Last updated October 30, 2026
You don't have to be a car person to enjoy the Savoy Automobile Museum. The building alone is worth the stop: a glossy red and silver campus at the north end of Cartersville, right off I-75. Inside, the floors shine like a showroom and every car has a story card next to it, so you walk out knowing more than you expected.
Savoy is one of four museums in Cartersville run by Georgia Museums, Inc., alongside Tellus Science Museum, Booth Western Art Museum and Bartow History Museum. That's why people call Cartersville Georgia's Museum City. Savoy is the newest of the group, and it's an easy pick for a rainy day, a cool fall afternoon or a stop on the way to the mountains. I went by myself and it was a pretty chill visit: no crowds to fight, plenty of room to take my time, and staff who were happy to talk cars.
The red and silver Savoy Automobile Museum building in Cartersville
At a Glance
Address: 3 Savoy Lane, Cartersville, GA 30120 (corner of US-411 and GA-20)
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm. Closed Mondays.
Admission: $17 adults, $7 youth (ages 3 to 12), free for kids 2 and under and active military with ID
Parking: Free on site
Time needed: 1 to 2 hours
Free guided tour: Highlight Tour most Wednesdays to Fridays at 11 am, included with admission
Good for: Families, couples, solo trips, rainy days, anyone with a car lover in the group
Phone: 770-416-1500
What You'll See Inside
Savoy rotates its exhibits roughly every month, so what you see depends on when you go. That's part of the appeal: a second visit can feel like a different museum. Here's what was on the floor during my visit, plus the exhibit dates so you can plan around them.
The lobby mural and displays for Cartersville's other museums
The lobby sets the tone with a huge painted SAVOY mural built out of classic car grilles, headlights and hood ornaments. Right below it are display cases for Cartersville's other museums, a nice reminder that you can easily turn this into a museum weekend.
A Cartersville tow truck that came home
One of the coolest pieces in the collection has a local story. The bright red 1965 Ford F350 Holmes 500 wrecker was bought new by City Motors, the Lincoln Mercury dealer in Cartersville, which had the wrecker body installed in Chattanooga. It worked for the dealership until it retired in the mid 1980s, and it has since been restored to like new condition. The hand lettered doors and the "Call EV2-5780" phone number are a little time capsule of the town.
The 1965 City Motors wrecker, bought new by a Cartersville dealership
One of Savoy's main galleries
National Treasures (through December 6, 2026)
This exhibit brings in eight vehicles from the National Historic Vehicle Register, a federal list of cars considered historically significant. The standout for a lot of people is the 1967 Dodge Deora, a gold custom pickup built by the Alexander Brothers. If it looks familiar, that's because it became one of the very first Hot Wheels cars.
The 1967 Dodge Deora, an original Hot Wheels car, in the National Treasures exhibit
Wartime Hero to Weekend Warrior: the Jeep exhibit (through November 8, 2026)
A blue lit gallery traces the Jeep from a World War II military workhorse to a weekend off roader. Look for the 1942 Ford GPW, a 1950 Willys-Overland Jeepster, a brown and orange striped Scrambler and the boxy cab-over Willys Forward Control pickup. This one closes November 8, so go soon if Jeeps are your thing.
The Wartime Hero to Weekend Warrior Jeep exhibit
The cab-over Willys Forward Control pickup
More galleries worth slowing down for
Two other rotating exhibits run into the new year: Innovation to a T, five variations of the Ford Model T (through January 10, 2027), and Founders' Favs, a group of favorite vehicles picked by founder Jon Oscher (through January 31, 2027). The permanent Savoy Collection rounds things out with pieces like a 1932 Rolls-Royce and a 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Nomad.
You'll also see vintage fire apparatus, a deep burgundy Porsche 928 parked near a 1940s Packard, cases full of trophies and die cast models, and a row of black Chevys from the '50s and '60s with whitewall tires.
A vintage Milan Fire Department truck
A Porsche 928 and a 1940s Packard near the trophy cases
A gallery of classic Chevys with whitewall tires
My Favorites
If I had to pick two, it's the Chevy 454 SS truck and the 1932 Rolls-Royce. They're about as opposite as two vehicles can get, which is kind of the point of Savoy. The 454 SS is an early '90s muscle truck, all black with a red bowtie and a big V8 under the hood. The Rolls-Royce is pure 1930s elegance, with that tall polished grille, giant headlamps and the Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament on top. Standing between them, you're looking at about 60 years of what people wanted from a vehicle.
The Chevy 454 SS, one of my two favorites
The 1932 Rolls-Royce, my other favorite
Both were on display during my visit. Exhibits rotate, so if you want to see them, ask at the front desk when you check in.
Talk to the staff
The best part of my visit wasn't on a placard. I ended up talking with some of the employees, and they shared stories about the museum's owner and their own favorite cars in the collection. If someone is nearby, ask them which car they'd take home. You'll get a story you won't find on any sign.
