Thinking about living in Rincon while working in Savannah? You are not alone. Many buyers look north of town to stretch their budget and find more yard space, then wonder what the daily drive will feel like. In this guide, you will get clear, local context on commute times, housing costs, lot sizes, and when Rincon makes the most sense for you.
By the end, you will know how Rincon compares with closer-in spots like Pooler and Georgetown, plus a few smart ways to cut your drive. Let’s dive in.
Commute basics in Rincon
Rincon sits in Effingham County within the Savannah metro and runs along the GA‑21 corridor. That highway points you straight toward Garden City, the Port, and Savannah’s industrial hubs. I‑95 is a short hop east for regional connections. For a quick orientation, see the city overview for Rincon in Effingham County.
In normal, non-peak traffic, the drive from Rincon to downtown Savannah is roughly 18 miles and about 25 to 30 minutes. That estimate comes from point-to-point calculators like Travelmath’s Rincon to Savannah drive time. Expect longer during rush periods and after major events or weather.
Drive times to major employers
Actual drive time depends on where you start in 31326, your route, and your shift. These benchmarks help you compare:
- Downtown Savannah, Historic District and CBD. About 25 to 30 minutes off peak, roughly 18 miles, per Travelmath’s route snapshot.
- Hunter Army Airfield. Typically 30 to 40 minutes in normal traffic. Multiple sources place the drive around 26 miles and roughly mid‑30 minutes non-peak. See Rincon to HAAF distance for a baseline.
- Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV). Often 20 to 25 minutes depending on route and time of day. Use a live map before flights, though the baseline is captured in Travelmath’s estimate.
- Port of Savannah, Garden City Terminal. Commonly 15 to 25 minutes, with many listings placing Rincon about 12 to 15 miles from the terminal area. See a Rincon to Garden City distance snapshot via Distance-Cities.
- Gulfstream Aerospace, Savannah campus. The main campus sits in the Garden City/SAV industrial area. Commutes from Rincon are often 20 to 30 minutes depending on gate and shift. For location context, see the Savannah Chamber’s Gulfstream page.
- Fort Stewart, near Hinesville. This is a long daily drive from Rincon at about 49 to 51 miles and often 50 to 60 minutes in normal conditions. For distance context, check Rincon to Fort Stewart.
Daily commuting in 31326
Most Savannah-area commuters drive. County averages back that up. The U.S. Census reports a mean travel time to work of about 23.0 minutes in Chatham County and 32.3 minutes in Effingham County. You can use those as rough benchmarks when you compare neighborhoods. See the latest Census QuickFacts for context.
Public transit is limited for outer suburbs like Rincon. Chatham Area Transit runs fixed routes inside Savannah and has connections around Port Wentworth and the airport, but regular direct commuter coverage for Effingham addresses is narrow. Most Rincon residents will rely on a personal vehicle. Browse current routes and schedules on Chatham Area Transit’s site.
Rincon vs Pooler vs Georgetown: prices and space
If you are deciding between a shorter commute and a bigger lot, this quick snapshot helps frame tradeoffs. Note that portals report different metrics. Always check the date, whether it is a median sale or list price, and the exact geography.
- Rincon, ZIP 31326. As of Jan 2026, Redfin reports a citywide median sale price around $295,000. Other snapshots tied to 31326 show recent medians in the low to mid $300Ks. These figures can shift month to month.
- Pooler. Median sale prices often sit in the low to mid $300Ks depending on the neighborhood and product. Some list-price series run higher. Pooler’s mix of master-planned communities and proximity to I‑95, I‑16, the airport, and retail can carry a premium.
- Georgetown, west Chatham. Recent neighborhood snapshots place medians around $360,000. This area is closer to town than Rincon and has a wide range of product types and lot sizes.
Lot size and neighborhood character matter just as much as price:
- Rincon. Many single‑family neighborhoods and nearby non‑HOA pockets offer larger lots, often 0.5 acre and up, with some parcels at or above an acre. If you want space and a quieter suburban feel, this is a strong value proposition.
- Pooler. Expect a mix. Planned communities near Savannah Quarters feature more standardized footprints, often around a quarter to a bit over half an acre, while other Pooler areas closer to retail and multifamily nodes trend smaller.
- Georgetown and west Chatham. Lot sizes vary widely. You will see compact lots in older subdivisions and townhome pockets along with larger parcels near riverfront or plantation-adjacent areas.
