Traveling from Alma to Atlanta covers 212.3 miles and takes approximately 3 hours and 33 minutes of drive time. Because this route involves a turn-heavy local drive rather than high-speed interstates, it is best approached as a dedicated day trip. You should budget around $34 for fuel to complete the journey. The path takes you from the Southeast region of Georgia toward the state capital, offering a transition from rural local roads to the dense urban environment of Atlanta. It is a straightforward trip that is manageable in a single day, provided you prepare for a focused drive on local thoroughfares.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
106.1 miles from Alma, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 21m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
80.3 mi
1h 29m
Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway
49.7 mi
53m
US 319
28.7 mi
39m
US 23
17.6 mi
26m
East Golden Isles Highway
16 mi
22m
North Pierce Street
6.3 mi
7m
Lumber City Highway
5.3 mi
7m
South 3rd Avenue
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 80.3 mi, about 1h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alma, GA and Atlanta, GA.
1
Start on GA 32
89 ft·5 sec·East 16th Street
2
Turn right onto US 1; US 23; GA 4
6.3 mi·7 min·North Pierce Street
3
Turn left onto US 23; GA 19
18 mi·26 min·US 23; GA 19
Use the left lane.
4
Turn right onto US 23; GA 19
301 ft·5 sec·Larry Contos Boulevard
5
Continue on US 23; GA 19
0.8 mi·1 min·Tallahassee Street
6
At end of road, turn left onto US 23; US 341; GA 19; GA 27
0.5 mi·55 sec·East Jarman Street
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on US 23; US 221; US 341; GA 19; GA 27; GA 135
1.0 mi·1 min·West Coffee Street
8
Continue on US 23; US 341; GA 19; GA 27
5.3 mi·7 min·Lumber City Highway
9
Continue on US 23; US 341; GA 19; GA 27
16 mi·22 min·East Golden Isles Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Continue on US 23; US 341; GA 27
0.8 mi·1 min·East Oak Street
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn slight right onto US 23; US 341; GA 27
0.8 mi·1 min·Railroad Street
12
Turn right onto US 280; US 319; US 441; GA 30; GA 31
1.6 mi·2 min·South 3rd Avenue
Use the right lane.
13
Turn left onto US 319; US 441; GA 31
28 mi·38 min·US 319; US 441; GA 31
Use the left lane.
14
Continue on US 319; US 441; GA 31; GA 117
0.3 mi·43 sec·US 319; US 441; GA 31; GA 117
Use the straight lane.
15
Turn left
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward I-16 West: Macon
16
Merge onto I 16
50 mi·53 min·Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway
17
Continue on I 16; GA 540
0.5 mi·39 sec·Fall Line Freeway
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·42 sec
Toward I 75 North: AtlantaUse the straight / left lanes.
19
Merge onto I 75
62 mi·1 hr 7 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
18 mi·21 min·I 75
Toward I 75 North: Atlanta, BirminghamUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 246Toward Fulton Street, Central Avenue, Georgia State UniversityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·59 sec
Toward Fulton Street, Zoo AtlantaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn right onto Fulton Street Southwest
0.2 mi·27 sec·Fulton Street Southwest
Use the left / right lanes.
24
Turn left onto Capitol Avenue Southeast
0.5 mi·56 sec·Capitol Avenue Southeast
25
Arrive at destination
Capitol Avenue Southeast
Trip Plan
Since the route relies entirely on local roads, plan for a steady pace rather than rushing, and build in at least one stop to break up the 3-hour and 33-minute duration. Departing early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid mid-day congestion as you approach the Atlanta area. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the stop-and-go nature of local roads can impact your consumption; while $34 is the estimated cost, having a little extra padding is always wise. Because the route is a turn-heavy local drive, ensure your GPS is updated and ready to handle frequent lane changes and turns. Flexibility is your greatest asset here, so take advantage of your single planned stop to rest properly before hitting the final leg 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 106.1 miles from Alma, GA, or about 2h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.3 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 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 106.1 miles or 2h 21m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Atlanta, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Alma, 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 Alma, GA
This is one driving day of about 212.2 miles and 4h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Alma, 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 80.3 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 24.9 and 211.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
24.9 mi into trip|~35m in|US 23; US 341; GA 19; GA 27 / East Jarman Street
At end of road, turn left onto US 23; US 341; GA 19; GA 27 / East Jarman Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
130.1 mi into trip|~2h 47m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 75 North: Atlanta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward I 75 North: Atlanta
8
192.6 mi into trip|~3h 55m 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
8
210.9 mi into trip|~4h 17m in
Take the exit toward Fulton Street, Central Avenue, Georgia State University
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 246
Toward Fulton Street, Central Avenue, Georgia S...
8
211.1 mi into trip|~4h 18m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Fulton Street, Zoo Atlanta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Fulton Street, Zoo Atlanta
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.18 one way
$66.37 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg74 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$36.28
$72.57
premium
$4.70
$39.27
$78.55
diesel
$5.61
$46.85
$93.70
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
63.7
0
$22.28
$10.19
Efficient EV
53.1
0
$18.57
$8.49
EV Truck/SUV
84.9
1
$29.71
$13.58
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 Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Alma, GA
Late night
in Alma on Sunday
Local time
12:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Atlanta, GA
Late night
in Atlanta on Sunday
Local time
12:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
27 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
4h 20m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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...
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 212.2
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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 124.4
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,...
18 mi from route
~45 min detour
$5
near mile 212.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a very different experience than a typical interstate trek, as this route features zero highway miles. You will navigate via North Pierce Street, Larry Contos Boulevard, and Tallahassee Street throughout the 212.3-mile journey. The profile is defined as a turn-heavy local drive, meaning you will need to stay alert for frequent intersections and directional changes. Because there are no long, uninterrupted highway stretches, you will spend your time navigating through local infrastructure rather than cruising at high speeds. This drive requires constant engagement with the road as you transition between these specific local transit corridors.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 80.3 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 24.9 miles in near US 23; US 341; GA 19; GA 27 / East Jarman Street.
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 212.2 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: at 24.9 miles (US 23; US 341; GA 19; GA 27 / East Jarman Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 130.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 192.6 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Alma, GA to Atlanta, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Birmingham along the way.
Atlanta is the vanguard of the New South, with the charm and elegance of the Old. It's a city that balances southern traditions with sleek modernism, and southern hospitality with three skylines and the world’s busiest airport. It's a city that has been burnt to the ground and built back up; seen the horrors of war; felt the pain of droughts and floods; and given birth to Martin Luther King, Jr., the greatest figure of the civil rights movement. Atlanta is the capital of the state of Georgia.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 20m. Total distance: 212.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 80.3 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 Atlanta, 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: at 24.9 miles (US 23; US 341; GA 19; GA 27 / East Jarman Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 130.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 192.6 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 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Atlanta, GA, but most travelers stay overnight.
