpe's city plan to a salt-crusted, laid-back island where shoes are mostly optional. It's the best 18-mile drive in the South.