The art is part of the experience
Savoy isn't just cars on a floor. About 30 original artworks hang throughout the galleries and café, mostly paintings with an automotive theme. The long wall of car art is a good spot to slow down between galleries.
Original automotive art lines the galleries
Is the Savoy Automobile Museum Worth It?
If you're coming from Atlanta, it's about an hour's drive depending on traffic, and you'll spend $17 and one to two hours inside. Here's how I'd think about it:
Worth it if you like cars, history, design or just want a relaxed indoor outing. The rotating exhibits mean there's usually something new, and the building itself is impressive.
Make the drive count by pairing it with Etowah Indian Mounds, Tellus Science Museum or lunch in downtown Cartersville.
Go solo or go with a crew. I went by myself and had a chill, unhurried visit, and the staff made it better with their stories.
A Little History
Savoy Automobile Museum opened in December 2021 on a campus of roughly 35 to 37 acres at the north end of Cartersville. The museum building is about 65,000 square feet, with a Great Hall, four exhibition galleries, a presentation theater, a research library and the Savoy Café. Its mission is to connect people to the cultural diversity of the automobile, which is why the exhibits mix muscle, luxury, work trucks, race cars and art instead of focusing on one brand or era.
When to Visit
Weekdays are usually the calmest. Wednesday through Friday mornings also line you up for the free 11 am Highlight Tour.
Fall and winter are perfect. Savoy is all indoors, so it works on cold, rainy or extra hot days.
First full weekend of the month: Bank of America cardholders get free general admission (cardholder only, with photo ID).
Go when it's quiet if you want to chat. On a calm visit, staff have more time to share stories about the cars and the museum.
Check the exhibit dates before you go. Exhibits rotate about every 30 days, so if a certain car or theme is the reason you're going, confirm it's still up.
Mistakes to Avoid: What to Know Before You Visit
Showing up on a Monday. Savoy is closed Mondays. It's also closed New Year's Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas, and closes at 3 pm on Christmas Eve.
Going by old prices. A lot of sites still list $15 tickets. General admission is now $17.
Touching the cars. Most vehicles are roped off and there are "please do not touch" signs throughout. Remind little ones before you walk in.
Rushing it. Plan at least an hour, closer to two if you read the placards, catch the tour or stop to talk with the staff.
Skipping the rest of Cartersville. Etowah Indian Mounds, Tellus and downtown are all a short drive away. Make a day of it.
How to Get There
Savoy sits at the corner of US-411 and GA-20 at the north end of Cartersville, about 45 miles northwest of downtown Atlanta. From I-75, take the GA-20 exit toward Cartersville and follow signs to US-411. The museum is about three miles from Tellus Science Museum and about three miles from historic downtown Cartersville. Parking is free right outside the entrance.
FAQ
How much are tickets to the Savoy Automobile Museum?
General admission is $17 for adults and $7 for youth ages 3 to 12. Kids 2 and under and active military with ID get in free. Members get unlimited free admission. You can buy tickets online or at the front desk.
How long does it take to go through Savoy?
Most people spend one to two hours. Add time if you join the free Highlight Tour or stop at the café.
Is the Savoy Automobile Museum worth it?
For anyone who enjoys cars, design or history, yes. Tickets are $17, a visit takes one to two hours, and the exhibits rotate about every month, so repeat visits feel different. Pair it with other Cartersville stops to make the drive worth it.
How far is the Savoy Automobile Museum from Atlanta?
Savoy is in Cartersville, about 45 miles northwest of downtown Atlanta. Plan on roughly an hour each way, depending on traffic on I-75.
Is Savoy worth visiting alone?
Yes. It's a relaxed, self paced museum, and going solo makes it easy to linger at the cars you love and chat with the staff, who know a lot of the stories behind the collection.
Is Savoy good for kids?
Yes. Kids tend to love the Jeeps, the fire truck and the Hot Wheels connection with the Dodge Deora. Youth tickets are $7 and kids 2 and under are free. Just remind them not to touch the vehicles.
Is parking free?
Yes. Complimentary on site parking is available for all visitors.
Does Savoy offer guided tours?
Yes. A free Highlight Tour is included with admission and runs most Wednesdays to Fridays at 11 am.
Is Savoy open on Mondays?
No. Savoy is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm and closed Mondays.
Make It a Full Day in Cartersville
Savoy pairs perfectly with Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site, a short drive across town. Spend the morning with the cars, grab lunch downtown, then walk among 1,000 year old earthen mounds in the afternoon. Read my full guide: Etowah Indian Mounds: A Complete Visitor Guide.
Planning a bigger trip? Use Find a Trip to match a Georgia day trip to your style.
Browse more North Georgia guides and Metro Atlanta guides.
Heading toward the mountains after? Don't miss my North Georgia waterfalls guide.
Want company on your next adventure? Join the Explore Georgia Hiking Club. We host free group hikes across the state, and every pace is welcome.