Bottom line. Rincon often offers more house and yard for the money than closer-in areas. In exchange, you accept a 20 to 40 minute commute to many Savannah job centers. Pooler and west Chatham neighborhoods can shorten the daily drive, usually at a higher price point and with smaller average lots.
Who Rincon fits best
Use this simple checklist to test your fit:
- You value space and privacy. You want a larger yard, and you are comfortable with a 25 to 40 minute daily drive to most Savannah employers.
- You want a lower price band than some closer-in options. Rincon’s recent median sale data trends below many Pooler and Georgetown snapshots, depending on the series and month.
- Your job is at the Port, Gulfstream, or SAV. Commutes from Rincon to Garden City and the airport area are usually short to moderate.
- You work at Hunter AAF and can time your commute. Rincon is serviceable at about 30 to 40 minutes in normal traffic.
- You are assigned to Fort Stewart but do not plan a daily on‑post commute. Rincon is not ideal for everyday drives to Stewart at roughly 50 to 60 minutes one way. Consider living nearer to Hinesville or Richmond Hill if you must be on post every day.
Ways to cut your commute
A few practical moves can shave time and reduce stress:
- Check live maps before you roll. Static calculators are helpful for planning, but departure-time routing on your preferred map app is best for rush hour.
- Learn alternate routes. GA‑21 is the backbone, but local connectors to I‑95 and I‑516 can help you dodge backups when there is a slowdown.
- Shift your schedule when possible. Small changes in start and end times can make a big difference on the GA‑21 corridor.
- Carpool or coordinate with teammates. Especially for Port or Gulfstream shifts, matching schedules with coworkers can unlock HOV‑style efficiencies and reduce parking pressure.
- Stack errands near work. Plan gym, groceries, or appointments in Savannah so your return drive is off peak.
Military PCS pointers
If you are PCSing to Hunter Army Airfield, your commute from Rincon typically runs 30 to 40 minutes in normal conditions. Living in Pooler or closer-in Chatham neighborhoods usually shortens that drive. If you are assigned to Fort Stewart and need a daily on‑post commute, the 50 to 60 minute one-way distance from Rincon is a hurdle. In that case, consider communities nearer to Hinesville or Richmond Hill.
Effingham County schools that serve Rincon include Rincon Elementary, Ebenezer Middle, and South Effingham High. Countywide enrollment has been rising in recent years, according to local reports. You can review publicly available performance data on state and third-party sites; always verify attendance zones with the district.
PCS timelines and shift work are demanding, especially with kids, pets, or a VA loan in the mix. You do not have to figure it out alone. A local, veteran-led team that knows base logistics, neighborhood pros and cons, and VA financing can make this move smoother.
What to do next
If you want more yard and a calmer suburban feel, Rincon can be a smart choice for Savannah commuters. If a short daily drive is your top priority, Pooler or closer west-Chatham areas may fit better. Either way, you deserve clear options, current data, and a plan that matches your timeline and budget.
Have questions about neighborhoods, commute routes, or VA loan steps? Reach out to the veteran-led team at Trophy Point Realty Group for a free PCS and relocation consultation. We will help you compare locations, pressure-test your commute, and line up a smart purchase.
FAQs
Is Rincon a realistic daily commute to downtown Savannah?
- Yes. Off-peak drives are roughly 25 to 30 minutes for about 18 miles. Rush hour runs longer. For a baseline, see point‑to‑point estimates.
How long is the drive from Rincon to Hunter Army Airfield in normal traffic?
- Typical non-peak drives run 30 to 40 minutes depending on route and gate. See Rincon to HAAF distance context for a quick snapshot.
Does Rincon have direct public transit to Savannah job centers?
- Coverage is limited for outer suburbs. Most Rincon commuters drive. Review current routes on Chatham Area Transit.
What is the current median home price in Rincon?
- As of Jan 2026, Redfin reports a Rincon median sale price around $295,000, with some recent 31326 snapshots in the low to mid $300Ks. Prices shift monthly. Ask us for an up-to-date local MLS pull.
How far is Rincon from the Port of Savannah and Gulfstream?
- The Port’s Garden City Terminal is often 15 to 25 minutes from Rincon. Gulfstream’s Savannah campus is commonly 20 to 30 minutes. For context, see Rincon to Garden City distance and the Savannah Chamber’s Gulfstream page.
