Adel to Brookhaven is 212.8 miles and takes about 3h 59m via I 75, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays entirely within Georgia, connecting the Southeast region. You'll primarily be on the interstate, making it a straightforward trip focused on covering ground efficiently. With a recommended one-day drive, it's a good option if you need to get from South Georgia to the Atlanta area without much fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
106.4 miles from Adel, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
188.9 mi
3h 26m
Larry Justice Highway
15.9 mi
17m
North Druid Hills Road Northeast
1.9 mi
3m
Northeast Expressway
1.5 mi
1m
Buford-Spring Connector
1.4 mi
1m
Buford Highway
1.2 mi
2m
West 4th Street
0.9 mi
1m
Peachtree Road Northeast
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 188.9 mi, about 3h 26m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 296 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~4,873 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,953
Quietest
2 AM
~818 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Adel, GA and Brookhaven, GA.
1
Start on this road
109 ft·13 sec·this road
2
At end of road, turn left onto North Burwell Avenue
151 ft·10 sec·North Burwell Avenue
3
Turn right onto GA 37; GA 76
0.9 mi·1 min·West 4th Street
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward I-75 North: Macon
5
Merge onto I 75
117 mi·2 hr 5 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 475
16 mi·17 min·Larry Justice Highway
Exit 156Toward I 475 North: AtlantaUse the slight left lane.
7
Merge onto I 75
49 mi·53 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
23 mi·28 min·I 75
Toward I 75 North: Atlanta, BirminghamUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85
1.5 mi·1 min·Northeast Expressway
Exit 251BToward I 85 North: Greenville
10
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 86Toward GA 13 North: Buford HighwayUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto GA 13
1.4 mi·1 min·Buford-Spring Connector
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on GA 13
1.2 mi·2 min·Buford Highway
13
Turn left onto North Druid Hills Road Northeast
0.3 mi·37 sec·North Druid Hills Road Northeast
Use the left lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto North Druid Hills Road Northeast
1.5 mi·3 min·North Druid Hills Road Northeast
Toward North Druid Hills RoadUse the slight right lane.
15
Turn slight right onto GA 141
427 ft·12 sec·Peachtree Road Northeast
16
Turn right
139 ft·12 sec
17
Turn right
63 ft·9 sec
18
Turn left
347 ft·25 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short drive time of under 4 hours, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure. Leaving in the morning should allow you to reach Brookhaven with plenty of daylight to spare. The longest stretch on I 75 is nearly 189 miles, so plan for a fuel stop before you depart Adel or shortly after getting on the interstate to ensure you have enough for the drive, especially with the estimated $33 fuel cost. Consider a brief stop around the halfway point if you feel the need to stretch your legs before the final push into the city.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 106.4 miles from Adel, GA, or about 1h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 188.9 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 47 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 106.4 miles or 1h 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brookhaven, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Adel, GA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Adel, GA
This is one driving day of about 212.8 miles and 3h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Adel, GA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 188.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 211.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|North Burwell Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto North Burwell Avenue
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
8
118 mi into trip|~2h 8m in|I 475 / Larry Justice Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 475 / Larry Justice Highway toward I 475 North: Atlanta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 156
Toward I 475 North: Atlanta
8
183.3 mi into trip|~3h 18m in|I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward I 75 North: Atlanta, Birmingham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 75 North: Atlanta, Birmingham
7
207.6 mi into trip|~3h 49m in
Take the exit toward GA 13 North: Buford Highway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 86
Toward GA 13 North: Buford Highway
7
211.1 mi into trip|~3h 55m in|North Druid Hills Road Northeast
Keep slight right at fork onto North Druid Hills Road Northeast toward North Druid Hills Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward North Druid Hills Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.51 one way
$63.02 round trip
$3.76/gal25.4 MPG avg75 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.24
$35.54
$71.08
premium
$4.67
$39.11
$78.22
diesel
$5.76
$48.25
$96.50
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.5 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
63.8
0
$22.34
$10.21
Efficient EV
53.2
0
$18.62
$8.51
EV Truck/SUV
85.1
1
$29.79
$13.62
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Oct 17, 2026
Origin
Adel, GA
Morning
in Adel on Sunday
Local time
9:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Sunny
N 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued October 17 at 9:20AM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued October 17 at 4:53AM EDT by NWS Charleston SC
Destination
Brookhaven, GA
Morning
in Brookhaven on Sunday
Local time
9:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Sunny
N 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued October 17 at 9:20AM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued October 17 at 4:53AM EDT by NWS Charleston SC
48°F
Jackson, GA
106 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
6 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 59m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Welcome to Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park & Preservation District where a young boy grows up in a time of segregation. He was moved by destiny to lead the modern civil rights movemen...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 205.4
Welcome to Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park. This park is a prehistoric American Indian site, where many different American Indian cultures occupied this land for thousands of years. American...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
Free
near mile 124.7
Today the river valley attracts us for so many reasons. Take a solitary walk to enjoy nature’s display, raft leisurely through the rocky shoals with friends, fish the misty waters as the sun comes up,...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
$5
near mile 212.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is 89% highway, with a substantial 188.9-mile stretch on I 75. Expect continuous interstate driving for the majority of the route, which means frequent exits and potentially dense traffic as you approach the Atlanta metro area. Larry Justice Highway and North Druid Hills Road Northeast mark the transition to surface roads for the final portion of your trip.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 188.9 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Larry Justice Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North Burwell Avenue.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 212.8 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North Burwell Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 118 miles (I 475 / Larry Justice Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 183.3 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
974 ft239 ft
Total Climb
868 ft
Total Descent
132 ft
Highest Point
974 ft
~212.8 mi in
Elevation Range
735 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Adel, GA to Brookhaven, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Birmingham along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 59m. Total distance: 212.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 188.9 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Brookhaven, GA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North Burwell Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 118 miles (I 475 / Larry Justice Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 183.3 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park and Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Brookhaven, GA, but most travelers stay overnight.
