Road Trips from Minnesota, GA
Planning your next escape from Minnesota, GA? This area is a great launchpad for day trips and short excursions, with most destinations reachable in under five hours. You've got options ranging from quick hops to nearby cities with extensive park access, to longer drives into gently rolling terrain. Several routes offer proximity to national parks, making it easy to incorporate nature into your travels. Whether you're looking for a straightforward highway drive or a more varied route, there's a trip here for you.
Total Routes
18
Shortest
3.6h
With Parks Nearby
18
Full-day getaway
Lithonia, GA
3h 47m185.1 mi one way
This is a solid choice if you want a quick, 3.8-hour drive to Lithonia, GA. It's a mostly highway route covering 185.1 miles with a high drive score of 9. You'll encounter mostly flat terrain, and it conveniently passes by Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park, Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, and Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.
Sandersville, GA
3h 36m175.2 mi one way
For a slightly shorter trip than to Lithonia, consider Sandersville, GA. This 175.2-mile drive takes 3.6 hours, offering a similar 'mostly highway' profile and a drive score of 9. The terrain is mostly flat, and you'll have Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park accessible on your way.
North Druid Hills, GA
3h 56m196 mi one way
This 196-mile route to North Druid Hills, GA takes 3.9 hours, primarily on highways with a drive score of 9. It offers access to three significant park areas: Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park, and Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. The terrain is mostly flat.
Clarkston, GA
3h 49m195.9 mi one way
Clarkston, GA is another option with a 3.8-hour travel time covering 195.9 miles. Like many routes from Minnesota, it's mostly highway with a drive score of 9 and mostly flat terrain. You can easily visit Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park, Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, and Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.
Weekend trip
14 total in this range
Jasper, GA
4h 55m252.5 mi one way
If you're looking for a longer drive with a higher drive score, Jasper, GA is a good pick. It's 252.5 miles and takes 4.9 hours, rated a 10 for its drive quality. This route features gently rolling terrain, a change from the flatter options, and includes access to Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park, Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, and Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.
Blue Ridge, GA
5h 33m284.3 mi one way
Go for Blue Ridge, GA if you prefer a longer excursion with a more varied drive. At 284.3 miles and 5.6 hours, it's one of the furthest options. The drive score is a perfect 10, featuring a mix of highway and surface roads with gently rolling terrain. You'll also pass by Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park, Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, and Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.
Ellijay, GA
5h 16m269.7 mi one way
Ellijay, GA offers a similar experience to Blue Ridge, GA, but is slightly closer. This 269.7-mile drive takes 5.3 hours with a drive score of 10. The route uses a mix of highway and surface roads and features gently rolling terrain. You'll also have access to Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park, Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, and Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.
Elberton, GA
5h 9m241.2 mi one way
Choose Elberton, GA if you prefer a route that sticks mainly to surface roads. This 241.2-mile trip takes 5.2 hours and has a drive score of 9. The terrain is mostly flat, and Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park is accessible along the way.
Buford, GA
4h 23m225.4 mi one way
This 225.4-mile trip to Buford, GA takes 4.4 hours, primarily on highways with a drive score of 9. The terrain is mostly flat, and you'll have access to Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, and Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park.
Browse by Mood
Jasper, GA
4h 55m252.5 mi one way
Blue Ridge, GA
5h 33m284.3 mi one way
Ellijay, GA
5h 16m269.7 mi one way
Elberton, GA
5h 9m241.2 mi one way
When to Go
Spring
Spring offers pleasant driving conditions on mostly flat terrain, with easy access to multiple national parks for blooming scenery.
Summer
Summer trips can leverage the proximity to Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area and other parks for outdoor activities.
Fall
The gently rolling terrain on longer routes provides scenic drives, complemented by park access for autumn exploration.
Winter
Winter drives are straightforward on mostly highway routes with consistently flat terrain, making park visits accessible.
Starting Somewhere Else?
Other nearby cities with their own escape planners.
Ready to plan?
Pick any destination above for full turn-by-turn directions, fuel cost, rest stops, and weather. Or visit the Minnesota, GA city hub for all incoming and outgoing routes.